Invoice AutopilotAnyone looking into e-invoicing in Germany soon meets two names: ZUGFeRD and XRechnung. Both can meet the European standard EN 16931 – for ZUGFeRD that depends on version and profile. They differ mainly in what the invoice looks like.
ZUGFeRD: PDF and XML in one file
ZUGFeRD is a hybrid format: a normal PDF to look at, with an XML file carrying all invoice data embedded in it. The PDF is an archivable PDF/A-3.
- People open the PDF as usual.
- Accounting software reads the embedded XML automatically.
- Factur-X is the French name for the same format.
For the German mandate, ZUGFeRD counts from version 2.0.1, except the MINIMUM and BASIC-WL profiles.
XRechnung: XML only
XRechnung is a pure XML file with no visible PDF. You need software or a viewer to read it. It is the standard of German public administration: authorities usually require XRechnung, often via a portal or Peppol.
What do you need as a Shopify merchant?
| Situation | Suitable format |
|---|---|
| You sell to consumers and businesses | ZUGFeRD – consumers see a normal PDF, businesses get machine-readable data. |
| A business customer wants to import the invoice automatically | ZUGFeRD or XRechnung, depending on their software. |
| You sell to a public authority | usually XRechnung, often with a routing ID (Leitweg-ID). |
For most Shopify merchants, ZUGFeRD is the more practical choice because one format fits all customers.
And Peppol?
Peppol is not a file format but a network for delivering e-invoices. Some countries require it; in Germany it is used mainly by public authorities. For ordinary shop orders you usually don’t need it.
How Invoice Autopilot handles it
Invoice Autopilot creates every final invoice and credit note as ZUGFeRD/Factur-X in the EN 16931 profile inside a PDF/A-3 and validates it before release. The app does not offer XRechnung or Peppol; if you need them for individual customers such as authorities, use another tool for those. See docs: e-invoice and validation report.