ZUGFeRD & XRechnung
Automatic generation of compliant e-invoices for Shopware 6, WooCommerce and other shop systems. XRechnung 3.0 compatible.
In plain words: what is this page about?
This page is about electronic invoices. ZUGFeRD and XRechnung are German formats for invoices that software can read. We help your shop create these invoices by itself. This works with Shopware, WooCommerce and other shop systems. Public offices in particular ask for such invoices. You can ask us how to set this up for your shop.
The Evolution of Invoicing: From Paper to XRechnung
In today's digital business world, the efficiency of business processes is crucial for a company's success. ZUGFeRD (Central User Guide of the Forum for Electronic Invoicing Germany) is a hybrid invoice format that contains both human-readable invoices in PDF format and machine-readable data in XML.
EU Directive 2014/55/EU governs invoices to public authorities, implemented at federal level by the German E-Invoicing Regulation (ERechV); there, XRechnung is the standard. Since 2025, the e-invoicing requirement has applied in stages between businesses as well. For these, ZUGFeRD from version 2.0.1 also meets the requirements alongside XRechnung, except for the MINIMUM and BASIC-WL profiles.
Our plugin solutions create invoices to XRechnung 3.0 and check them against the schemas and business rules of the EN 16931 standard before they are sent.
How Automation Works
From data extraction to validated XRechnung. Incoming invoices are read by AI document processing.
Data Extraction
Automatic extraction of all relevant invoice data from your shop: customer and supplier data, line items, taxes, payment terms and bank details.
- Shopware 6 & 5
- WooCommerce
- Magento
- Other systems
XML Generation
Conversion of invoice data into ZUGFeRD XML format according to XRechnung 3.0 standard. All required information is structured and prepared in compliance with regulations.
- XRechnung 3.0
- ZUGFeRD 2.1.1
- EN 16931 compliant
- Peppol compatible
PDF Integration
XML data is embedded into the PDF invoice document. The result is a hybrid document that is both human and machine readable.
- PDF/A-3 format
- Embedded XML
- Visually identical
- Archivable
Validation
Automatic verification of generated invoices against XRechnung schemas. Errors are detected before the invoice is sent.
- Schema validation
- Business rules
- Error reporting
- Correction suggestions
Transmission & Delivery
Automatic delivery of e-invoices via various channels: Peppol network, email, or direct upload to customer portals.
- Peppol transmission
- Email delivery
- Portal upload
- Status tracking
Archiving
Compliant long-term archiving of all e-invoices with complete audit trail and tamper-proof storage.
- Legally compliant
- Retention under § 14b UStG
- Audit trail
- Tamper-proof
Why Automate E-Invoicing?
Efficiency, compliance and faster payments
Time Savings
No more manual invoice creation. XRechnung invoices are automatically generated upon order completion.
Error Reduction
Automated processes reduce input errors and make data transfer more reliable.
Faster Payments
Machine-readable invoices are automatically processed – this accelerates payment receipt.
Legal Compliance
E-invoices to EN 16931, as required by German VAT law between businesses and by the E-Invoicing Regulation for federal public authorities.
Better Business Relationships
Professional, standards-compliant invoices strengthen trust with public authorities and business partners.
Audit-Proof
PDF/A-3 format enables audit-proof archiving in compliance with accounting standards.
Supported Systems
ZUGFeRD/XRechnung for all common e-commerce systems
Shopware 6 & 5
Native plugin solution for Shopware with full integration into the order process. Automatic XRechnung generation upon invoice creation.
- Shopware 6.5+ & 6.7
- Shopware 5 Legacy
- Admin integration
- API support
WooCommerce
WordPress plugin for WooCommerce shops. Seamless integration with existing PDF invoice plugins and accounting solutions.
- WooCommerce 8+
- HPOS compatible
- Germanized integration
- WPML support
Magento & Others
Custom implementations for Magento, PrestaShop, OXID and other shop systems as well as ERP integrations on request.
- Magento 2 / Adobe Commerce
- PrestaShop
- OXID eShop
- Custom solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
ZUGFeRD 2.x is a hybrid format combining PDF with embedded XML – readable by both humans and machines. XRechnung is a pure XML format processed only by machines and serves as the German standard for invoices to public authorities. Both comply with the EN 16931 standard. For online shops, ZUGFeRD is typically recommended since customers can also visually review the invoice.
Since November 2020, suppliers to the German federal government must use XRechnung. Between businesses in Germany, the requirement has applied in stages since 2025: since 1 January 2025, every business must be able to receive e-invoices, and an email inbox is already sufficient for this. Issuing is subject to transition periods: paper invoices or, with the recipient's consent, other formats such as PDF are permitted for transactions up to the end of 2026, and for transactions in 2027 only if the previous year's turnover did not exceed EUR 800,000. For transactions from 2028, these transition periods no longer apply.
An XRechnung contains all invoice-relevant data: seller and buyer information, routing ID (for public authorities), line items with article description and quantity, tax rates and amounts, payment terms, bank details and other mandatory fields according to EN 16931.
Yes, that's exactly the advantage of ZUGFeRD: the XML data is embedded in your existing PDF invoice. The PDF looks the same to the recipient as usual, but additionally contains machine-readable data for automatic processing.