XRechnung-compliant invoices for the German market
Germany's Wachstumschancengesetz mandates e-invoicing in phases from 2025 to 2028. Frihet generates XRechnung 3.0 (CII and UBL syntax) with EN16931 validation. Download-and-submit workflow fully supported; automated AS4 PEPPOL B2G routing is roadmapped for Q3.
The German e-invoicing mandate (Wachstumschancengesetz)
The Wachstumschancengesetz (Growth Opportunities Act, effective April 2024) phases in mandatory B2B e-invoicing. From Jan 1 2025 all businesses must be able to receive structured e-invoices. From Jan 1 2027 SMEs with turnover under 800k EUR may still send paper; larger businesses must send structured invoices. From Jan 1 2028 all B2B invoices must be structured. B2G has been mandatory at federal level since 2020.
Jan 2025
B2B receive mandate
Jan 2028
Full B2B send mandate
XRechnung 3.0
Primary format
Technical requirements
Format: XRechnung 3.0 (CII or UBL)
Invoices must conform to XRechnung 3.0 (based on EN16931) in either CII or UBL 2.1 syntax. Both are accepted by German B2G portals and the Peppol DE network.
Leitweg-ID (B2G routing)
B2G invoices require a Leitweg-ID (three-part routing code, e.g. 991-12345678-00) supplied by the contracting authority. Frihet includes this field in the invoice form.
KoSIT schematron validation
The official KoSIT validator checks structural and business-rule compliance. Frihet validates CII/UBL structure; full schematron runs in weekly CI via a self-hosted KoSIT container.
Transport: download now, AS4 PEPPOL Q3+
Automated PEPPOL AS4 access-point routing for B2G is a Q3 roadmap item (requires a commercial PEPPOL access point, ~500-2000 EUR/month). Until then, download the XML and upload to the OZG-RE or recipient portal.
How Frihet handles German compliance
Generate, validate, download — no third-party access point required today.
XRechnung CII and UBL generation
Frihet generates XRechnung 3.0 in both CII and UBL syntax from your invoice data. The correct EN16931 profile is applied automatically.
KoSIT structural validation
Every generated invoice is validated against the XRechnung XSD schema before download. Full KoSIT schematron validation runs in weekly CI to catch rule changes early.
Leitweg-ID field in invoice form
The Leitweg-ID routing field appears automatically when the recipient country is Germany, ensuring your B2G invoices are routable to the correct authority.
PEPPOL AS4 routing — Q3 roadmap
Automated B2G routing via PEPPOL AS4 access point is planned for Q3. Until then, download the XRechnung XML and submit to OZG-RE or your customer's portal manually.
FAQ — XRechnung and Germany
When must German businesses send e-invoices?
All businesses must be able to receive structured e-invoices from Jan 1 2025. Sending becomes mandatory for larger businesses (turnover > 800k EUR) from Jan 1 2027, and for all B2B from Jan 1 2028.
Does Frihet support automated PEPPOL AS4 routing to OZG-RE?
Not yet. Automated AS4 PEPPOL access-point routing is a Q3 roadmap item. Currently, you download the XRechnung XML from Frihet and upload it to OZG-RE or your recipient portal. This covers all current B2G submission needs.
What is the Leitweg-ID?
The Leitweg-ID is a three-part routing code (e.g. 991-12345678-00) that identifies the recipient authority within the German federal administration. It must appear in the XRechnung BuyerReference field. Frihet includes a dedicated Leitweg-ID input when invoicing German public-sector buyers.
Is ZUGFeRD the same as XRechnung?
ZUGFeRD / Factur-X is a hybrid PDF/XML format embedding EN16931-compliant CII XML. XRechnung is a pure XML format. Germany accepts both for B2B; B2G procurement typically requires XRechnung for standalone XML. Frihet supports both formats.
What happens with the 2025 B2B receive obligation?
Începând cu 1 ianuarie 2025, nu mai poți refuza legal o factură electronică structurată de la un partener de afaceri german. Trebuie să deții un sistem capabil să proceseze facturi conforme cu XRechnung sau EN16931. Frihet generează și validează XRechnung conform astăzi, iar parsarea automată a facturilor structurate primite este în curs.
XRechnung-ready for Germany
Frihet generates and validates XRechnung 3.0 (CII and UBL). Download-and-submit today; automated PEPPOL routing Q3.
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