E-invoicing obligation
The e-invoicing obligation 2025/2026 - is your trade business ready?
Whether bathroom renovation, roofing or electrical work: since 2025 every business must be able to receive e-invoices, while small businesses only have to issue them from 2028. Here are the plain answers - and how aktuno handles both right inside your job file.
15 minutes, we look at your invoicing setup.
✓ Receive & create✓ XRechnung & ZUGFeRD-capable✓ Servers in Germany
The short answers
Answers first, product second
You came here with a concrete question. Here are the three most common ones - in plain language.
Do you have to issue e-invoices yourself?
As a business with under EUR 800,000 prior-year turnover, only from 1 January 2028. But you must already be able to receive e-invoices - that part has applied since 2025, and it is the easy part.
ZUGFeRD or XRechnung - what is the difference?
ZUGFeRD is a PDF with an embedded XML data set: readable for people, processable for machines. XRechnung is a pure XML data set without a PDF. Both fulfil the EU standard EN 16931, both are permitted - you do not have to choose. aktuno processes both.
What do you have to do right now?
First: be able to receive and read e-invoices. Second: store the invoices properly, not just in a mail inbox. Third: switch your own invoicing in time for your deadline. aktuno covers all three in one system.
The obligation is here
What changes in 2025/2026
The e-invoice is no longer paperwork you can put off. It is required by law - and the deadlines are already running.
Receiving is mandatory
Since 1 January 2025 every domestic business must be able to receive e-invoices. A paper or PDF inbox alone is no longer enough.
A PDF is not an e-invoice
A real e-invoice is a structured, machine-readable data set (such as XRechnung or ZUGFeRD) - not a PDF image and not a scanned sheet of paper.
The deadlines are running
Receiving already applies. The mandatory issuing and sending follows in stages over the coming years. Switch now and it's off your plate.
The deadlines at a glance
What applies when?
Legal basis: Section 14 of the German VAT Act (UStG) as amended by the Growth Opportunities Act (March 2024).
How it works with aktuno
The e-invoice lands straight in the file
No separate portal, no scrap-paper chaos. E-invoices flow in and out - right where your job already lives. Whether bathroom renovation, roof truss or electrical installation.
The e-invoice comes in
Incoming e-invoices attach automatically to the matching job file.
The e-invoice goes out
You issue invoices straight from the job - XRechnung/ZUGFeRD-capable.
Filed cleanly
Every invoice sits in one place instead of five tools. Nothing gets lost.
All in Germany
Your data sits on your server in Germany, GDPR compliant.
15 minutes, we look at your invoicing setup.
What aktuno does
E-invoices, without extra software
aktuno creates and receives e-invoices right inside the operating system. No additional program, no isolated tool.
Receive e-invoices
Incoming e-invoices in XRechnung or ZUGFeRD format attach automatically to the right job file - instead of a separate portal.
Create e-invoices
You issue invoices straight from the job, XRechnung/ZUGFeRD-capable. From quote to e-invoice in one flow.
Filed cleanly
Every invoice is filed cleanly and stays findable at any time - incoming and outgoing, in one place.
Servers in Germany
aktuno runs on your own server in Germany, GDPR compliant, with daily backups.
Bookkeeping & tax advisor
Does this work with my tax advisor?
In the trades, this question decides every software choice. So here is what aktuno does - and what GoBD really means - without marketing fog.
DATEV export
Your tax advisor gets the accounting data in DATEV format: export as an EXTF posting batch including document transfer via an add-on module, tested against the official DATEV validation software.
Proper invoices & documents
Invoices with sequential numbers, locked after approval, corrections via cancellation instead of deletion. Plus a document archive with OCR, full-text search, change log and access rights.
GoBD - explained honestly
There is no such thing as a GoBD certificate for software - GoBD compliance is always a matter of process in your business. aktuno provides the technical basis and we support you with the process documentation.
And if you leave: your data lives in open formats and belongs to you - export any time, including on cancellation.
In short
What is the e-invoicing obligation?
The e-invoicing obligation requires companies in Germany to exchange invoices in business-to-business (B2B) trade as a structured electronic invoice - starting in 2025 with receiving.
What is an e-invoice?
An e-invoice is an invoice in a structured, machine-readable format such as XRechnung or ZUGFeRD - not a PDF image and not paper.
When does it apply?
Since 1 January 2025 every domestic business must be able to receive e-invoices. Issuing becomes mandatory in stages over the following years.
Who does it apply to?
It applies to invoices between companies based in Germany (B2B). There are exceptions for individual cases.
The price
from EUR 199/month - what is included
Yes, a plain invoicing tool costs EUR 10. But an invoicing tool only writes invoices - your job still lives in five places. aktuno is the complete job file; the e-invoice is just one part of it.
The whole operating system
Job file, quotes, invoices including e-invoicing, documents, photos, notes - one system instead of five tools, everything attached to the job.
Your own server
aktuno runs on your own server in Germany, GDPR compliant, with daily backups - no third-party cloud, no data drain.
No lock-in
Cancel monthly, data in open formats, export any time. If all you need is e-invoicing, we are the wrong tool - if your job should stay in one place, the right one.
What the switch costs for your specific business is what the intro call is for - 15 minutes, no sales pressure.
How to switch
Ready in 30 minutes
aktuno is ready straight away. koetting.io sets it up and handles the full migration if needed.
Intro call
15 minutes, free. We look at your invoicing setup and show you aktuno in practice on your business.
Setup
aktuno is set up for your business. Receiving and creating e-invoices works straight from the system, no extra tool.
Migration
koetting.io handles the migration of your existing data on request. Done-for-you - you keep working, only better.
15 minutes, we look at your invoicing setup.
E-invoicing questions
When does the e-invoicing obligation apply?
Who does the e-invoicing obligation apply to?
Which formats are allowed?
Is a PDF invoice still enough?
What happens if I ignore the obligation?
Can aktuno receive and create e-invoices?
ZUGFeRD or XRechnung - which one do I need?
Does aktuno work with my tax advisor (DATEV)?
15 minutes, we look at your invoicing setup.
Get started
E-invoice?
Already handled.
Book an intro call. We'll show you aktuno on your own business - receiving and creating included.
15 minutes, we look at your invoicing setup.