# E-invoicing – Billfree

> Deadlines, formats, receiving and archiving since 2025.

- [E-invoicing in Germany: who must comply and when](https://billfree.de/en/e-invoicing/e-invoicing-germany/): Since 1 January 2025, every business established in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices. From 1 January 2027, businesses with more than €800,000 turnover in the previous year must issue them to other German businesses, and from 1 January 2028 almost everyone must. Invoices up to €250, travel tickets and invoices from small businesses stay exempt.
- [XRechnung vs ZUGFeRD: which German e-invoice format?](https://billfree.de/en/e-invoicing/xrechnung-vs-zugferd/): XRechnung is a pure XML file with no visual layer, while ZUGFeRD is a PDF with an embedded XML file that both people and software can read. Both satisfy the German e-invoicing mandate if they follow the EN 16931 standard. ZUGFeRD's MINIMUM and BASIC-WL profiles do not count. Authorities usually want XRechnung, businesses often prefer ZUGFeRD.
- [Receive e-invoices in Germany: open, check and store XML](https://billfree.de/en/e-invoicing/receive-e-invoices-germany/): Since 1 January 2025, every business established in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices from other German businesses, small businesses included. An email inbox is enough, and you cannot refuse an e-invoice. You then need to make the XML readable, check it, and keep the original file unchanged for eight years.
- [How long to keep invoices in Germany: 8 years since 2025](https://billfree.de/en/e-invoicing/keep-invoices-germany/): Businesses in Germany must keep invoices for eight years since 2025, down from ten. The period starts at the end of the calendar year in which the invoice was issued. In 2026, invoices from 2017 and earlier may therefore be destroyed, unless an audit or open tax assessment requires them. E-invoices are kept as the original, unchanged XML file.

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