Germany Invoice Generator (Rechnung)
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Invoicing in Germany: what your invoice needs
German tax law lists the details an invoice must show in section 14 of the VAT Act (UStG), and the list is known as the Pflichtangaben. If a detail is missing, your customer can lose the right to reclaim the VAT, so accountants check invoices closely.
If your turnover is small you may be a Kleinunternehmer under section 19 UStG. You then charge no VAT and say so on the invoice. Since 2025 the limits are €25,000 of turnover in the previous year and €100,000 in the current year.
Key facts for Germany
- Tax
- Umsatzsteuer (USt), also called Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt)
- Rates
- 19% standard, 7% reduced
- Kleinunternehmer
- Up to €25,000 turnover in the previous year and €100,000 in the current year (from 2025)
- Small-amount invoice
- Up to €250 gross: fewer details required
- When to issue
- Within 6 months of the supply for B2B
- Records
- Keep invoices for 8 years (shortened from 10 in 2025)
- Currency
- EUR (€)
What a Germany invoice should include
- Full name and address of you and of the customer
- Your Steuernummer or your USt-IdNr (use the USt-IdNr for EU business customers)
- The invoice date
- A unique, sequential invoice number (Rechnungsnummer)
- The type and quantity of goods, or the type and extent of the service
- The date of supply or the service period (Leistungsdatum)
- The net amount by tax rate, any discounts agreed in advance, the tax rate and the tax amount
- If no VAT is charged: the legal reason, such as the Kleinunternehmer note or the reverse charge wording
Practical tips
Do not forget the Leistungsdatum
The date of supply (or service period) is separate from the invoice date and is a mandatory detail. Many freelancers leave it out. Write it in the description or notes if the tool has no separate field, for example "Leistungszeitraum: 1-31 March".
Kleinunternehmer wording
If you are exempt under section 19, write "Gemäß § 19 UStG wird keine Umsatzsteuer berechnet." in the notes and do not show a VAT line.
Reverse charge for EU customers
For services to a business in another EU country you usually charge no German VAT. Show both USt-IdNr numbers and write "Steuerschuldnerschaft des Leistungsempfängers" (reverse charge).
Common questions about invoicing in Germany
Do I have to write the invoice in German?
No. There is no legal requirement for the language. Many freelancers write bilingual invoices, and the tax office can ask for a translation on request. German labels help when the customer's accountant reads it.
Is a PDF invoice still valid in 2026?
Yes, until your e-invoicing deadline, with one condition: a PDF sent by email counts as an electronic invoice, so the customer has to agree to receive it that way. You must be able to receive e-invoices already, but businesses can still issue paper or (with consent) PDF invoices in 2025 and 2026, and in 2027 if their turnover is below €800,000.
What is the difference between Steuernummer and USt-IdNr?
The Steuernummer is the number your local tax office gives you. The USt-IdNr is the EU VAT ID used for cross-border business. You must show one of them, and for EU customers the USt-IdNr is the right one.
Does this tool make an XRechnung or ZUGFeRD file?
No. It produces a PDF. If you need to issue e-invoices, use accounting software that supports the XRechnung or ZUGFeRD format.
Related guides and tools
Official sources: Federal Ministry of Finance.
Last updated September 2026. This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Tax rules change, so check the official source or ask a local accountant before relying on it for an important invoice.
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