Create an invoice or e-invoice for free

Fill in one simple form and download a professional PDF invoice, a ZUGFeRD / Factur-X e-invoice, or an XRechnung. Export and customs details for shipping abroad are included. Every e-invoice is checked against the official rules before you download it.

What do you need?

Simple invoice (PDF)For anyone: freelancers, small shops, one-off sales and shipments abroad E-invoice: ZUGFeRD / Factur-XA PDF with the invoice data inside, for businesses in Germany, France and the EU XRechnung (XML)For German public-sector customers, and businesses that ask for it

Your details

Business or your name * Street and number Postcode City Country * Email Phone Contact person VAT ID Tax number Company registration (optional)

Remember my details on this device (saved only in this browser, never sent to Filekin)

Customer

Customer name * Street and number Postcode City Country * Email Customer's VAT ID Their order number Buyer reference / Leitweg-ID German public-sector customers give you a Leitweg-ID, like 04011000-12345-03. Businesses may give you a cost-center or reference number.

Invoice

Invoice number * Invoice date * Due date Delivery or service date Currency Invoice language

It's for a period of time (like a month of work or a subscription)

What you're charging for

Tax Call it

Payment

IBAN BIC Account holder Payment terms Notes (optional)

Shipping goods abroad? Add export and customs details (makes it a commercial invoice)

Your details are sent securely to Filekin to make the file, and deleted right after your download. Nothing is kept.

How to create an invoice or e-invoice

Choose what you need: a simple PDF invoice, a ZUGFeRD / Factur-X e-invoice, or an XRechnung.
Fill in your details and your customer's. Tick Remember my details to have yours ready next time, saved only in your browser.
Add a line for each product or service, with quantity, price and tax rate. The totals add up as you type.
Pick the tax option that fits, add your bank details and, for goods sent abroad, the export and customs details.
Click Create and download your invoice. E-invoices are checked against the official rules first.

Common questions

Is this invoice generator really free?

Yes. No signup, no limit on invoices and no watermark or Filekin logo on them. Filekin is paid for by ads on its pages, never on your invoices.

What does an invoice need to include?

Your name and address and your customer's, a unique invoice number, the invoice date, what you delivered and when, the quantity and price, and the total. In the EU it also needs your VAT ID or tax number, the VAT rate and amount for each rate, or the reason no VAT is charged. Every field this form asks for is there for that reason.

What's the difference between a PDF invoice and an e-invoice?

A PDF invoice is meant for people to read. An e-invoice carries the invoice data in a fixed, machine-readable XML format (EN 16931), so the customer's accounting software reads it without anyone typing it in. A ZUGFeRD or Factur-X invoice is both: a normal-looking PDF with the XML inside.

Do I have to send e-invoices in Germany?

Since 1 January 2025 every business in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices from other German businesses. Sending them becomes required from 1 January 2027 for businesses with more than €800,000 turnover in the previous year, and from 1 January 2028 for all. Until then a PDF invoice is still allowed. Invoices to consumers and to customers abroad aren't affected.

XRechnung or ZUGFeRD: which one should I choose?

Choose XRechnung when your customer is a German public authority, or asks for it. For businesses, ZUGFeRD / Factur-X is usually easiest: it's a real e-invoice and also a PDF anyone can open, so it works even for customers whose software can't read e-invoices yet.

What is a Leitweg-ID and where do I get it?

A Leitweg-ID is the routing number German public authorities use to receive e-invoices, like 04011000-12345-03. You don't make it up: the authority gives it to you, usually in the order. Put it in the Buyer reference field.

How do I write an invoice as a Kleinunternehmer (small business)?

Choose No VAT: small business exemption. For a German seller the invoice then says Gemäß § 19 UStG wird keine Umsatzsteuer berechnet, and no VAT is added. German small businesses don't have to send e-invoices, but they must be able to receive them.

How do I invoice an EU business without VAT (reverse charge)?

For services to a business in another EU country, choose reverse charge. For goods sent to one, choose intra-EU supply. Enter your VAT ID and your customer's: both are required, and the invoice states why no VAT is charged.

What is a commercial invoice for export, and what goes on it?

It's the invoice customs and couriers ask for when you ship goods abroad. Tick Add export and customs details to add the Incoterms, your EORI number, the reason for export, weights and packages, and each item's HS tariff code and country of origin. A declaration with a line to sign is added too.

Can I use it for US sales tax, GST or no tax at all?

Yes. Simple invoices can call the tax VAT, Sales tax, GST or Tax, with any rate per line, and can leave tax out completely. Invoices can be in English, German or French, in 27 currencies, on A4 or US Letter paper depending on your country.

Are my invoice details stored?

No. They are sent securely to Filekin to make your file and deleted right after your download. Remember my details saves your own details only in your browser, never on Filekin's server.

Can my accounting software read these e-invoices?

It should. ZUGFeRD / Factur-X invoices use the EN 16931 profile and XRechnung invoices follow XRechnung 3.0, the formats German and French software is built to read. Each one passes the official validation rules before you can download it.