Cypher InternZUGFeRD / Factur-X
ZUGFeRD invoices that people and software can read
Cypher Intern turns your invoices into ZUGFeRD PDFs in the EN 16931 (COMFORT) profile: a normal-looking PDF with the structured invoice data embedded, accepted as an e-invoice under German VAT law.
What Cypher Intern does with ZUGFeRD
Creates ZUGFeRD / Factur-X PDFs in the EN 16931 (COMFORT) profile, as PDF/A-3 with the XML embedded
Sends them to your customer by email or lets you download them
Reads incoming ZUGFeRD and Factur-X PDFs from your inbox, Drive or OneDrive folders or a manual upload using the embedded data directly; AI extraction only steps in for plain PDFs
Flags possible duplicates before an invoice is paid twice
Checks any ZUGFeRD file with the free validator, including its profile
How it works
- 1
Enter your company details, VAT ID and bank details once.
- 2
Write your invoice in Cypher Intern as usual.
- 3
Download it as a ZUGFeRD PDF or send it straight to your customer by email.
- 4
Incoming ZUGFeRD invoices from your inbox or Drive folders are read automatically and land in your review queue.
Good to know
- The ZUGFeRD profiles MINIMUM and BASIC WL don't meet the requirements of German VAT law. Cypher Intern always creates the EN 16931 profile, which does.
- ZUGFeRD 2 and the French Factur-X are technically the same format, so the files also work for customers in France.
Frequently asked questions
ZUGFeRD is a hybrid e-invoice format: a PDF that people can read, with the invoice data embedded as an XML file that software can process. Since version 2, it is technically identical to the French Factur-X.
Under German VAT law, all profiles except MINIMUM and BASIC WL: BASIC, EN 16931 (COMFORT), EXTENDED and XRECHNUNG. Cypher Intern creates EN 16931.
No. They can open the PDF like any other. Their accounting software can additionally read the embedded data, which saves them typing.
For invoices between businesses, both are accepted. ZUGFeRD is often easier for your customers because it is still a readable PDF. Public authorities usually ask for XRechnung.
Upload it to the free validator. It reads the embedded XML, shows the profile and whether it counts as an e-invoice, and lists any errors.