E-invoicing: technical implementation in Stripe
In this article, you will learn how to implement e-invoicing in Stripe Billing.
Introduction
If you create your invoices via Stripe, the introduction of mandatory e-invoicing has raised a new question: is the PDF invoice from Stripe still sufficient, or do you need a structured format?
By default, Stripe generates a PDF, and for VAT purposes, this does not constitute an e-invoice. To send genuine e-invoices from Stripe, we recommend the Fizard app, which can be integrated directly into Stripe.
First, a few clarifications, as there are often misunderstandings regarding e-invoices from Stripe.
An e-invoice is not a specially formatted PDF, but an invoice in a structured data format that software can read automatically.
Furthermore, the requirement does not come into force in 2028: the ability to receive e-invoices has been mandatory for all domestic businesses since January 2025.
The rules governing sending e-invoices also vary. Until the end of 2026, you may continue to send B2B invoices as PDFs with the recipient’s consent; from 2027 onwards, this will depend on your turnover in the previous year. Invoices to private customers remain permanently exempt from this requirement.
You don’t need expensive specialist software to do this. Fizard is available free of charge on the Stripe App Marketplace and handles the conversion and sending automatically.
Why the PDF from Stripe isn’t enough
Stripe Invoicing and Stripe Billing generate a PDF for each invoice and send it by email. This covers standard invoice dispatch but does not meet the requirements for an e-invoice.
An e-invoice, as defined by VAT legislation, is an invoice in a structured electronic format in accordance with the European standard EN 16931. A standard PDF, on the other hand, is classified as an ‘other invoice’ – whilst it can be read, it cannot be processed automatically.
Stripe does not generate these structured formats itself. Instead, Stripe supports sending e-invoices via app partners from the Stripe App Marketplace, which can be set up without any programming. Fizard is one of these partners.
XRechnung and ZUGFeRD
In Germany, two formats are widely used, both of which comply with the EN 16931 standard. XRechnung consists exclusively of an XML data set and is purely machine-readable. ZUGFeRD is a hybrid format: a PDF with embedded XML that remains readable by humans whilst also being machine-processable.
Fizard generates e-invoices in the ZUGFeRD format. For you and your customers, this means that the invoice still looks like a standard PDF, but contains the structured data required by law.
When this applies to you
When it comes to e-invoicing, it is worth distinguishing between receiving and sending, as different deadlines apply.
Receipt is already regulated. Since 1 January 2025, every domestic company must be able to receive and process e-invoices. To begin with, an email inbox into which the invoices are received is sufficient.
Staggered transition periods apply to sending:
| Period | What applies to sending |
|---|---|
| Until 31 December 2026 | Paper invoices still permitted; PDFs only with the recipient’s consent |
| 2027 | E-invoicing mandatory for businesses with a turnover exceeding €800,000 in the previous year; PDFs remain permitted for lower turnover figures |
| From 1 January 2028 | E-invoicing mandatory for all domestic B2B transactions |
The €800,000 threshold refers to the total turnover for the previous year. Therefore, your turnover in 2026 will determine whether you are subject to the requirement from 2027.
Not every invoice is covered by the requirement. In some cases, you may continue to use the previous format indefinitely.
Which invoices are exempt from the e-invoicing requirement
Exemptions include, amongst others, small-value invoices up to €250 gross, travel tickets and certain VAT-exempt services under Section 4 Nos. 8 to 29 of the German VAT Act (UStG). Small businesses under Section 19 of the German VAT Act (UStG) are also not required to issue e-invoices, but must still be able to receive them. Invoices to private customers (B2C) are not subject to the obligation to send e-invoices.
Sending e-invoices from Stripe using Fizard
Word-for-word transcript
To send e-invoices via Stripe, we need an additional app called Fizard.
It’s an app that connects to your Stripe account and generates the e-invoice in the background.
As soon as Stripe creates a PDF invoice or credit note, Fizard checks the data and converts these invoices into a ZUGFeRD e-invoice for customers in Germany. This is then automatically sent by email.
Customers in other countries will continue to receive a PDF. You do not need to change your invoicing process in Stripe for this. You create invoices as usual and the conversion takes place automatically in the background. To set up Fizard, we first open the App Marketplace and click on ‘Explore the App Marketplace’.
Next, we search for the Fizard app and find the ‘E-Invoice, E-Rechnungen’ app here. We click on it once and install the app.
We then go to the app settings, where the app guides us through the setup process.
In the first step, you’ll be prompted to disable the inclusion of PDF links and attachments in invoice emails and on the payment page. In the second step, you’ll need to set the default tax ID, i.e. the VAT number. Once this is set up, you’ll see a widget at the top here.
And when you issue invoices, you can click on this widget to see that the e-invoice has been generated and sent correctly.
I have a sample invoice here. And if I now click on this widget, I can see that the e-invoice has been generated, and I can either download it here or resend it.
Fizard is an app that connects to your Stripe account and generates the e-invoice in the background. As soon as Stripe creates a PDF invoice or credit note, Fizard checks the data and converts the invoice into a ZUGFeRD e-invoice for customers in Germany. This is then automatically sent by email. Customers in other countries will continue to receive a PDF.
You do not need to change your invoicing process in Stripe. You create invoices as usual, and the conversion happens automatically.
How to set up Fizard
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Open Fizard in the Stripe App Marketplace
Open the Stripe App Marketplace and search for the “E-Invoice / E-Rechnung” app by Fizard at marketplace.stripe.com/apps/e-invoice-e-rechnung.
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Install the app
Install the app in just a few clicks directly from the Marketplace and connect it to your Stripe account.
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Check your sender details
You enter or check your full invoicing details in Stripe – company name, address, tax number or VAT number. Fizard transfers this information to the e-invoice.
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Create a test invoice
You create a test invoice in Stripe and check in the Fizard sidebar whether the e-invoice has been generated and sent correctly.
What Fizard displays in the Stripe dashboard
Fizard displays a sidebar in the Stripe dashboard where you can see the status of each invoice – creation date, dispatch status and any errors. From there, you can also manually resend or download an e-invoice. This allows you to keep track of everything without having to switch between different systems.
The app is available free of charge on the Stripe App Marketplace. There are no additional licence fees for sending e-invoices from Stripe.
Fizard is not responsible for your own incoming invoices – that is, e-invoices you receive from suppliers. We organise the receipt and posting of these invoices jointly via your accounts department \[Link zu einem Hilfsartikel].
Common sources of error
- Incomplete master data in Stripe: If the address, tax number or VAT number is missing, the e-invoice may not contain the mandatory details. The invoice may then be rejected by the recipient or require correction.
- B2B and B2C not separated: If every invoice is treated as an e-invoice across the board, this creates unnecessary work for private customers. There is no obligation to issue e-invoices for B2C invoices.
- Lack of consent during the transition period: Anyone who continues to send PDFs during the transition period requires the recipient’s consent to do so. Without this agreement, PDFs are not permitted in the B2B sector.
- Credit notes overlooked: Credit notes are also subject to the e-invoicing requirement. Fizard processes them automatically, provided they are set up as credit notes in Stripe.
- Reception not set up: The obligation to send e-invoices does not replace the obligation to receive them. Anyone who cannot receive e-invoices may miss incoming invoices and the right to claim input tax.
- Mistaken deadline: The obligation to receive e-invoices has been in force since 2025, whilst the obligation to send them comes into effect later and in stages. Anyone who treats the two as equivalent will misjudge the action they need to take.
Division of responsibilities
Your tasks:
- Maintain your Stripe account and invoice master data in full
- Install Fizard and connect it to Stripe
- Create invoices in Stripe as usual
- Ensure recipient details are complete for B2B customers
Our tasks:
- Receiving and posting your invoices via the accounts department
- Checking that your invoicing complies with VAT requirements
- Advice on deadlines, exceptions and your specific turnover threshold
The breakdown can be tailored to your processes. Please get in touch if you’d like support with setting up or integrating Stripe, Fizard and your accounts department.
Frequently asked questions
Is the standard PDF invoice from Stripe not sufficient?
In the B2B sector, only to a limited extent. For VAT purposes, a PDF is classified as a ‘miscellaneous invoice’ and, during the transitional period until the end of 2026, may only be used with the recipient’s consent. From 2027, it will no longer be permitted depending on turnover, and from 2028, it will no longer be permitted for all B2B transactions.
How much does Fizard cost?
Fizard’s e-invoice app is available free of charge on the Stripe App Marketplace. There are no additional licence fees for sending e-invoices via Stripe.
Will my private customers also receive an e-invoice?
There is no obligation to do so, as B2C invoices are exempt from the e-invoicing requirement. Fizard sends e-invoices to customers in Germany; customers abroad will continue to receive a PDF.
In what format does Fizard send e-invoices?
Fizard uses the ZUGFeRD format, a PDF with an embedded XML data set. It complies with the EN 16931 standard and is readable by both humans and software.
Do I need to change my workflow in Stripe?
No. You create invoices in Stripe as usual. Fizard generates and sends the e-invoice in the background as soon as the invoice is created in Stripe.
Are credit notes also taken into account?
Yes. As soon as a credit note is created in Stripe, Fizard processes it in the same way as an invoice and generates the corresponding e-invoice document.
Can I also send an e-invoice manually?
Yes. In the Fizard sidebar on the Stripe dashboard, you can resend or download an e-invoice at any time.
Does Fizard also handle the receipt of e-invoices?
No. Fizard handles sending e-invoices from Stripe. We organise the receipt of your incoming e-invoices together via your accounts department.
Is Fizard compliant with data protection regulations?
Fizard states that it operates in compliance with the GDPR. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the processing of your invoice data or the necessary agreements.
Legal notice
This article provides an overview and is not a substitute for individual advice. The regulations governing e-invoicing and the transition periods are subject to change; the current status applies in each case. The scope of functions and menu navigation in Stripe and Fizard may change as a result of updates, and the terms and conditions mentioned are subject to the respective provider.
If you have specific questions regarding your turnover threshold, exemptions or set-up, please contact us directly.
As at: June 2026