Your ERP handles the books. Compliant outgoing e-invoices are the gap.
ZUGFeRD, XRechnung and Factur-X, from the same account. No integration project. No IT involvement. Your first compliant invoice goes out the same day you sign up. Your ERP stays exactly as it is.
No credit card. No time limit. All formats included.
- EN 16931 compliant by default
- EU data hosting
- GDPR
- 30 currencies (ECB rates)
- SEPA QR code payments
A common scenario: the ERP covers the parent, not the entity
Many of our users are subsidiaries, branches or recently acquired entities whose parent company runs an ERP centrally. The ERP handles incoming invoices, payroll and consolidation at the group level. Outgoing invoices to the entity’s own clients fall outside the scope of the central system, or the German localisation package has not been rolled out to the subsidiary yet.
Facturwise is the practical answer for this situation. The entity creates its own outgoing invoices in Facturwise, sends them directly to clients, and exports a monthly DATEV-compatible CSV to its accountant. The parent ERP is not involved. There is no integration to build and no IT approval required.
What Facturwise does for ERP users
ZUGFeRD 2.4: ready from day one
Your client requests a compliant ZUGFeRD e-invoice. Your ERP cannot generate it without configuration or a separate project. Facturwise generates the hybrid PDF with embedded XML, EN 16931 compliant, from the free plan, no activation needed. Your client receives a readable PDF. Their accounting system reads the embedded XML data automatically.
XRechnung for public authorities
Invoices to German federal, state and municipal bodies require XRechnung 3.0, a pure XML format. Facturwise generates it automatically. No portal. No extra software. Your ERP stays untouched. Your client provides the Leitweg-ID routing number and you enter it in one field. Facturwise handles the rest.
Factur-X for French clients
France’s e-invoicing reform requires Factur-X 1.0.8 under EN 16931 for B2B invoices. If your ERP produces a standard PDF, your French clients will not be able to process it automatically once the mandate takes effect. Facturwise generates Factur-X 1.0.8 from the same account. You choose the output format during onboarding and can change it at any time in Settings.
DATEV export for your accountant
A DATEV-compatible CSV export every month, on all plans including free. Your accountant gets exactly the format they know. Your bookkeeping stays unchanged. No new accounting workflow required.
All formats. All plans.
| Format | For | From plan |
|---|---|---|
ZUGFeRD 2.4 | German B2B clients | Free |
XRechnung 3.0 | German public authorities (B2G) | Free |
Factur-X 1.0.8 | French business clients | Free |
All formats comply with the European standard EN 16931. No hidden upgrades.
The German e-invoicing mandate: what applies and when
The Wachstumschancengesetz, approved by the Bundesrat on 22 March 2024 and published in the Bundesgesetzblatt on 27 March 2024 as BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 108, amended §14 UStG to introduce mandatory B2B e-invoicing in Germany in three phases.
- 1 January 2025
Reception obligation
All businesses established in Germany must be able to receive structured e-invoices from their suppliers. The German Federal Ministry of Finance confirmed in its guidance of 15 October 2024 that providing an email inbox is sufficient to meet this requirement.
- 1 January 2027
Issuance obligation for larger businesses
Companies whose prior-year turnover exceeded 800,000 euros must issue structured e-invoices for all domestic B2B transactions. Standard PDFs and paper invoices are no longer permitted for this group.
- 1 January 2028
Issuance obligation for all businesses
All companies established in Germany must issue structured e-invoices for domestic B2B transactions, regardless of turnover.
The accepted formats are ZUGFeRD from version 2.0.1 (excluding the MINIMUM and BASIC-WL profiles), XRechnung, and other EN 16931-compliant formats. Plain PDFs do not qualify.
Sources: BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 108; BMF circular III C 2 - S 7287-a/23/10001:007, 15 October 2024; European Commission Digital Building Blocks, eInvoicing in Germany.
What a compliant e-invoice actually is
A compliant e-invoice under EN 16931 is not a PDF. It is a structured data file where every invoice field (seller name, buyer VAT ID, line items, unit price, tax rate, payment terms) is mapped to a defined data element in the standard. The file must be machine-readable without manual intervention.
Hybrid PDF (ZUGFeRD and Factur-X)
A hybrid invoice is a PDF/A-3 file with a structured CII XML file embedded inside it. The human recipient sees a normal invoice PDF. Their accounting software extracts the embedded XML automatically. ZUGFeRD 2.4 is the current German version. Factur-X 1.0.8 is the French equivalent. Both are technically the same format under different national names and both comply with EN 16931.
Pure XML (XRechnung)
XRechnung is a pure XML file with no PDF component. It is mandatory for invoices to German federal, state and municipal bodies. Because it has no human-readable component, it is typically reviewed via an HTML visualiser before sending.
Simple pricing. No surprises.
5 invoices total
- ZUGFeRD 2.4, XRechnung 3.0, Factur-X 1.0.8
- DATEV-compatible export
- 5 saved clients
- Quotes and credit notes
- Expense and time tracking
- No credit card
- No time limit
per month · unlimited invoices and clients
- Everything in the free plan
- Unlimited invoices
- Unlimited clients
- SEPA QR code payments
- Quarterly tax summary CSV
- Analytics dashboard
per month · full automation
- Everything in the Advanced plan
- Automated payment reminders
- Automated recurring billing
- Automated recurring expenses
- White-label invoices (no Facturwise branding)
- Priority support
All prices excluding VAT. Cancel anytime. Compare all plans →
How it works
Create your invoice in Facturwise
Enter your client details, line items and payment terms. Facturwise generates the file in the e-invoicing format you set during onboarding. The format can be changed at any time in Settings. No manual XML editing.
Download or send
Facturwise generates the compliant file instantly. ZUGFeRD and Factur-X invoices are hybrid PDFs, readable by your client and processable by their accounting system. XRechnung invoices are pure XML, ready for submission to public authority portals. Download the file or send it directly from Facturwise.
Export to your accountant
At the end of each month, export a DATEV-compatible CSV. Hand it to your accountant or tax advisor. Your ERP bookkeeping continues exactly as before. Nothing in your existing process changes.
Concepts ERP users encounter when going compliant
The Leitweg-ID
When invoicing German federal, state or municipal bodies via XRechnung, the buyer provides a Leitweg-ID, a routing identifier that tells the submission system which authority and department should receive the invoice. Your client provides this number. You enter it in the buyer reference field in Facturwise. For invoices to private B2B clients, the Leitweg-ID is not required.
Buyer reference (BT-10)
BT-10 is the EN 16931 field for a buyer-assigned reference number. In German B2G invoicing it carries the Leitweg-ID. In B2B it may carry a purchase order number, a cost centre code, or a client-specific identifier. If your client asks for a reference number on the invoice, it maps to this field. Facturwise exposes it as the buyer reference field in the invoice editor.
Why not just configure your ERP
Your ERP partner will almost certainly tell you that your system can handle e-invoicing. In many cases that is technically accurate but operationally misleading. Here is what that usually means in practice.
For SAP S/4HANA and ECC, generating ZUGFeRD or XRechnung via SAP Document and Reporting Compliance requires the eDocument Framework to be active, the Application Interface Framework configured for German formats, and a cloud layer on SAP Business Technology Platform. A single-country rollout with standard content is typically scoped at four to eight weeks of implementation work.
For Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, full ZUGFeRD and XRechnung support arrived in version 26.3. Installations on older versions require a version upgrade first. Even on 26.3, real-world deployments have surfaced issues with IBAN mapping in XRechnung export, ZUGFeRD files sent with the wrong MIME type, and service invoice support only added in April 2026.
For Odoo, ZUGFeRD and Factur-X are available from version 12 via the accounting localisation module. XRechnung is available from version 14. Structured e-invoicing is intentionally restricted on the Odoo Online Free plan.
For Sage 100, full ZUGFeRD and XRechnung integration arrived in version 9.0.8. Installations below that version require an update first.
The common thread: each path requires your ERP partner, a version update, or an additional licensed module. None of them is available the same afternoon your client asks for a compliant invoice.
Facturwise takes a different approach. It does not touch your ERP. You create compliant outgoing invoices in Facturwise, send them to your clients, and reconcile via a monthly DATEV-compatible CSV to your accountant. Your ERP continues exactly as before.
Which ERPs have this gap
SAP S/4HANA and SAP ECC
SAP Document and Reporting Compliance (DRC) is the SAP-provided path for ZUGFeRD and XRechnung outgoing invoices. It requires the eDocument Framework inside the SAP system, the Application Interface Framework configured for German formats, and a cloud layer on SAP BTP. A single-country rollout is typically scoped at four to eight weeks. Many companies running SAP find their outgoing invoice module produces a standard PDF until DRC is configured in their specific installation.
See SAP-specific page →Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and NAV
Full ZUGFeRD and XRechnung (UBL only) support arrived in Business Central version 26.3 via the German E-Document framework. Installations on older versions require a version upgrade first. Even on 26.3, real-world deployments have encountered issues with IBAN mapping in XRechnung export, ZUGFeRD files sent with the wrong MIME type, and service invoice support only added in April 2026. Installations running Microsoft Dynamics NAV require either a migration to Business Central or a partner add-on such as BELWARE, which supports XRechnung and ZUGFeRD from NAV 2016.
See Business Central page →Odoo Community and Enterprise
Odoo supports Factur-X and ZUGFeRD via the accounting localisation module from version 12, and XRechnung from version 14. Structured e-invoicing is intentionally restricted on the Odoo Online Free plan. For Free plan users, and for any Odoo installation where the localisation modules have not been configured, Facturwise provides compliant output without any Odoo involvement.
See Odoo page →Sage 100
Full ZUGFeRD and XRechnung support is available in Sage 100 from version 9.0.8. An optional add-on provides enhanced automation including batch import and status tracking. Installations running versions below 9.0.8 require an update before e-invoice creation is available.
SAP Business One
SAP Business One supports ZUGFeRD via the Generic eDoc Protocol and the Electronic Document Service. The setup requires careful master data configuration including business partner records, item codes, tax codes and bank data. ZUGFeRD PDF import from existing files is available from Feature Package 2502. For installations where the configuration is not yet complete, Facturwise produces validated compliant output from day one.
DATEV Unternehmen Online
DATEV Unternehmen Online is primarily an accountant-facing platform for receiving, processing and booking incoming invoices. It is not an outgoing invoice creation tool. If your clients use DATEV and ask for ZUGFeRD invoices from you, Facturwise generates the compliant file. You send it by email. Your client’s accountant imports it into DATEV via the Upload Mail function, which reads the embedded XML automatically.
Lexware and Lexoffice
Lexware Office supports ZUGFeRD and XRechnung creation and processing. E-invoice creation requires at minimum the M plan. One limitation to be aware of: invoices in Lexware can only be created in euros. For businesses that invoice in multiple currencies, Facturwise supports 30 currencies with real-time ECB exchange rates alongside full e-invoice compliance.
sevDesk
sevDesk supports XRechnung and ZUGFeRD in all plans and supports invoicing in multiple currencies. If your clients require Factur-X for French clients, verify that your sevDesk version covers that format. Facturwise covers all major EN 16931 formats from the free plan.
Other ERP systems
If your ERP produces outgoing invoices as standard PDFs without embedded XML, it is not generating EN 16931-compliant e-invoices. The test is simple: open one of your outgoing invoice PDFs and check whether it contains an embedded XML file. If it does not, your invoices are not compliant. Facturwise closes that gap regardless of which ERP you use.
Frequently asked questions
Five invoices free. No credit card.
ZUGFeRD 2.4, XRechnung 3.0 and Factur-X 1.0.8. All formats, all plans.