Create XRechnung invoices without XML skills
Your client is a public authority, a municipality or a public company and requires an XRechnung? Fill in the invoice in the form, enter the Leitweg ID, and you receive an XRechnung as an XML file, validated with the official KoSIT validator before delivery.
How to create an XRechnung
After registration, 10 transactions are included, no credit card required. In your profile you enter your sender details, bank details, email address and phone number once, XRechnung requires both from the invoice issuer.
In the invoice form you set the format to XRechnung. Enter the recipient and line items as for any invoice, master data from your business partners is filled in.
Your client's Leitweg ID goes into the “Leitweg ID” field, for partners you can store it permanently in the partner record. If a partner is marked as a public-sector client, the form points out a missing Leitweg ID before the invoice is created.
Before delivery, the official KoSIT validator checks the XRechnung. If it fails, no invoice is created, nothing is charged, and you see which detail is missing.
Download the finished XML file and submit it the way your client specifies, usually through its invoice receipt portal. A copy is kept in your account archive.
What you should know about XRechnung
Pure XML, no PDF
XRechnung is the German implementation of the European standard EN 16931 and consists only of structured data. There is no view like a PDF, the recipient reads the file with its software.
The address within the administration
The Leitweg ID (field BT-10, Buyer reference) routes the invoice to the responsible office. BT-10 is mandatory in every XRechnung (rule BR-DE-15). Your client gives it to you, it is usually stated in the order or contract.
More than for an ordinary invoice
In addition to the usual details, XRechnung requires the email address and phone number of the invoice issuer, an electronic address of the recipient and payment details with an IBAN. The form asks for these before the invoice is created.
XRechnung 3.0
XRechnung 3.0 is created in CII syntax and validated with the official KoSIT validation scenarios on file. The identifier is in field BT-24 of the XML.
Via import or API
In the file import and via the API you set the profile to xrechnung. There you receive a PDF with embedded XRechnung XML, pure XML without a PDF is delivered by the invoice form and /v1/cii. Details are in the documentation.
Check XRechnung for free
Check an XRechnung from another program without an account in the XRechnung validator, with the violated rules in plain language.
Common reasons for rejection
Leitweg ID missing or wrong
Without a Leitweg ID the invoice fails BR-DE-15, with a wrong one it ends up at the wrong office. Copy the ID exactly from the order.
Contact details of the invoice issuer missing
Phone and email of the contact person are mandatory (BR-DE-2, BR-DE-5 to BR-DE-7). Store them once in your profile.
Payment details missing
XRechnung requires the method of payment (BR-DE-1). An IBAN in your profile covers this.
PDF submitted instead of XML
A PDF, even one containing invoice data, is not an XRechnung. Submit the XML file unless your client explicitly accepts ZUGFeRD.
Price
An XRechnung costs 1 credit like any invoice or is included in the monthly plan. After registration, 10 transactions are included. If validation fails, nothing is charged. After that you pay per transaction, the smallest pack costs EUR 9.00 net for 100 credits.
FAQ: creating XRechnung invoices
Can I create an XRechnung for free?
To get started, yes: after registration 10 transactions are included, no credit card required. After that an invoice costs 1 credit, with no subscription required.
Where do I get the Leitweg ID?
From your public-sector client. It is usually stated in the order, the contract or the authority's invoicing instructions. If in doubt, ask them, do not guess it.
Do I need software for XRechnung?
No. You create the XRechnung in your browser, there is nothing to install and you need no XML skills.
Can I check my XRechnung before submitting it?
That happens automatically: every XRechnung is validated with the official KoSIT validator before delivery. Check an XRechnung from another program for free in the XRechnung validator.
What is the difference between XRechnung and ZUGFeRD?
XRechnung is pure XML and the usual format for public authorities. ZUGFeRD is a PDF with embedded XML, readable by people and machines, and common in business transactions. Both are based on EN 16931.
Can I create an XRechnung from an existing PDF?
The data yes, the layout no, because an XRechnung has none. Copy the text of the invoice into the AI import, the data lands in the invoice form, and you select the XRechnung format.