E-Invoicing for Freelancers

Does This Affect Me?

Many freelancers send only a few invoices per month. Still, the mandatory e-invoicing requirements may apply — especially if you work with companies or public-sector clients.

Typical Scenarios

• IT consulting
• Design and marketing
• Coaching and training
• Engineering services
• Expert reports and assessments
• Project work for companies
• Services for public authorities or institutions

Is My PDF Invoice Enough?

A standard PDF is generally not a proper e-invoice. For certain cases, you'll need a structured format like XRechnung or ZUGFeRD.

What You Should Check

• Are you creating invoices with Word, Excel, or PDF tools?
• Do you use accounting software?
• Does your software support ZUGFeRD or XRechnung?
• Do you invoice public authorities?
• Has a client requested a specific format?
• How do you archive your invoices?

The Good News

For freelancers, the transition is often simpler than for larger businesses, because there are fewer processes to adjust. The key is to check early whether your current setup is sufficient.