Digitization has long since taken hold of the skilled trades as well, and the e-invoicing obligation, which will come into force from 2025, is another important step in this direction. In this blog post, you’ll find out what tradespeople should know about the e-invoicing obligation and how you can optimally prepare for the changeover.
At first glance, it seems like a lot of work for you. But the second, more far-reaching look will show that the one-time effort to set it up will pay off in the long run and give you plenty of capacity.
Table of content
- Why is e-invoicing mandatory from 2025?
- What does the e-invoicing obligation for craftsmen mean?
- Preparing for the e-invoicing obligation: tips for craftsmen
- Feedback of current companies
- Conclusion on the e-invoicing obligation for craftsmen
Why is e-invoicing mandatory from 2025?
The e-invoice requirement is part of a broader movement to digitize and simplify business processes. Electronic invoices are intended to reduce paper mountains and manual effort, minimize errors and increase efficiency. This affects not only large companies, but also craft businesses. In the future, input tax will no longer be paid from paper invoices, but from e-invoices.
The outcry among many primarily small businesses is currently still great. However, with good preparation, you hardly need to worry about your business. What’s more, from prospective 2025 onwards, companies will have to be able to receive e-invoices, but not create them themselves! It cannot be ruled out that this date will be postponed again. Nevertheless, you should make your preparations in advance.
What does the e-invoicing obligation for craftsmen mean?
For some time now, craft businesses, among others, have been required to submit their invoices to public-sector customers and institutions in electronic form. But what does electronic form mean? Isn’t a PDF document also a digital document? In principle, yes, but the e-bill stands for something completely different. Because an e-bill is a hybrid format that has both machine-readable content and content that can be read by humans.
So it is no longer enough to create an invoice digitally, sign it and send it by e-mail, for example. The e-invoice can be created and sent in the form of the ZUGFeRD format or also as an XInvoice.
Preparing for the e-invoicing obligation: tips for craftsmen
Switching to e-invoices requires some preparation. However, if you start promptly, the time to implementation is absolutely manageable and should not be a major challenge for you. Here are some tips on how craftsmen can optimally prepare for the e-billing obligation from 2025:
Invest in suitable software
Look for an invoice software that supports the creation and signing of e-invoices. Make sure that the software meets the legal requirements and is compatible with the platforms of public clients. easybill as online invoice software already supports the formats ZUGFeRD and XRechnung, which may be used as a basis for e-billing.
Intuitively, you create an invoice just like any other. You select the versioning and the file format and already after finishing your invoice, the e-bill format is available. Sounds too simple to be true? But it is!
Train your employees
Training is crucial. But does it have to be time-consuming or complicated? Absolutely not. To ensure your employees are familiar with the material and know how to create and send e-invoices, start the knowledge transfer early. This can make the transition smoother and ensure compliance.
However, with easybill, you are in the best hands. Why? Because we take care of training your employees. Save yourself the time and effort. Just make sure your employee has easybill access and let our outstanding support team handle the rest. We show the basic functions of the software, the invoice creation and also the data handling of customer data and invoice items.
Trust the know-how of experts
Are you still unsure about what the switch to e-billing means for your company? Don’t hesitate to contact experts or consultants in the field of e-billing. They can help with implementation and training. To top it off, talk to your tax advisor, because he or she also knows your company well.
Ask about any special features that need to be taken into account. Or start creating an e-bill even before the introduction in 2026 (from then on, every company must be able to create and send e-bills).
Feedback of current companies
In many forums you can read about scaremongering, threatening company closures and so on. Don’t let this infect you and drive you crazy. Currently, many companies are already using XInvoices because they work for authorities or institutions that already require e-invoices. The feedback here is consistently very positive. The changeover alone is for most the step of overcoming, or the step that currently acts as a deterrent.
However, once people have familiarized themselves with the e-billing requirement for tradespeople and also give digitization a chance and focus on the benefits, they will quickly realize that the negative attitude is not necessary.
Conclusion on the e-invoicing obligation for craftsmen
The e-invoicing requirement from 2025 will of course bring changes that will affect the way craft businesses do business. However, doubts, inhibitions, fear or worse are really out of place if you inform yourself beforehand. By preparing ahead of time and using appropriate tools and training, you can successfully manage the transition and reap the benefits of digitization. Stay up to date to ensure that your craft business meets the requirements of e-invoicing.
Postscript to the blog
The introduction of e-invoicing has been postponed once again during the transition period. It is likely that the obligation to create e-invoices will apply from 01.01.2027 or 01.01.2028 and until then, but in 2025, it will remain possible to receive e-invoices. As always, we will keep you up to date if we receive any new information.
Read also:
How customer experience can increase the sales of your online store
Show labor costs and material costs separately (german help center)
Invoices in ZUGFeRD format (XRechnung) (german help center)