E-invoicing for freelancers & small businesses
Even under the small business scheme (§ 19 of the German VAT Act, UStG), you have been required to receive e-invoices since 2025. No subscription, no XML knowledge, ready in a few minutes.
Typical challenges
§ 19 UStG built into the form
The VAT exemption under § 19 UStG is available as a dedicated tax case, so your invoices are labelled correctly with no extra effort.
Suits irregular invoice volumes
Whether you write 2 or 20 invoices a month: you only pay for what you use, with no fixed cost for an accounting package.
Small businesses are affected too
Since 1 January 2025, small businesses must also be able to receive, read and archive e-invoices. Our free checking tool shows you whether an invoice you received is correct.
Service period, project number and timesheet on the invoice
Consulting, development, design: clients often want to see the service period, a purchase order or project number and a timesheet. All fields are in the invoice form, and you attach the timesheet as a PDF attachment to the e-invoice.
English invoice, matching tax treatment, foreign currency
For clients in the EU or abroad you issue the invoice in English, choose the matching tax treatment (for example reverse-charge or not taxable) and, if needed, bill in a foreign currency at the ECB rate. The fixed texts in the e-invoice data then appear in English as well.
Keep your PDF and make it compliant
You write your invoices in Word or Excel and want to keep the layout? Upload the PDF, the AI reads the invoice data, and your PDF is provided with the e-invoice data. Afterwards you send the invoice by e-mail straight from the application.
Frequently asked questions: E-invoicing for freelancers & small businesses
Do I have to issue e-invoices as a small business?
No, not necessarily: small businesses under § 19 UStG are exempt from the obligation to issue a structured e-invoice under § 34a of the German VAT Implementing Ordinance (UStDV) and may continue to send paper or simple PDF invoices. However, even as a small business you have had to be able to receive, read and archive e-invoices since 1 January 2025.
Can I still create e-invoices if I want to?
Yes. Many small businesses issue ZUGFeRD invoices voluntarily because business customers expect it or because it simplifies their own bookkeeping. The small business label under § 19 UStG is set correctly and automatically.
What does it cost if I only write a few invoices a month?
You pay per transaction (creating costs 1 credit, checking including IBAN fraud protection costs 3 credits), no subscription, no base fee. Credits do not expire.
Can I check an e-invoice I received without an account?
Yes. Under “Check e-invoice for free” you upload an invoice you received and see, without an account (just with your email address), whether it complies with EN 16931.
Can I keep my existing PDF invoice?
Yes. You upload the finished invoice as a PDF, the AI reads the data, you check it, and your PDF is provided with the e-invoice data. The layout stays unchanged.
How do I issue an invoice to a client abroad?
Choose English as the invoice language, the matching tax treatment and, if needed, the foreign currency. Which rule is right for your case is something to clarify with your tax adviser.
Can I send invoices directly?
Yes, the invoice can be sent from the application by e-mail to the client, with the PDF attached.