Generate Professional Invoices in Minutes
Enter Your Business & Client Details
Fill in your name or company name, address, and contact details. Add your client's information and VAT number if applicable. Upload your logo for a fully branded invoice.
Add Your Products or Services
List your line items with descriptions and prices. Enter your own MwSt (Umsatzsteuer) rate and BooInvoice displays the tax amount, net total, and gross total — no spreadsheet required.
Download Your PDF Invoice
Download a clean, professional PDF invoice instantly. Email it to your client or save it for your Finanzamt records and Umsatzsteuer returns.
Invoicing in Germany — What Businesses Typically Include
The information below is a general overview of common invoicing practice in Germany. It is not legal or tax advice — for guidance specific to your business, consult a Steuerberater or refer to the Bundeszentralamt fur Steuern at bzst.de.
Umsatzsteuer (MwSt/VAT) in Germany
Germany's standard Umsatzsteuer (value added tax, commonly abbreviated as MwSt or USt) rate is 19%. A reduced rate of 7% applies to essential goods and services including food, books, newspapers, public transport, and hotel accommodation. German businesses must register for Umsatzsteuer with their local Finanzamt (tax office). The Kleinunternehmerregelung (small business exemption) under Section 19 UStG allows businesses with annual revenue below EUR 22,000 (previous year) and projected revenue below EUR 50,000 (current year) to opt out of charging MwSt — though they cannot reclaim input VAT either.
Steuernummer and USt-IdNr
German businesses receive a Steuernummer (tax number) from their local Finanzamt, used for domestic tax filings. For intra-EU transactions, businesses also need a USt-IdNr (Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer) — the German VAT identification number beginning with DE followed by 9 digits. Both numbers serve different purposes: the Steuernummer is for domestic reporting, while the USt-IdNr is required for cross-border EU invoicing where the reverse charge mechanism applies.
What a German Invoice (Rechnung) Must Include
German tax law (UStG Section 14) specifies strict requirements for invoices. A valid Rechnung must contain: the full name and address of both seller and buyer, your Steuernummer or USt-IdNr, a unique sequential invoice number (Rechnungsnummer), the invoice date and the date of supply if different, a clear description of the goods or services, the net amount, the applicable MwSt rate and amount, the gross total, and any applicable exemptions or reverse charge annotations. German invoicing requirements are among the most detailed in the EU.
Freiberufler and Freelance Invoicing
Germany has a significant community of Freiberufler (freelance professionals) — including IT consultants, designers, translators, engineers, and other skilled professionals — who are classified differently from Gewerbetreibende (commercial traders) under German tax law. Freiberufler do not pay Gewerbesteuer (trade tax) but must still charge and remit Umsatzsteuer unless they qualify for the Kleinunternehmerregelung. Many German freelancers invoice clients across the EU and internationally — BooInvoice's multi-currency support makes it straightforward to invoice in EUR for DACH and EU clients and in other currencies for clients elsewhere.
Everything You Need to Invoice Professionally
Custom logo, tax rate field you control, multiple currencies, unlimited downloads — all completely free.
Why German Businesses & Freelancers Choose BooInvoice
Germany has the largest economy in Europe and a significant community of Freiberufler, Einzelunternehmer, and small GmbHs. Whether you are a tech consultant in Berlin, a designer in Munich, or a freelancer in Hamburg, having invoices that meet the strict requirements of German tax law is essential for getting paid and staying compliant with your Finanzamt.
BooInvoice gives German businesses a free, straightforward invoicing tool. Add your Steuernummer or USt-IdNr, enter your own MwSt rate, and download a polished PDF in under two minutes — no subscription, no watermark, no account required.
Key reasons Irish businesses use BooInvoice:
- Invoice in EUR with your own MwSt rate — Finanzamt-friendly format
- Add your Steuernummer or USt-IdNr to every invoice
- Switch between EUR, CHF, GBP, USD and more — ideal for international clients
- Unlimited free invoices — no monthly subscription, no surprise charges
Stop wrestling with Word templates or paying for software you barely use. Start invoicing properly today.
Questions from German Users
Everything you need to know about using BooInvoice as a German Freiberufler, freelancer, or small business
Can I add MwSt to my German invoices?
Yes. BooInvoice has a flexible tax field where you enter your own MwSt rate. The standard German rate is 19%, with a reduced rate of 7% for certain goods and services. Enter the rate that applies and the invoice displays the MwSt amount and totals accordingly.
What must a German Rechnung include?
German tax law requires: your full business name and address, your Steuernummer or USt-IdNr, the customer's full name and address, a unique invoice number, the invoice date and supply date, a description of the goods or services, the net amount, the MwSt rate and amount, and the gross total.
Is BooInvoice free for German businesses?
Yes — completely free. Create unlimited invoices, add your tax numbers, upload your logo, and download professional PDFs without paying anything.
What about the Kleinunternehmerregelung?
If you use the small business exemption (Kleinunternehmerregelung) under Section 19 UStG, you do not charge MwSt. Simply leave the tax field blank or enter 0%. You should note on your invoice that you are exempt under Section 19 UStG — add this in the notes or description field.
Can I invoice in EUR and other currencies?
Yes. BooInvoice supports EUR alongside CHF, GBP, USD, SEK, and many other currencies — useful for German businesses billing clients across Europe and internationally.
Start Invoicing Professionally Today
Join German Freiberufler, freelancers, and small businesses using BooInvoice to create professional invoices and get paid faster.
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