E-Invoice Validator
Pre-check XRechnung and ZUGFeRD: mandatory EN16931 information, calculation rules, tax details. Free, with no upload to a server.
Calculated in your browser – your inputs are not transmitted and are kept on this device only if you choose
Drop your e-invoice here
or click to select a file
Mandatory e-invoicing since January 1, 2025
Companies must be able to receive and process e-invoices in XRechnung or ZUGFeRD format. This validator is a pre-check: it checks key mandatory information under EN 16931, some German business rules (BR-DE) and the calculation rules. It does not replace the full official check with the KoSIT rules (XRechnung validation tool) – “no errors” does not mean the invoice is compliant in every respect.
- Mandatory information under EN16931 (selection)
- XRechnung requirements (Routing ID)
- Calculation checks (totals, taxes)
- 100% GDPR-compliant (client-side)
Pre-check – does not replace the official validation
For the official check: KoSIT validator (XRechnung validation tool of the Coordination Office for IT Standards)RZ-26 · headon.pro
German e-invoicing mandate 2026: what you need to know
Since January 1, 2025, all companies in Germany must be able to receive and process e-invoices in XRechnung or ZUGFeRD format – with no transition period. This applies to the B2B sector and is independent of company size. Transition periods still apply for sending invoices: paper invoices are permitted until December 31, 2026; from January 1, 2027, companies with prior-year revenue above €800,000 must issue e-invoices.
Our validator is a pre-check: it checks key mandatory information under the European standard EN16931, some German business rules (BR-DE) and the calculation rules – entirely locally in your browser. It does not replace the official check with the KoSIT rules (XRechnung validation tool); “no errors” does not mean the invoice is compliant in every respect.
What is checked?
- EN16931 mandatory fields
- Invoice number, date, seller/buyer, amounts and all other mandatory details
- XRechnung BR-DE
- German business rules including the Routing ID (Leitweg-ID) for public sector buyers
- Calculation check
- Net + tax = gross and correct summation of all line items
- Tax validation
- VAT ID, tax numbers and correct tax rates (19%, 7%, 0%)
XRechnung vs. ZUGFeRD: what is the difference?
The two e-invoice formats compared
- XRechnung
- Pure XML format for public sector buyers. Requires a Routing ID (Leitweg-ID). Machine-readable.
- ZUGFeRD (Factur-X)
- Hybrid PDF with embedded XML. Human-readable and machine-processable.
The Routing ID (Leitweg-ID) explained
- 1Authority IDIdentifies the public authority (e.g. federal agency, state, municipality)
- 2Department IDSpecifies the responsible department or office
- 3Check digitEnsures the correctness of the Routing ID
100% GDPR-compliant
All validations run 100% locally in your browser. Your invoice data is never transmitted to our servers. All data is deleted once you close the page.
Our privacy guarantee
- No data transmission
- All checks run entirely in the browser – no server upload
- No cookies
- No tracking cookies or similar technologies are used
- No storage
- All data is cleared from memory once you close the page
- Open source
- The validation logic is transparent and traceable
Frequently asked questions about e-invoicing
Everything you need to know about XRechnung, ZUGFeRD and EN16931
What is the German e-invoicing mandate for 2026?
Since January 1, 2025, all companies in Germany must be able to receive and process e-invoices in the B2B sector – this receiving obligation already applies with no transition period, regardless of company size. Transition periods apply for sending your own e-invoices: paper/PDF invoices may still be sent until December 31, 2026; from January 1, 2027, companies with prior-year revenue above €800,000 must issue e-invoices. The e-invoice must be in XRechnung or ZUGFeRD format.
What is the difference between XRechnung and ZUGFeRD?
XRechnung is a pure XML format for exchange with public sector buyers and requires a Routing ID (Leitweg-ID). ZUGFeRD (Factur-X) is a hybrid format with a PDF and embedded XML that is both human-readable and machine-processable.
What is a Routing ID (Leitweg-ID)?
The Routing ID (Leitweg-ID) is a unique identifier for public sector buyers in Germany. It consists of an authority ID, a department ID and a check digit. It is mandatory for invoices to public sector buyers.
Is my invoice data stored anywhere?
No, all validations run 100% locally in your browser. Your invoice data is never transmitted to our servers. All data is deleted once you close the page.
Which checks are performed?
The following are checked: EN16931 mandatory fields (invoice number, date, amounts), XRechnung-specific rules (BR-DE), calculation checks (net + tax = gross) and tax validation (VAT ID, tax rates).