Create a professional invoice for Germany in EUR, with VAT calculated at 19%. Below you’ll find what an invoice in Germany must include, current rates and local rules — plus a free generator already set up for Germany.
€25,000 previous-year and €100,000 current-year turnover (§ 19 UStG)
Required information on an invoice in Germany
Make sure every invoice you issue in Germany includes:
Full name and address of you and your customer
Your tax number (Steuernummer) or VAT ID (USt-IdNr.)
Invoice date and a unique, consecutive invoice number
Quantity and description of the goods or type and scope of the service
Date (or month) of delivery or service
Net amount broken down by tax rate, and any agreed discounts
Applicable VAT rate and VAT amount — or a note on the exemption (e.g. “Gemäß § 19 UStG wird keine Umsatzsteuer berechnet.”)
For reverse charge: the note “Steuerschuldnerschaft des Leistungsempfängers” and both VAT IDs
Rules and tips for Germany
Kleinunternehmer (§ 19 UStG): since 2025 you can skip VAT if turnover was at most €25,000 in the previous year and stays at most €100,000 in the current year. State the exemption on every invoice.
B2B e-invoicing: since 1 January 2025 every business must be able to receive structured e-invoices (XRechnung or ZUGFeRD). Issuing them becomes mandatory from 2027 for businesses with prior-year turnover above €800,000 and from 2028 for all; plain PDFs remain allowed until then.
Invoices up to €250 gross (Kleinbetragsrechnung) need fewer details: your name and address, date, description, gross amount and VAT rate.
Invoices must be kept for 8 years (reduced from 10 years in 2025).
Sample invoice for Germany
This is what a typical invoice looks like with EUR amounts and USt. applied. Create your own in the generator — your data never leaves your browser.
Sample
YC
Your Company
123 Business Street
Germany
Tax ID: DE123456789
Invoice
Invoice no.
2026-0042
Date
01.10.2026
Due date
15.10.2026
Bill to
Client Company
45 Client Avenue, Germany
Description
Qty
Unit price
Amount
Consulting services (hours)
10
73,00 €
730,00 €
Website design
1
1.000,00 €
1.000,00 €
Subtotal1.730,00 €
USt. 19%328,70 €
Total2.058,70 €
Payment within 14 days by bank transfer. Thank you for your business!
Open the BillKit invoice generator using the button above — it is already set to EUR and VAT at 19%.
Add your business details: name, address and your tax or VAT registration number.
Enter your client’s name, address and (for business clients) their tax ID.
Give the invoice a unique sequential number, an issue date and a due date.
List each product or service with quantity and unit price; adjust the tax rate if a reduced rate or exemption applies.
Check the totals, add payment details, then download the PDF and send it to your client.
Frequently asked questions
What is the VAT rate in Germany?
The standard VAT rate in Germany is 19%. Reduced rates of 7% apply to certain goods and services.
Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices in Germany?
Generally yes, once you are registered for VAT. Businesses below the registration or small-business threshold (€25,000 previous-year and €100,000 current-year turnover (§ 19 UStG)) usually do not charge VAT — in that case don’t show it on the invoice and, where required, state the exemption.
Which currency should I use on an invoice in Germany?
Invoices in Germany are normally issued in Euro (EUR). You can usually invoice in a foreign currency, but many tax authorities require the tax amount to also be stated in the local currency.
How long do I need to keep invoices in Germany?
Keep copies of all issued and received invoices for at least 8 years.
What must an invoice in Germany include?
Key elements include: Full name and address of you and your customer; Your tax number (Steuernummer) or VAT ID (USt-IdNr.); Invoice date and a unique, consecutive invoice number; Quantity and description of the goods or type and scope of the service; Date (or month) of delivery or service.
⚠️ General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and may depend on your situation — confirm with a local tax adviser or the tax authority. Last reviewed October 2026.
