Video Chapters:
- 01- Activation of Factur-X Options
- 02- Creating an invoice in Factur-X format
We are ready to generate your invoices in the Factur-X format, the hybrid PDF + XML format compliant with the European standard EN 16931, which is becoming the reference for exchanges between companies in France — and is also recognized in Germany under the name ZUGFeRD. As a reminder, all companies will be required to be able to receive electronic invoices starting September 1, 2026 (see the detailed schedule below).
| Complete your company information Menu Settings → Company Information: company name, full address, and VAT identification number. |
| Enter your clients’ VAT numbers The standard requires the tax identification of the invoice recipient. Check each of your professional clients’ records (menu Clients) and enter their VAT identification number as well as their complete billing address. |
| Without this information, invoices generated in electronic format will be incomplete and may be rejected by your clients or their receiving platform. |
The French reform requires that your professional clients be identified by their SIREN number for the routing of invoices via approved platforms. Synchroteam derives this identifier from the VAT identification number: verify each of your professional clients’ records (Clients menu) and enter their VAT identification number as well as their complete billing address, especially the country.
Without this information, your electronic invoices may be refused when transmitted to your professional clients or their receiving platform. Verify the validity of the numbers entered: an invalid VAT number blocks invoice generation.
Please note: your private clients do not have a VAT number, and this is normal — their invoices are generated without one. Sales to private individuals are not subject to electronic invoicing (they will fall under the e-reporting system).
In France, electronic invoicing becomes mandatory for all companies subject to VAT established in France, regardless of their size: micro-enterprises, very small businesses (TPE), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), intermediate-sized enterprises (ETI), and large companies.
Who is affected?
✅ Large companies
✅ ETI (Intermediate-Sized Enterprises)
✅ SMEs
✅ Very small businesses (TPE)
✅ Micro-entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals subject to VAT, including those benefiting from the VAT exemption scheme.
Implementation schedule
- September 1, 2026: all companies must be able to receive electronic invoices.
- September 1, 2026: obligation to issue electronic invoices for large companies and ETIs.
- September 1, 2027: obligation to issue electronic invoices for SMEs, TPEs, and micro-enterprises.
Which invoices?
The reform mainly concerns B2B transactions (between professionals) carried out in France between VAT-registered companies.
💡 The Clients list now displays a dedicated column and filter for VAT numbers, to quickly identify clients with missing numbers.
Note: the reform requires that the transmission of electronic invoices go through an approved platform. We will provide you separately with connection details.
ZUGFeRD (Germany): the same format under another name
Factur-X and ZUGFeRD are two names for the same standard, published jointly by the French and German e-invoicing bodies (FNFE-MPE and FeRD): a regular PDF invoice with structured XML data embedded inside, compliant with the European norm EN 16931. Invoices generated by Synchroteam use the EN 16931 profile and are therefore valid ZUGFeRD invoices — nothing extra to configure to invoice German customers.
Germany has its own e-invoicing mandate ("E-Rechnung") for domestic B2B transactions, already in force:
- January 1, 2025: all German companies must be able to receive electronic invoices.
- January 1, 2027: obligation to issue electronic invoices for companies with an annual turnover above €800,000.
- January 1, 2028: obligation to issue electronic invoices for all companies.
Unlike France, Germany does not require transmission through an approved platform: e-invoices can be exchanged directly (for example by e-mail), as long as the format complies with EN 16931 — which is the case for the invoices generated by Synchroteam.
For companies based in Germany, Synchroteam accepts either the VAT identification number (USt-IdNr.) or the tax number (Steuernummer) as the company's tax identifier: the Steuernummer field appears automatically in Company Information when your company's country is set to Germany.