Introduction
ZUGFeRD is a German standard for electronic invoicing designed to bridge the gap between traditional invoices and digital formats. ZUGFeRD combines a standard PDF/A-3 invoice with an embedded XML file containing the structured data. This hybrid approach makes it especially popular in B2B transactions, as it allows both people and accounting software to work with the same document. It is fully aligned with the European NormEN 16931. It is worth noting that ZUGFeRD and Factur-X are a joint project between Germany and France, and their content is identical.
When referring to syntaxes, it is important to note that X-Rechnung, ZUGFeRD and Factur-X are all semantic data models. What this means is that they define the data that must be present in the invoice, but not the actual format of the data or the explicit name of the fields.To implement the semantic models, there are two syntaxes approved by the EU: UN/CEFACT Cross Industry Invoice (CII) and OpenOasis Universal Business Language (UBL).
Prerequisites
To convert invoices to ZUGFeRD format, ensure you have:- A valid API key and a basic understanding of the workflow engine and API.
- An invoice with:
- Supplier details (company name and required identities). Check the German regimes for specifics.
- Line items with name, price, and applicable taxes.
ZUGFeRD Setup
To issue ZUGFeRD invoices, follow these instructions in the Invopop Console:1
Connect the UN/CEFACT CII app
- Navigate to Configuration → Apps.
- Locate UN/CEFACT CII in the app discovery list.
- Click Connect to activate.
2
Configure invoice workflow
Running
In your invoice data, make sure to include the ZUGFeRD addon and state the regime as
DE.EN 16931-1.
Some example invoices are provided below, along with an example workflow to send the invoices to. We also recommend using the GOBL Builder to create your own invoices.
Be sure to set the regime field to DE in your invoices and include the ZUGFeRD addon. This will add extra validations to ensure the document is compliant with each standard.
Sample Invoices
ZUGFeRD B2C invoice
ZUGFeRD B2C invoice
ZUGFeRD B2C Invoice
ZUGFeRD B2B invoice with additional fields
ZUGFeRD B2B invoice with additional fields
ZUGFeRD B2B Invoice with additional fields
FAQ
How can I view an XML attached to a PDF?
How can I view an XML attached to a PDF?
For ZUGFeRD PDFs, the XML file is embedded within the PDF itself. To extract and view it, you can use the
Attachments section in Adobe Acrobat Reader.Alternatively, you can use specialized tools like the SysTools PDF Extractor to extract the XML file.