E-invoicing: What you need to know!

Updated 2 weeks ago ​by

From January 1, 2025, the e-invoicing requirement for B2B services will be gradually introduced in Germany. With ready2order, it is easy to create legally compliant e-invoices. We have summarized all the important information for you here.

ready2order provides e-invoicing according to the EU standard EN16931, and therefore, not only for Germany.

What is an e-invoice?

An e-invoice is a digital invoice in a structured, machine-readable format. It enables automatic processing by accounting programs and meets all legal and technical requirements. In contrast to conventional invoices, which are often only available as PDF or paper, the e-invoice contains standardized data (e.g. in XML format), which makes manual data entry unnecessary.

How do you create an e-invoice in your cash register?

With ready2order, the process of creating an e-invoices is very simple. Every invoice that you generate in A4-PDF format automatically contains a compliant e-invoice. It is embedded directly in the PDF as an XML file. This allows you to view the invoice as usual in the PDF format, while the attached XML file enables simple and automated further processing.

Not all PDF readers can show the XML file (Adobe Acrobat was used in the example above).

This means that an e-invoice is generated via the following actions after the invoice has been created:

  • All "Digital Receipt" actions (after scanning the QR code, the downloaded PDF contains the e-invoice)
  • Send invoice by email (the attached PDF contains the e-invoice)
  • Open PDF invoice (A4)
  • Print and open as PDF

What should you pay attention to?

To ensure that everything runs smoothly and a compliant e-invoice can be created, certain data must be filled in before the invoice is created.
  • Check your company data once in the settings.
  1. Open the settings and go to the company data.
  2. Check whether all mandatory fields (marked with *) in both tabs ("Business Premises (readyAccount)" and " Company Profile ") are completely and correctly filled out.
  3. Then save your changes.
  • Also make sure that the customer data for whom the invoice is being issued includes at least the company name, the first and last name of the contact person, and the country. In certain cases, the VAT ID number is also mandatory.
Please remember that you are responsible for the correctness of the data you enter.

You can find further information about e-invoicing on the Federal Ministry’s website.

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