For freelancers and the self-employed
Accounting software for a few invoices a month? Not necessary.
Type your invoice as usual – E-Rechnungsfreund turns it into an e-invoice: a ZUGFeRD PDF for business customers or an XRechnung for public authorities, checked against the official KoSIT rules before you send it. All you need is a browser.
Invoice form instead of accounting software
An example
A web designer invoices an agency
A freelance web designer has finished a project for an agency. She selects the agency from her saved customers, enters two items with hours and hourly rate and generates the invoice.
She downloads a ZUGFeRD PDF: it looks like a normal PDF invoice and also contains the machine-readable XML that the agency's accounting needs. She sends it by email as usual.
What you get
Only the e-invoice part – without the overhead
Type it like before
Enter customer, items and amounts in the web form. Your sender details and customers are saved as templates, so the next invoice is quicker.
Checked before sending
Every invoice is checked with the KoSIT validator, Mustang and the EN 16931 Schematron. Messages link to a page on the rule, with an explanation where available.
Receive e-invoices too
Upload e-invoices from your suppliers (CII, UBL or ZUGFeRD PDF), have them checked and keep them in readable form in one place.
Questions and objections
What you might be wondering
Isn't it enough if I start in 2028?
Not for receiving: since Jan. 1, 2025, every business in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices from other domestic businesses – including small businesses under § 19 UStG.
Issuing becomes mandatory for supplies from Jan. 1, 2027 if your total turnover in the previous year exceeded 800,000 €, otherwise from Jan. 1, 2028. Until then you may still send paper invoices or – with your customer's consent – PDF invoices. Some business customers already ask for e-invoices or agree on them in the contract.
Is there an exception for small amounts?
Yes. Invoices with a total amount of up to 250 € gross (small-amount invoices, § 33 UStDV) may still be issued as other invoices.
I am a small business under § 19 UStG – does this concern me?
You do not have to issue e-invoices and may continue to send PDF or paper invoices (§ 34a UStDV). You must, however, be able to receive e-invoices – for example from your suppliers or service providers.
Do I need an ERP or accounting software?
No. You create the invoice in your browser and download the finished PDF or XML file. You keep using your existing tools for bookkeeping.
Not sure what applies to you?
Answer four questions and see from when you have to receive and issue e-invoices. Go to the e-invoicing mandate check