Online invoices become mandatory in Germany in 2025

Germany is transitioning to mandatory e-invoicing gradually starting from the beginning of 2025.

German e-invoicing mandate - implementation schedule  

1/1/2025 EN-compatible e-invoices as default – phase 1

Companies must be ready to receive e-invoices compliant with the EN 16931 standard. Sending paper invoices is still allowed with the buyer's consent. Sending PDF invoices and non-EN-compatible e-invoices is also allowed, but consent from the buyer is required for those as well.

1.1.2027 E-Invoice Mandatory for Sales Invoices – Phase 2

Companies with a turnover of at least €800,000 in the previous year are no longer allowed to send paper invoices even with the recipient's consent. Sending EDI invoices is still permitted.

1/1/2028 Mandatory for all invoices to be E-invoice compatible - Phase 3

Companies with a turnover of less than 800,000 € are also prohibited from sending paper invoices from 1/1/2028 onwards. Sending EDI invoices that are not EN-compatible is also prohibited.

Heeros and the German e-invoicing mandate

Heeros already offers solutions for both e-invoice senders and receivers in Germany. Heeros Sales Invoices automates sales invoicing and enables 100% e-invoicing cost-effectively. Heeros Purchase Invoices streamlines the processing of purchase invoices from reception and approval to payment. Both solutions can be seamlessly integrated into the existing ERP system or other systems.