Issue
You build the invoice as usual: Norman emits a ZUGFeRD PDF/A-3 with embedded EN 16931 XML in the right profile (e.g. EN 16931 or EXTENDED) and fills mandatory fields, VAT logic, and payment data automatically.
Create and receive ZUGFeRD: one file, readable by humans and machines
Norman generates ZUGFeRD invoices as PDF/A-3 with embedded EN 16931 XML, in the right profile per buyer. Incoming ZUGFeRD invoices are recognised automatically, posted, and archived under GoBD. That covers the German B2B e-invoicing mandate for receiving from 2025 and sending from 2027 or 2028.
Built for anyone who has to issue and receive ZUGFeRD invoices
Invoices leave Norman as ZUGFeRD PDF/A-3 with embedded EN 16931 XML, incoming ZUGFeRD invoices are recognised automatically: with posting, input VAT, and audit-proof archiving.
Automated bank categorization (SKR03/04)
Norman continuously assigns bank movements to the right accounts and suggests matching SKR03/04 postings.
Bank feedSynced
Receipt
Team lunch · 84.20 €
IMG_2841.jpeg
Transaction
Oberholz · Aug 10, 2026
Card payment
Smart receipt matching
Forward receipts via app or email. Norman extracts the data and matches them with transactions.
Real-time expense tracking
All expenses broken down by category, automatically updated, and available at any time.
InsightsActive 24/7
Profit margin is down 6%
Financial overview at a glance
Revenue, expenses, and open items in one dashboard that updates with every booking.
AI-powered insights
Norman identifies savings opportunities, flags unusual bookings, and gives you actionable recommendations.
AI insights
Deduction foundHome-office allowance
UnusualDuplicate payment to vendor
- EN 16931 compliant
- PDF/A-3 with embedded XML
- Create and receive ZUGFeRD
- GoBD-archived
How ZUGFeRD runs in Norman: from order to posting
ZUGFeRD emerges from the live invoicing process, with no separate PDF editor or XML converter.
Send
The ZUGFeRD file goes by email or download to B2B buyers: one file with a human-readable PDF layout and structured data, compatible with Factur-X and the German B2B e-invoicing mandate from 2025/2027/2028.
Receive and post
Incoming ZUGFeRD invoices are recognised automatically: Norman reads amounts, VAT rates, and due dates from the embedded XML, books them into input VAT, and archives the original PDF/A-3 in an audit-proof way.
What Norman removes from day-to-day ZUGFeRD work
Norman replaces the double upkeep of PDF and XML, ZUGFeRD profile guesswork, and after-the-fact PDF/A-3 conversion with one continuous workflow.
PDF + XML separately
across two tools with drift between layout and data
Profile guesswork
between MINIMUM, BASIC, EN 16931, and EXTENDED
PDF/A-3 conversion
patched together from regular PDFs after the fact
Norman instead of a PDF template plus a separate XML attachment
ZUGFeRD creation, profile selection, sending, and receiving run in one system instead of bouncing between a PDF editor, an XML converter, and an inbox.
| PDF template + XML converter + inbox | |
|---|---|---|
| Create ZUGFeRD | Generated from the live invoice as PDF/A-3 with embedded EN 16931 XML | Load the PDF into an external converter and manually attach the XML |
| Profile and validation | Norman picks the right ZUGFeRD profile and checks EN 16931 mandatory fields | You guess between MINIMUM, BASIC, EN 16931, and EXTENDED |
| Delivery to B2B buyers | One file by email or download: layout and data in a single PDF/A-3 | PDF and XML separately, every buyer gets a different bundle |
| Incoming ZUGFeRD | Auto-read from the embedded XML, posted, original archived under GoBD | Only the PDF is read, values are re-typed by hand |
Plans that grow with your workflow
Start free and unlock tax, team, and automation features when you need them.
Yearly (3 months free)Monthly
Free
Invoicing and bookkeeping.
€0
/month (excl. VAT)
- Complete double-entry bookkeeping
- AI Autopilot
- Unlimited e-invoicing
- Bank sync (1 account)
- Receipt capture
- AI usage limits apply
Pro
Reports, insights, and advisor tools.
€9
- 25%
/month (excl. VAT)
- BWA & financial reports
- AI tax insights
- DATEV export
- Tax advisor access
- Invoicing Pro plan
- Higher AI limits
Max
Tax filings and team access included.
€39
- 25%
/month (excl. VAT)
- UStVA & ZM filing
- Annual filings (USt & GewSt)
- Multi-user access
- Bank sync (5 accounts)
- Invoicing Pro plan
- Unlimited Norman AI
Start ZUGFeRD with Norman
Start for free and bring invoices, receipts, bookkeeping, and taxes into one workflow.
Start for freeFAQ
What is ZUGFeRD and how does it differ from XRechnung?
ZUGFeRD (Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland) is a hybrid e-invoice format: a PDF/A-3 file with embedded EN 16931 XML, maintained by FeRD under AWV. A single ZUGFeRD invoice is both a readable PDF and a structured data record in one file. XRechnung, by contrast, is pure XML without a PDF, mandatory for invoices to German federal public-sector buyers. For B2B recipients who want layout and structured data together, ZUGFeRD is often the more practical route.
Which ZUGFeRD profiles exist, and which one fits my business?
ZUGFeRD 2.x ships with several profiles: MINIMUM (a few key figures, not EN 16931 compliant), BASIC WL (without line items), BASIC (short invoices with line items), EN 16931 (formerly COMFORT, fully aligned with the European norm), and EXTENDED (extra fields for sectors with complex order logic). EN 16931 is the default most B2B recipients and the German B2B mandate work with. Norman picks the right profile per invoice and ensures all EN 16931 mandatory fields are filled.
Does ZUGFeRD satisfy the German B2B e-invoicing mandate from 2025?
Yes, as long as it's ZUGFeRD version 2.0.1 or newer in an EN 16931-compliant profile (e.g. EN 16931 or EXTENDED). From 1 January 2025, every business based in Germany must be able to receive B2B invoices in a structured format: XRechnung and ZUGFeRD ≥2.0.1 are the two recognised formats. Sending structured B2B invoices phases in: from 1 January 2027 for businesses above €800,000 annual revenue, and from 1 January 2028 for all remaining B2B issuers.
How does Norman handle Factur-X and incoming ZUGFeRD invoices?
ZUGFeRD and the French Factur-X are technically the same hybrid format (PDF/A-3 with embedded EN 16931 XML). Norman recognises incoming ZUGFeRD and Factur-X invoices automatically, reads the structured values (amounts, VAT rates, due dates, supplier) from the embedded XML, posts them into input VAT, and matches the payment. The original PDF/A-3 is archived under GoBD with a timestamp. That covers the German B2B receiving mandate from 2025 and keeps the invoices auditable years later.