If you create or send invoices in Accountable, you'll sooner or later come across terms like XRechnung, ZUGFeRD or PEPPOL.
👉 Important to know:
XRechnung and ZUGFeRD are formats for e-invoices
PEPPOL is a network for sending these invoices
Background: Why Do E-Invoices Exist?
E-invoices are structured, machine-readable invoices that can be processed automatically. This saves you time, reduces errors and makes accounting significantly more efficient.
Benefits include:
Fewer errors
Faster processing
Simpler accounting
Legal requirements – when do e-invoices become mandatory?
The following deadlines apply in Germany:
From 1 January 2025: All businesses must be able to receive e-invoices.
From 1 January 2027: Businesses with a previous year's turnover above €800,000 must also send e-invoices.
Until 31 December 2027: Businesses with turnover below €800,000 may still send paper or PDF invoices (with the recipient's consent).
From 1 January 2028: All businesses in the B2B sector must send e-invoices – without exception.
ZUGFeRD in Accountable
ZUGFeRD combines a regular PDF (human-readable) with embedded XML data (machine-readable). In Accountable, you can choose to export your invoice as a ZUGFeRD PDF when creating it – making it directly processable for your customers.
Benefits
As easy to read as a regular PDF
Machine-readable
Ideal for B2B invoices
💡 Tip: When you create and send an invoice in Accountable, an e-invoice in ZUGFeRD format is automatically attached. You don't need to do anything extra, just create your invoices as usual and all e-invoice requirements are taken care of.
XRechnung in Accountable
XRechnung is an XML format that public authorities in Germany are required to use. In Accountable, you can create XRechnungen directly and export them as XML or send them straight away.
PEPPOL in Accountable
PEPPOL is not an invoice format – it's a transmission network. In Accountable, you can send invoices directly via PEPPOL, whether XRechnung or ZUGFeRD – and it works across Europe.
Important: For PEPPOL delivery to work, your recipient also needs to be registered in the PEPPOL network. This is already the case for many public authorities and larger companies, but not all. If in doubt, check with your customer beforehand.
Benefits
Secure delivery to authorities and businesses
Automatic data transfer into your customer's accounting system
Particularly useful for international invoices
Differences at a Glance
Topic | XRechnung | ZUGFeRD | PEPPOL |
Type | Invoice format | Invoice format | Network |
Readability | Machine-readable only | Human + Machine | – |
Mandatory? | Yes (for authorities) | No | No (but widely used) |
Use case | B2G (authorities) | B2B | B2G & B2B |
File | XML | PDF + XML | – |
When to Use Which Format
ZUGFeRD: Businesses that accept digital invoices
XRechnung: Public authorities in Germany
PEPPOL: Sending via the European network – when your recipient is also registered with PEPPOL
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send XRechnungen as a PDF?
No. An XRechnung is a pure XML file. However, Accountable always automatically creates and attaches a PDF alongside it.
Does PEPPOL belong to XRechnung or ZUGFeRD?
No. PEPPOL is a network for transmission. You can send both XRechnungen and ZUGFeRD invoices via PEPPOL.
Do I need PEPPOL?
As long as you simply want to create and send e-invoices, you don't need to register for PEPPOL. However, PEPPOL is useful when your recipient is also in the network, this is something you should clarify in advance.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at any time at support@accountable.eu. We're always glad to hear from you. 😊