Scan, Sign & AI Chat
Mobile App
The mobile app pairs with your account via QR code and brings scanner, signature, chat and documents to your phone.
Free tool
Create an e-invoice
Fill in the form and download your e-invoice as a ZUGFeRD PDF or XRechnung. The tool calculates totals and VAT, and checks the finished file against the EN 16931 and XRechnung rules before you download it.
ZUGFeRD PDF and XRechnung 3.0 Created in your browser Checked before download
Create e-invoice
Fill in, check and download a ZUGFeRD PDF or XRechnung.
The invoice is created entirely in your browser and is not sent to PaperOffice. Your draft is only stored locally in this browser.
How it works
An e-invoice in three steps
-
Choose the format
ZUGFeRD PDF for business customers, XRechnung for public authorities or when your customer asks for it.
-
Fill in the form
Your details, the customer, line items and VAT treatment. The tool calculates net amount, VAT and total.
-
Check and download
The file is checked before download. If something is missing, you see exactly which field.
Which e-invoice do I need?
Mandatory e-invoicing in Germany
Since 1 January 2025, businesses in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices. For sending, transition periods apply: paper invoices and – with the recipient's consent – plain PDF invoices are allowed until the end of 2026. Businesses with a prior-year turnover of up to 800,000 euros may use them until the end of 2027. From 2028, all businesses issue e-invoices for domestic B2B sales.
Small businesses under Section 19 UStG and small-amount invoices up to 250 euros are exempt from the obligation to issue e-invoices. They still need to be able to receive them.
ZUGFeRD or XRechnung?
ZUGFeRD is a PDF that also contains the invoice data as XML. People read the PDF, accounting software reads the XML. For most business customers it is the simplest choice.
XRechnung is a pure XML file following the German standard for public contracting authorities. Authorities almost always require it, together with a Leitweg-ID as the buyer reference. Both UBL and CII syntax are allowed; most portals accept UBL. Both formats comply with the European standard EN 16931.
What goes into an e-invoice?
The usual mandatory details apply: name and address of both parties, tax number or VAT ID, a sequential invoice number, invoice date, delivery date or service period, quantity and type of goods or services, the amounts per VAT rate, the VAT amount or a note on the VAT exemption.
XRechnung additionally requires a contact person, phone and email for the supplier, the recipient's email address and a buyer reference. The form shows you what is still missing for the chosen format.
Checked before you send it
Before you download the file, the tool checks it against the business rules of EN 16931 and XRechnung: totals, VAT categories, mandatory fields, IBAN and Leitweg-ID. You can also open any file in the e-invoice validator. Questions about tax treatment are best answered by your tax adviser.
More with PaperOffice AI
Stop typing in incoming invoices
Writing invoices is one half. With PaperOffice AI your incoming invoices arrive automatically – as e-invoice, PDF, scan or photo – and are read, checked and filed in order.
- XRechnung and ZUGFeRD in the same flow as PDF and scans
- Header data, line items, totals and references as fields
- Arithmetic check and audit trail for every invoice
- Filing with a retention period per document type
FAQ
Questions about the e-invoice generator
Which format should I choose?
For business customers usually ZUGFeRD PDF: readable like any PDF invoice and machine-readable at the same time. For public authorities XRechnung, usually as UBL. If in doubt, ask your customer which format they can receive.
What is a Leitweg-ID?
The Leitweg-ID is the address of a German public authority for e-invoices, for example 04011000-12345-03. You find it in the purchase order or contract. For XRechnung invoices to companies, enter the reference your customer gives you instead.
Is my invoice data stored?
The invoice is created entirely in your browser and is not sent to PaperOffice. Your draft is only stored locally in this browser so that nothing gets lost. “Clear form” deletes it.
Can I create an e-invoice as a small business?
Yes. Choose “Small business (Section 19 UStG)” as the VAT treatment. The invoice then shows no VAT amount but the matching note. Without a VAT ID, the tool also enters your tax number as the seller identifier so that the invoice passes the rules.
How do I send the e-invoice?
By email as an attachment or through your customer's portal. German federal authorities use, for example, the central invoice receipt platform (ZRE) or OZG-RE, many federal states their own portals.
Can I create credit notes and corrected invoices?
Yes. Choose the document type at the top: invoice, partial invoice, corrected invoice or credit note. For corrections and credit notes, enter the number of the original invoice.
More tools
You might also find these useful
Free tools from PaperOffice AI for invoices, deadlines and documents.
