Introduced regulations oblige suppliers to send e-invoices to German public administration entities (on the federal level). So, it doesn't matter if you're from France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, or anywhere else - if you're one of the suppliers, you need to go by the new rules.
Also, forget about sharing PDFs. From now on, you have to send structured invoices, that is files created in the right document format such as XRechnung.
Scroll through this space to learn how to achieve full legal compliance with minimal effort and at a low cost.
If you are a supplier for German public administration institutions, you are obliged to send them structured e-invoices.
XRechnung is an XML-based invoice format preferred by German authorities, fulfilling the criteria of the European core calculation and being the response to the CEN standard (CEN/TC 434). Other formats, such as ZUGFeRD 2.0 or Factur-X, remain applicable for B2B transactions, but all suppliers for the German public administration are obliged to switch to X-Rechnung.
An XRechnung file can be sent via one of the many transmission channels, such as the German ZRE, OZG RE, VPX platforms, as well as the European PEPPOL network.
OpenPEPPOL is a non-profit organization that provides a vast network of electronic document exchange services, used mainly for e-invoicing purposes (for both B2G and B2B transactions).
It is not a separate platform, but a virtual infrastructure that binds other e-invoicing platforms together, no matter if they are governmental or third-party solutions. The German OZG-RE (Online Access Act compliant e-invoice platform), for example, also features a PEPPOL interface.
The new e-invoicing laws apply only to B2G operations for now, but we should expect German authorities to extend the regulations to cover B2B transactions sometime soon. For the time being, B2B e-invoicing remains optional.
With more and more European (and non-European) countries joining the e-Invoicing Revolution, we can say that the electronic document exchange is definitely becoming a global trend. If we consider how many companies operate globally while sharing data with dozens of businesses, we will find this change to be a natural change in the business environment. You can follow our social media channels to read more about the latest and upcoming e-invoicing regulations in Europe and beyond.
To help companies send e-invoices to public administration, we provide two platforms: Comarch e-Invoicing Cloud and Comarch e-Invoicing.
Comarch e-Invoicing is a comprehensive, SaaS solution created mainly for large enterprises. Helping you carry out the most complex B2B & B2G document exchange operations, it guarantees both higher quality of data and lower operational costs.
Comarch e-Invoicing Cloud is an easy-to-use, affordable tool designed for small and mid-size companies. Providing instant access to a virtual environment that is easy to navigate, it enables you to transfer e-invoices to both public institutions and private companies in no time - no matter where you are.
Australia
Belgium
China
Denmark
France
Germany
Hungary
India
Italy
Japan
Luxembourg
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Thailand
Vietnam
The German B2G e-invoicing system is decentralized. The access points for the reception of B2G e-invoices from suppliers at the federal level are the platforms ZRE and OZG RE. At state level, each state could opt to use the central government’s platform or other systems (or none).
Qualified Electronic Signature is one of the accepted methods. Data sealed with a qualified electronic seal enjoy the presumption of integrity and authenticity.
Storage period: 10 + 3 years
XRechnung is an XML-based invoice format preferred by German authorities, fulfilling the criteria of the European core calculation and being the response to the CEN standard (CEN/TC 434). Other formats, such as ZUGFeRD 2.0 or Factur-X, are expected to remain applicable for B2B transactions, but all suppliers for the German public administration will be obliged to switch to X-Rechnung.
An XRechnung file can be sent via one of the many transmission channels, such as the German ZRE, OZG RE, and VPX platforms
For now, all companies in selected states such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saarland and Hamburg that are doing business with public entities should use structured electronic invoices. B2B e-invoicing remains optional.
All companies making B2G transactions in following states: