Factur-X vs ZUGFeRD — Same Format, Two Names Explained
Factur-X 1.x and ZUGFeRD 2.x are technically identical: a PDF/A-3 file with a human-readable invoice layout and an embedded machine-readable CII XML invoice. ZUGFeRD is the German name (maintained by FeRD); Factur-X is the Franco-European name (maintained by FNFE-mpe). Same schema, same 5 profiles, same validation rules.
Forum elektronische Rechnung Deutschland (FeRD) published ZUGFeRD 1.0 — a PDF/A-3 hybrid format with embedded UN/CEFACT CII XML. Four profiles: BASIC, COMFORT, EXTENDED, EXTENDED_B2C. Widely adopted in German accounting software.
2017
Factur-X 1.0 launched (France + Germany)
FNFE-mpe (France) and FeRD (Germany) collaborated to produce Factur-X 1.0 — technically identical to the updated ZUGFeRD 2.0 but released under the Factur-X brand for European adoption. Five profiles aligned with EN 16931.
2019–now
Synchronized releases
Factur-X 1.x and ZUGFeRD 2.x releases are published simultaneously and are technically identical. The current version is Factur-X 1.08 / ZUGFeRD 2.3. ZUGFeRD 1.x remains in use in legacy German systems but is a different, older format.
The five Factur-X / ZUGFeRD profiles
MINIMUM
Document-level totals only — no line items. Designed for book-keeping and simple payment processing where line detail is not needed. Not accepted for VAT deduction in most EU jurisdictions that require line-item detail.
BASIC-WL (Without Lines)
Header information and payment/VAT summaries, but no individual line items. Useful for simple services invoices where itemization is not required by the buyer. More structured than MINIMUM but still limited for complex procurement scenarios.
BASIC
Line items added — the first profile that supports full invoice detail. A good practical choice for simple invoices. Not fully EN 16931 compliant (some optional EN 16931 fields are not supported), but covers most common invoicing scenarios.
EN 16931 (COMFORT)
Full EN 16931 compliance — the recommended profile for French B2B mandate compliance (Chorus Pro and PDP), German B2B, and cross-border EU invoicing. Supports all mandatory and optional EN 16931 fields. Also called COMFORT in older ZUGFeRD documentation.
EXTENDED
Superset of EN 16931 with additional supply-chain fields (delivery details, contract references, additional party information). Used in complex procurement and logistics chains. Not required for standard B2B or B2G compliance — only adopt if your buyer specifically requests it.
Which profile should I use?
For the French B2B mandate (2026+) and Chorus Pro B2G: EN 16931 or higher is required — MINIMUM, BASIC-WL and BASIC are not accepted. For German B2B (2025–2027 mandate): EN 16931 is recommended. For Austrian B2G (ebInterface compatibility layer): EXTENDED may be needed. For general B2B use: EN 16931 is the best balance of compatibility and feature coverage. Default to EN 16931 unless your buyer requires something else.
ZUGFeRD 1.x vs 2.x — are they the same?
No. ZUGFeRD 1.x uses a different XML namespace and schema — it predates EN 16931 and has only four profiles. ZUGFeRD 2.x = Factur-X 1.x (same format, two names). If you receive a ZUGFeRD 1.x invoice from a legacy SAP R/3 system, the PDF looks similar but the embedded XML is structurally different. aiDoks validates and generates Factur-X / ZUGFeRD 2.x; ZUGFeRD 1.x support is limited.
Factur-X vs ZUGFeRD: FAQ
Are Factur-X and ZUGFeRD the same format?
Yes — Factur-X 1.x and ZUGFeRD 2.x are technically identical. The same XML schema (UN/CEFACT CII), the same 5 profile levels, the same PDF/A-3 embedding rules. The difference is branding and governance: ZUGFeRD is the German name maintained by FeRD (Forum elektronische Rechnung Deutschland); Factur-X is the Franco-European name maintained by FNFE-mpe. Both organisations collaborate and release synchronized versions.
What is ZUGFeRD 1.x and is it still used?
ZUGFeRD 1.x (published 2014) is an older format with a different XML namespace and schema than ZUGFeRD 2.x / Factur-X 1.x. It has only 4 profiles (BASIC, COMFORT, EXTENDED, EXTENDED_B2C) and predates EN 16931. It is still encountered in legacy German systems (particularly SAP R/3 environments) but is not recommended for new implementations. aiDoks validates Factur-X / ZUGFeRD 2.x; ZUGFeRD 1.x support is limited.
What are the five Factur-X / ZUGFeRD profiles?
From least to most detailed: MINIMUM (just document-level totals, no line items — for book-keeping only), BASIC-WL (header + summaries, no line items), BASIC (line items added, a common practical choice), EN 16931 / COMFORT (full EN 16931 compliance, required for French B2B mandate), EXTENDED (superset of EN 16931 with additional supply-chain fields). For French Chorus Pro and B2B mandate compliance, use EN 16931 or higher.
Can I send Factur-X / ZUGFeRD through PEPPOL?
No — PEPPOL transports UBL or CII XML, not PDF attachments. Factur-X is a PDF format (the PDF is the primary file, with CII XML embedded). You can extract the embedded CII XML from a Factur-X PDF and send that over PEPPOL, but the hybrid PDF itself is not a PEPPOL document. For French B2B via PDP or PPF, all three formats (Factur-X, UBL, CII) are accepted; Factur-X is the most common.
Which countries mandate Factur-X or ZUGFeRD?
France is the primary mandate driver: Factur-X is required for B2G (Chorus Pro) and is the recommended format for the B2B mandate rolling out from September 2026. Germany accepts ZUGFeRD/Factur-X as a valid format for the B2B e-invoicing mandate from 2025. Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland are exploring Factur-X adoption. For cross-border EU e-invoicing, PEPPOL UBL remains the dominant format.
Does aiDoks validate both Factur-X and ZUGFeRD?
Yes — the aiDoks validator accepts Factur-X and ZUGFeRD 2.x PDF/A-3 files directly. It extracts the embedded CII XML automatically, detects the declared profile, and validates against the official Factur-X 1.08 schematron for that profile plus the underlying EN 16931 rules. Error reports include the profile name, rule ID and a plain-English description. Upload the PDF — no need to extract the XML manually.
Generate a Factur-X EN 16931 PDF from your invoice data, or upload any Factur-X / ZUGFeRD PDF to validate it. All five profiles. Instant report with rule IDs.