Is one of the two formats legally better?

No. Both can meet the requirements for an e-invoice if they are created in the right profile and without errors.

Not permanently. You can choose the suitable format per customer.

How do I switch from ZUGFeRD to XRechnung?

If your ZUGFeRD file has the EN 16931 profile or higher, you can extract the XML and check whether it meets the XRechnung rules.

XRechnung or ZUGFeRD: which one suits you?

Both formats meet the European norm for e-invoices. They differ in who finally reads the invoice: software or also a person.

Updated on 28 October 2026

The difference in one sentence

The XRechnung is a pure XML file made for automatic processing. ZUGFeRD is a PDF that contains the same data as embedded XML and is therefore readable for people too.

Side by side

An overview of the key points:

Readability: XRechnung hardly readable without tools, ZUGFeRD like a normal PDF.
Processing: both automatic. With ZUGFeRD the right profile matters.
Public authorities: XRechnung is the usual standard, ZUGFeRD is not accepted everywhere.
File size: XRechnung small, ZUGFeRD larger because of the PDF.
Creation: XRechnung often easier to produce, ZUGFeRD additionally needs a correct PDF/A-3.

When XRechnung?

When you supply public contracting authorities, when your customer explicitly asks for XRechnung or when invoices run fully automatically between systems anyway.

When ZUGFeRD?

When you send to companies with mixed capabilities: whoever still expects a PDF can read it, whoever already processes automatically uses the XML. If you want to change your existing PDF invoice as little as possible, ZUGFeRD is the obvious step.

And if you need both?

Some businesses create one or the other from the same data depending on the recipient. What matters is that every file is validated. Wandlix can create, validate and render both formats.

Frequently asked questions

Is one of the two formats legally better?: No. Both can meet the requirements for an e-invoice if they are created in the right profile and without errors.
Do I have to decide?: Not permanently. You can choose the suitable format per customer.
How do I switch from ZUGFeRD to XRechnung?: If your ZUGFeRD file has the EN 16931 profile or higher, you can extract the XML and check whether it meets the XRechnung rules.

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These guides do not replace tax or legal advice. For questions about your own case please ask your tax adviser.