Convert PDF to ZUGFeRD

ZUGFeRD is one of the hybrid invoice formats. A PDF/A-3 holds the visible invoice. The embedded XML contains the same invoice as structured data.

As of 12 October 2026. Businesses established in Germany have had to be able to receive e-invoices since 1 January 2025. For issuing, transitional periods apply. Until 31 December 2026, issuers may still send invoices for supplies made in 2025 and 2026 on paper or, with the recipient's consent, in another electronic format. For supplies made in 2027, this applies until 31 December 2027 if the issuer's total turnover in the previous year was no more than 800,000 euros. With the recipient's consent, issuers may also use another electronic format for these supplies, regardless of the previous year's turnover, provided they transmit the invoice by electronic data interchange (EDI). For supplies made from 2028 onwards, no transitional rule remains. The e-invoice is then mandatory between businesses established in Germany. If the previous year's turnover was above 800,000 euros, the obligation already applies to supplies made in 2027, except for EDI. There are exceptions, among others for small amounts up to 250 euros and for invoices from businesses that use the small-business exemption (Kleinunternehmer, section 19 UStG). This is not legal or tax advice.

Section 14(1) UStG defines an e-invoice as an invoice in a structured electronic format that allows electronic processing (as of 12 October 2026). The format must comply with the European standard or be agreed between issuer and recipient. An agreed format must allow the correct and complete extraction of the required data into a format that complies with the standard or is interoperable with it. According to the German Federal Ministry of Finance, ZUGFeRD from version 2.0.1 meets the VAT requirements. The MINIMUM and BASIC-WL profiles do not qualify.

You upload the PDF file, and the portal reads the invoice data with AI support. From this data, the portal creates the XML and embeds it in a PDF/A-3. You then download the finished file.

The portal accepts PDF files, several at a time. A ZIP archive also works. The portal takes only the PDF files from it.

According to the privacy policy, the portal runs on a virtual server of IONOS SE, and its processing location is in Germany (as of 12 October 2026). The AI-assisted data extraction also runs, according to the privacy policy, through an endpoint operated in Germany. Stored invoice files are encrypted with AES-256-GCM. The data of different customers is kept separate.