Question 1

What is EN 16931?

Accepted Answer

EN 16931 is the European standard for electronic invoicing. It defines a semantic data model for the core elements of an e-invoice and ensures interoperability across all EU member states.

Question 2

Which formats does Invocore support?

Accepted Answer

UBL 2.1, UN/CEFACT CII, XRechnung (Germany), Factur-X/ZUGFeRD (Germany/France). All formats are EN 16931-compliant. Peppol BIS 3.0 is in development (Q2 2026).

Question 3

Is Invocore compliant with EU Directive 2014/55/EU?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our platform is designed for full compliance with the EU e-invoicing directive, which mandates electronic invoicing in public procurement (B2G).

Question 4

Which countries are supported?

Accepted Answer

Germany (XRechnung), France (Factur-X), Italy (FatturaPA), and other EU countries. Each profile includes country-specific mandatory fields and validation rules.

Question 5

Can I send invoices via Peppol?

Accepted Answer

Peppol integration is currently in development (planned Q2 2026) and will be available as a paid add-on. Invoices can already be sent by email and via our API.

Question 6

How long are invoices stored?

Accepted Answer

Legally compliant archiving with configurable retention periods (e.g. 10 years for Germany). All documents are stored with a full audit trail.

Question 7

Can I integrate my ERP system?

Accepted Answer

Yes. REST APIs, webhooks, and pre-built connectors for DATEV, SAP, and other ERP systems. Custom integrations for enterprise customers.

Question 8

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

All data is hosted in Germany, encrypted at rest and in transit. Two-factor authentication, role-based access control, and audit logging.

Question 9

Do you support B2B e-invoicing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Invocore handles B2G and B2B seamlessly with the same compliance standards.

Question 10

What validation is performed?

Accepted Answer

Three-level validation: syntactic (XML schema), semantic (EN 16931 business rules), and country-specific (national CIUS profiles).

Question 11

Is XRechnung mandatory for all B2B invoices in Germany starting 2025?

Accepted Answer

Not yet for all B2B. From January 2025, all businesses must be able to receive e-invoices in EN 16931-compliant formats like XRechnung or ZUGFeRD 2.1+. The obligation to issue e-invoices is phased in by 2028, with exemptions for micro-businesses under €22,000 annual turnover.

Question 12

Do freelancers and small businesses in Germany need to issue XRechnung e-invoices?

Accepted Answer

Freelancers and small businesses must be able to receive e-invoices now. For sending, they can currently use ZUGFeRD format, which combines a readable PDF with embedded XML data — no new processes needed. The full obligation to issue structured e-invoices comes in later phases through 2028.

Question 13

What happens if I send non-compliant PDF invoices after 2025?

Accepted Answer

Non-compliant PDF invoices won't qualify as valid e-invoices after the transition deadline. They risk being rejected by recipients or may result in compliance issues. Switching to invoicing software that generates XRechnung or ZUGFeRD formats ensures your invoices are accepted and legally compliant.

Question 14

What is the difference between XRechnung and ZUGFeRD?

Accepted Answer

XRechnung is a pure XML format designed for machine-to-machine processing, primarily used for B2G (business-to-government) invoicing. ZUGFeRD is a hybrid format that embeds structured XML data inside a human-readable PDF, making it ideal for B2B and B2C use. Both formats comply with the EU EN 16931 standard.

Question 15

Is ZUGFeRD suitable for small businesses?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ZUGFeRD is particularly well-suited for small businesses because it integrates with existing PDF-based workflows. Recipients without dedicated e-invoice processing systems can still open and read the invoice as a normal PDF, while the embedded XML data ensures machine-readability and compliance.

Question 16

Can XRechnung invoicing software export data to DATEV?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Professional XRechnung software like InvoCore supports DATEV export, allowing you to send your tax accountant (Steuerberater) clean, structured data files instead of PDF screenshots. This includes CSV exports with invoice images (Belegbilder) and all required accounting fields for seamless handoff.

Question 17

Does XRechnung and ZUGFeRD ensure EU-wide e-invoicing compliance?

Accepted Answer

Both XRechnung and ZUGFeRD follow EU Directive 2014/55/EU and the EN 16931 standard, making them valid for cross-border B2G invoicing across the EU. However, each EU member state may have additional national requirements. Germany's phased rollout can be managed through Peppol network or national e-invoicing portals.

Question 18

Which XRechnung format should freelancers in Germany use?

Accepted Answer

For most freelancers, ZUGFeRD is the easiest starting point — it looks like a normal PDF but includes the required XML data for compliance. If you invoice government agencies (B2G), you'll need XRechnung (pure XML). Tools like InvoCore generate both formats automatically, so you don't need to worry about the technical details.

EN 16931 Compliant
E-Invoicing for Europe

European E-Invoicing Standard

How It Works

Create Invoice

Validate & Send

Track & Archive

Complete E-Invoicing Solution

Create & Validate

Send & Receive

National Profiles

Archive & Comply

Integrations

Built For

Government Suppliers (B2G)

B2B Trading Partners

Tax Advisors & Accountants

Enterprises

Why Choose Invocore?

Simple Pricing

Free

Professional

Enterprise

Frequently Asked Questions

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EN 16931 CompliantE-Invoicing for Europe