in connection with the Terms of use for the Federal Central Invoice Submission Portal (ZRE)
Effective from: 13 November 2024
Depending on the transmission method used and how supporting documents are attached (embedded in the invoice or added as a reference), restrictions will apply to the file size of electronic invoices and to the number and size of supporting documents that may be submitted. The invoice will be processed if the permitted file size is not exceeded.
Supporting documents sent with an invoice via web submission as attachments that are completely integrated into the invoice in accordance with the XRechnung standard may not exceed a total file size of 11 MB. The number of supporting documents that can be sent with an invoice is limited to 200.
Using the function “large attachments”, supporting documents of up to 200 MB can be uploaded to the ZRE and added to the invoice as a reference in the field BT-124 (External document location) of the XRechnung standard. Supporting documents, together with the electronic invoice, remain available for download by the invoice recipient for up to 60 days (a period which may be extended one time only for a further 60 days).
The file size for electronic invoices submitted using the upload method, including their attachments, may not exceed 15 MB. The number of supporting documents that can be sent with an invoice is limited to 200.
Note: Using the upload method, only one file (invoice in XML format) can be uploaded at a time. If a file type other than XML is uploaded, it will be rejected by the system.
For invoices submitted via upload, “large attachments” of up to 200 MB that have been uploaded via web submission can be added to an invoice as a reference in the field BT-124 of the XRechnung standard (see “web submission” above).
The file size of electronic invoices submitted via email (xrechnung@portal.bund.de for the production environment; ref.xrechnung@portal.bund.de for the test environment) may not exceed 15 MB, including supporting documents. The number of supporting documents that can be sent with an invoice is limited to 200. It should also be noted that any text entries in the email will not be taken into account.
Note: Each email (sent to xrechnung@portal.bund.de for the production environment; ref.xrechnung@portal.bund.de for the test environment) may only include one invoice and its embedded supporting documents. Emails containing more than one invoice will be deleted.
The file size of electronic invoices submitted via Peppol may not exceed 100 MB, including embedded supporting documents. The number of supporting documents that can be sent with an invoice is limited to 200.
For invoices submitted via Peppol, “large attachments” of up to 200 MB that have been uploaded via web submission can be added to an invoice as a reference in the field BT-124 of the XRechnung standard (see “web submission” above).
Supporting documents can be embedded in electronic invoices in the following file formats:
When using the XRechnung standard version 2.0.0 (or newer), which includes an extension, the following format can also be used:
Note: The invoice sender should take into account any technical restrictions on the part of the invoice recipient. For instance, security authorities may only receive attachments in PDF/A format. The invoice sender should ask the invoice recipient whether any such restrictions apply, and if so which.
To use the ZRE web submission or upload methods, the user must have internet access as well as the necessary software and hardware to display websites.
There are three different ways to submit e-invoices using Peppol:
Note: To use the ZRE with the Federal Peppol web service, the user must have internet access as well as software and hardware that meet the interface specification.
Please note that additional restrictions apply when using the Federal Peppol web service.
The web interface is designed to be displayed on desktops or laptops.
The web interface is designed for display in the following browsers:
JavaScript and a component for displaying PDF documents must be activated in the browser used.
The web interface is designed for a maximum resolution of 1280px (width).
The web interface has been designed in accordance with the Ordinance on Accessible Information Technology 2.0 (Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung, BITV 2.0) and EU Directive 2016/2102. The accessibility statement for the ZRE can be found here.