E-Invoice Viewer: Open XRechnung and ZUGFeRD for Free

Read e-invoices without installing software

An e-invoice according to EN 16931 is not simply a PDF file: it contains a structured data record in XML format. Accounting software processes it automatically, but without a suitable program it is hard for people to read. That is exactly what the E-Invoice Viewer is for: drag the file into the window and you see the seller, buyer, line items, VAT and payment details just like on a familiar invoice.

How to use the viewer

1. Drag one or more files into the field above or select them via “Choose file”.
2. The viewer detects the format automatically and displays the invoice together with the basic check.
3. Print the invoice, download any attachments it contains or export several invoices as CSV.

Which formats the viewer opens

• XRechnung in UBL format, as an invoice and as a credit note
• XRechnung in CII format (UN/CEFACT Cross Industry Invoice)
• ZUGFeRD 2.x and Factur-X: PDF files with an embedded XML invoice, in the profiles MINIMUM to EXTENDED and in the XRECHNUNG profile

Important: the MINIMUM and BASIC WL profiles do not contain all information required by EN 16931. Whether such an invoice is sufficient for the e-invoicing obligation is best clarified with your tax advisor. The viewer still displays them. The viewer recognises the older version ZUGFeRD 1.0 but does not display it. A regular PDF invoice without an embedded XML file is not an e-invoice. In this case the viewer tells you which attachments it found in the PDF.

Your invoice stays on your device

Invoices contain bank details, prices and customer data. That is why the viewer reads every file exclusively in your browser. There is no upload, no storage on our servers and no sign-up. You can check this yourself: open your browser’s developer tools, switch to the “Network” tab and drag an invoice into the window. You will not find any request that contains your invoice.

Basic check of mandatory fields and totals

For every invoice the viewer shows a basic check. It verifies selected EN 16931 rules, for example whether the invoice number, date, seller and buyer are present and whether line items, net amount, VAT and amount due add up. For an XRechnung, rules of the XRechnung standard are added, such as the buyer reference (the Leitweg-ID for public-sector buyers) and the seller’s contact details. Every message names the rule concerned, so you can clarify it with the invoice issuer. The basic check does not replace a complete validation such as the one performed by the KoSIT validator.

Several invoices at once

You can select several files at the same time. The viewer then shows an overview with invoice number, date, seller, net, tax and gross amount and the result of the basic check. With one click you export the overview as a CSV file that opens directly in Excel. You can print individual invoices from the print view or save them as PDF.

Why e-invoices matter now

Since 1 January 2025, all companies in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices in domestic B2B business. As things currently stand, from 2027 companies with more than €800,000 in prior-year turnover must issue e-invoices, and from 2028 in principle all companies in domestic B2B business. Exceptions apply, among others, to small-amount invoices up to €250 and to sales to private customers. Which obligations and transition rules apply to your business is best clarified with your tax advisor. Read what this means for online retailers on our page E-invoicing with SaleVali and in our blog article on mandatory e-invoicing.