German B2B e-invoicing mandate

E-Invoicing in Germany with ZUGFeRD and XRechnung:
the switch without the stress

Germany is introducing mandatory e-invoicing for domestic B2B transactions step by step - and the deadlines are fixed. We check what your system can already do and make the switch: ZUGFeRD or XRechnung, sending and receiving, older systems included. Fully remote.

  • Free e-invoicing check
  • Implementation from €1,000 excl. VAT, fixed price
  • Legacy systems can be connected
  • Fully remote, no on-site visit needed
Request the free check Which deadline applies to me?

In short: Bußmann IT (Patrick Bußmann, Algermissen near Hildesheim, Germany) handles the technical side of the German B2B e-invoicing mandate: creating invoices as ZUGFeRD or XRechnung, receiving and forwarding incoming e-invoices, including legacy systems such as IBM i (AS/400). The e-invoicing check is free; implementation starts at €1,000 excl. VAT at a fixed price. Everything is done remotely. This is not tax advice - please clarify tax questions with your tax advisor. Contact via the form below or by phone at +49 5126 804 77 37.

E-invoicing mandate 2027 and 2028: your deadline

Mandatory e-invoicing for domestic B2B transactions in Germany comes in three stages. Most businesses have enough time - if they start early.

already in force
1 Jan 2025

Receiving

Since this date, businesses must be able to receive e-invoices in domestic B2B transactions in Germany. As a rule, an email inbox is sufficient for this.

next stage
1 Jan 2027

Issuing above €800,000 turnover

Businesses with a prior-year turnover of more than €800,000 must issue e-invoices.

final stage
1 Jan 2028

Issuing for everyone

From this date, as a rule all businesses must issue e-invoices in domestic B2B transactions.

What counts as an e-invoice

  • XRechnung meets the requirements.
  • ZUGFeRD version 2.0.1 or later meets the requirements, except the MINIMUM and BASIC-WL profiles.
  • A regular PDF is not an e-invoice.

Exceptions and transition

  • Exceptions remain, among others for small-amount invoices up to €250 and for small businesses under the German small business scheme (Kleinunternehmer).
  • A transitional rule until the end of 2027 applies to EDI procedures.

Please note: This overview is not tax advice. Which obligations and exceptions apply to your company - including whether your business falls under the German rules at all - please clarify with your tax advisor. We take care of the technical implementation and are happy to coordinate directly with your tax advisor.

What we implement for you

From creating the XRechnung or ZUGFeRD invoice to incoming invoices landing in accounting - as much automation as makes sense for you.

Analysis of your current system

What can your ERP, merchandise management or invoicing software already do today? What is missing, and what is the simplest way forward?

Generating e-invoices

Output invoices as ZUGFeRD or XRechnung - directly from your system or via an intermediate layer that converts your existing data.

Connecting legacy systems

Older systems without e-invoicing support, too: we read the invoice data and generate valid e-invoices from it. Your familiar way of working stays largely the same.

Automating incoming invoices

Automatically collect incoming e-invoices, check them, display them in readable form and forward them to accounting or DATEV.

Checking and validation

Generated invoices are validated against the format specifications before they leave the company - so format errors never reach your customers.

Fully remote

Analysis, implementation and onboarding are done via remote access and video calls. No on-site visit is needed.

How we approach it - IBM i example

A company creates its invoices on an IBM system (AS/400 or IBM i) - with scripts that have grown over the years and run reliably. Replacing the system just for e-invoicing would be expensive and risky.

So we start with the existing data: the invoice data is read automatically and output as an e-invoice. The customer hardly has to change anything in their processes.

  1. 1

    Tap the data where it is created

    The existing scripts on the IBM system (AS/400 or IBM i) keep running as usual. The e-invoice builds on the invoice data that is already there instead of rebuilding the system.

  2. 2

    Read and convert automatically

    A lean intermediate layer reads the invoice data, checks it for completeness and generates a valid e-invoice in the right format.

  3. 3

    Validate and output

    Every e-invoice is checked against the format specifications and then provided for sending and archiving.

  4. 4

    Little changes for the team

    Staff keep working with the system they know. The effort required on the customer side stays low.

Prices

First the free check, then a fixed-price quote. All prices excl. VAT.

Starting point

E-invoicing check

Together we look at your invoicing processes and your system.

free
  • Analysis: what your system can do today
  • Assessment of what needs to be done
  • Clear recommendation for the next step
  • No obligation, via video call
Request the free check

Implementation

Your system generates or processes e-invoices - at a fixed price agreed in advance.

from €1,000 excl. VAT, fixed price
  • Outgoing: ZUGFeRD or XRechnung
  • Incoming: receiving and forwarding
  • Legacy systems can be connected
  • Testing and onboarding
Request implementation

Ongoing support

When formats, software or processes change, you stay up to date.

custom quote
  • Adjustments billed based on time spent
  • Or a fixed arrangement as needed
  • A contact person who knows your system
Request support

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does the German e-invoicing mandate apply to?
The mandate covers domestic B2B transactions in Germany, i.e. invoices between businesses within Germany. If your company does business in Germany, for example through a German entity, please check with your tax advisor whether and from when the obligations apply to you. We take care of the technical implementation.
Is a PDF sent by email no longer enough?
A regular PDF is not an e-invoice under the new rules. An e-invoice contains structured, machine-readable data - for example as XRechnung or as ZUGFeRD (version 2.0.1 or later, except the MINIMUM and BASIC-WL profiles). Please check with your tax advisor which transitional rules and exceptions apply to you.
Does a small business need to act now?
Businesses have been required to be able to receive e-invoices since 1 January 2025 - as a rule, an email inbox is sufficient. Issuing is required from 1 January 2027 if your prior-year turnover exceeds €800,000, otherwise as a rule from 1 January 2028. It pays to plan the switch without time pressure.
What exceptions are there?
Exceptions remain, among others for small-amount invoices up to €250 and for small businesses under the German small business scheme (Kleinunternehmer). A transitional rule until the end of 2027 applies to EDI procedures. Please check with your tax advisor whether and how this applies to you.
What is the difference between XRechnung and ZUGFeRD?
XRechnung is a pure XML file. ZUGFeRD combines a readable PDF with embedded XML data - people see a normal invoice, software reads the data. Both formats meet the requirements (ZUGFeRD version 2.0.1 or later, except MINIMUM and BASIC-WL). Which format fits better depends on your customers and your system.
Our system is old. Do we have to replace it?
Not necessarily. The invoice data can often be read from the existing system and converted into an e-invoice automatically. The free check shows whether that works in your case.
Does anyone need to be on site?
No. Analysis, implementation and onboarding are done fully remotely, via remote access and video calls.
Does this replace advice from my tax advisor?
No. We take care of the technical implementation. Tax questions - such as which exceptions apply to you - please clarify with your tax advisor. We are happy to coordinate directly with them.

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Request your free e-invoicing check

Tell us briefly what you use to create invoices today. We will get back to you and arrange a date for the check.

Subject

[E-Invoicing] Free check

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Email
patrick.bussmann@bussmann-it.de
Phone
+49 5126 804 77 37
Address

Patrick Bußmann
Hasenwinkel 1
31191 Algermissen

Response Time

Usually within one business day - by email or phone, whichever you prefer.