Forward-looking & EU-compliant:
Invoice creation and reading of invoice data
XRechnung 3.0
With PDF Xpansion SDK you can create these XRechnung XMLs directly as well as, using the “XRechnung” profile in the context of the ZUGFeRD standard as of version 2.0, a corresponding XML file embedded in a PDF/A-3 file. The UN/CEFACT syntax is supported by the PDF Xpansion SDK for creating and reading invoices. Import/export options are provided for invoices in UBL syntax.
ZUGFeRD including version 2.2
The PDF Xpansion SDK also supports all five profiles defined for ZUGFeRD from version 2.0.
Factur-X
The PDF Xpansion SDK supports all 5 profiles: EXTENDED, EN 16931, BASIC, BASIC WL and MINIMUM
The obligation to eInvoicing in Germany is coming!
- Legal basis: Growth Opportunities Act
- Phase (since 27.03.2024): Bundesrat has approved the compromise proposal of the Mediation Committee on the law, thus overcoming the last hurdle in the legislative process. The Growth Opportunities Act was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette on 27 March 2024. This means that the introduction of the mandatory use of eInvoicing from January 1, 2025 has been decided.
- So now there are only about 9 months left to deal with the topic before the law comes into force, to check existing software solutions for eInvoices and to design your processes accordingly from the outset. “Wait and see” would not be a good strategy – e-invoicing is coming!“
- Object: eInvoicing will only be mandatory between companies (B2B), exceptions to the obligation (for “small amounts” and tickets) and transitional regulations for the years 2025 to 2027 will apply
- Validity (eInvoicing area): 1.1.2025
- Basic definition: from 2025, eInvoices within the meaning of the law are only those invoices that comply with EU standard EN 16931
How does soft Xpansion tools support digital invoice formats?
For Developers
eInvoicing in PDF Xpansion SDK
Download Trial VersionTo PDF Xpansion SDK Page
eInvoicing Features in PDF Xpansion SDK
eInvoicing Features of PDF Xpansion SDK:
- Reading and technical (syntax, structure, completeness) validation of incoming ZUGFeRD, XRechnung (UN/CEFACT (CII) syntax) and Factur-X files, extracting XML-formatted invoices
- Reading and technical (syntax, structure, completeness) validation of XML-formatted invoices (all profiles, incl. Extended), extracting invoice data
- Creating XML-formatted invoices over SDK API – invoice content can be builded by calling the methods of SDK with invoice data (all profiles, incl. Extended), save XML-formatted invoices to the files
- Creating ZUGFeRD, XRechnung (UN/CEFACT (CII) syntax) and Factur-X conform files from XML-formatted invoices and visual represantion of invoice which can be:
- PDF file
- raster images (scanned pages of paper document)
- HTML file
- Text file
- dynamically builded document
- Transform (convert) XML-formatted invoices from one standard to other, for example from ZUGFeRD 1.0 to ZUGFeRD 2.1 or Factur-X
- Import XRechnung invoices (UBL syntax)
- Display the PDF part of invoice in PDF viewer
- Print the PDF part of invoice
- Visualization of XML invoices (PDF creation from XML and design template)
- Digital signatures for ZUGFeRD outgoing invoices, including all PAdES conformance levels.
- Incoming invoice stamped “RECEIVED”
- Support also of ZUGFeRD 2.2 & XRechnung 2.3
- Export of XRechnung invoices in UBL syntax
- Support of “Sub Invoice Lines” in XRechnung invoices (available only for “Extension XRechnung” and UBL syntax)
The following sample files* were created with the PDF Xpansion SDK
| File | Standard | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
x Preview: sx-inv-xr20.xmlThe representation is only for the first orientation. To get a detailed view, the sample files* can be downloaded here. sx-inv-xr20.xml | XRechnung 2.3 | XML file created based on existing financial data with the API |
x Preview sx-inv-zf21.xmlThe representation is only for the first orientation. To get a detailed view, the sample files* can be downloaded here. sx-inv-zf21.xml | ZUGFeRD 2.1 | XML file for embedding in PDF/A-3. Created based on financial data using PDF Xpansion SDK API |
x Preview: sx-inv-visual.pdfThe representation is only for the first orientation. To get a detailed view, the sample files* can be downloaded here. sx-inv-visual.pdf | ZUGFeRD 2.1 | Automatically created PDF file from an existing XML file. Used for visualization of XML invoices |
x Preview: sx-inv-zf21.pdfThe representation is only for the first orientation. To get a detailed view, the sample files* can be downloaded here. sx-inv-zf21.pdf | ZUGFeRD 2.1 | A PDF/A-3 invoice with correctly embedded, EN 16931-1 compliant XML file |
x Preview: sx-inv-signed.pdfThe representation is only for the first orientation. To get a detailed view, the sample files* can be downloaded here. sx-inv-signed.pdf | ZUGFeRD 2.1 | Above invoice with PAdES signature |
x Preview: sx-inv-stamped.pdfThe representation is only for the first orientation. To get a detailed view, the sample files* can be downloaded here. sx-inv-stamped.pdf | ZUGFeRD 2.1 | Incoming invoice stamped “RECEIVED” |
Information sources (English)
FeRD – electronic Invoicing in Germany
Factur-X EN – fnfe-mpe.org
European Standard for eInvoicing (Single Market Economy)
Information sources (German)
Startseite (e-rechnung-bund.de)
XRechnung – XStandards Einkauf (xeinkauf.de)
What is ZUGFeRD | Forum elektronische Rechnung Deutschland (ferd-net.de)
Draft Growth Opportunities Act, topic of eInvoicing anchored in VAT regulations (section “Important printed matter”, see Articles 29 and 30): DIP – Gesetz zur Stärkung von Wachstumschancen, Investitionen und Innovation sowie Steuervereinfachung und Steuerfairness (Wachstumschancengesetz) (bundestag.de)
General information - eInvoicing Formats
- Obligation to eInvoicing
- Tools
- Scheme
For Developers - Features in SDK
- Example Files
