ZUGFeRD viewer: see the invoice data inside the PDF
A ZUGFeRD invoice looks like an ordinary PDF, but the legally relevant part is the XML file embedded in it. This viewer pulls that XML out and shows it next to the PDF.
Drop an e-invoice here
XML (XRechnung, Peppol BIS, UBL, CII) or PDF with embedded XML (ZUGFeRD, Factur-X)
No file at hand? Try a sample:
- Nothing is uploaded — the file is read in this browser tab
- Official EN 16931 (CEN) and XRechnung (KoSIT) rules
- Every error explained in plain language, with the fix
How to view a ZUGFeRD invoice
- 1Drop the ZUGFeRD or Factur-X PDF onto the field above, or click to choose it. A standalone XML file works too.
- 2The embedded XML is found and the format and profile are detected automatically.
- 3Compare the structured data with the PDF page: parties, lines, VAT, totals and payment details.
- 4Print the data view or save it as a PDF, and keep the original hybrid file for your records.
A PDF on the outside, structured data on the inside
ZUGFeRD (Germany) and Factur-X (France) are the same hybrid format, maintained jointly by FeRD and FNFE-MPE. The visible part is a PDF/A-3 document; attached to it is an XML file in UN/CEFACT CII syntax, usually called factur-x.xml, or zugferd-invoice.xml in older ZUGFeRD 2.0 files.
For a German e-invoice, the XML is what counts. The German Federal Ministry of Finance states that, where the PDF and the XML differ, the data in the XML takes precedence. A PDF reader only ever shows you the picture. This viewer opens the attachment in your browser and shows its content in a readable layout, next to the PDF.
Why mismatches matter
Most generators fill the PDF and the XML from the same source, but not all of them do it well. Hybrid files do turn up in which the XML has a different total, a missing line, an outdated IBAN or a VAT rate that differs from the printed one. If you approve a payment by looking at the PDF while your accounting system books the XML, those differences end up in your books unnoticed.
The viewer recalculates the totals from the XML independently and highlights anything that does not add up. Read the two side by side before you approve.
ZUGFeRD profiles and the German requirements
| Profile | Content | German e-invoice? |
|---|---|---|
| MINIMUM | Header data only, booking aid | No |
| BASIC WL | Header and totals, no lines | No |
| BASIC | Simple invoice with lines | Yes |
| EN 16931 (formerly COMFORT) | Full EN 16931 content | Yes |
| EXTENDED | EN 16931 plus additional fields | Yes |
| XRECHNUNG | XRechnung data in a ZUGFeRD file | Yes |
The BMF letter on mandatory e-invoicing names ZUGFeRD from version 2.0.1 as an accepted format, but excludes the MINIMUM and BASIC WL profiles: they do not contain all the information EN 16931 requires, so they are not e-invoices in the legal sense. The viewer shows the profile at the top so you can see at a glance which one you have.
What is shown
- Seller and buyer, VAT IDs, contacts
- Invoice lines, allowances and charges
- VAT breakdown by category and rate
- Totals and an independent recalculation
- IBAN, BIC, payment reference and terms
- Buyer reference or Leitweg-ID, order reference
- Notes and other files attached to the PDF
To check the XML against the official rules, open it in the Factur-X and ZUGFeRD validator. Note that the visual PDF layer and its PDF/A-3 conformance are not checked.
Privacy and limits
The PDF is opened and the XML extracted inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded and there is no server-side processing. The only network requests are for this page and the official rule files, which are the same for every visitor. Nothing is stored, and closing the tab discards the data. No account is required.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know whether a PDF is a ZUGFeRD invoice?
Drop it here. If an invoice XML is embedded, it is extracted and the profile is shown. If not, you are told that the file is a plain PDF, which is not an e-invoice.
Which version of ZUGFeRD is supported?
ZUGFeRD 2.x and Factur-X 1.x. ZUGFeRD 1.0 is not supported yet.
The PDF and the XML show different amounts. Which one is right?
For the e-invoice, the XML data is authoritative. Ask the supplier for a corrected invoice rather than booking either value.
Is a ZUGFeRD BASIC WL invoice enough for German requirements?
No. MINIMUM and BASIC WL are excluded by the BMF letter because they do not carry the full EN 16931 data. Ask for BASIC, EN 16931, EXTENDED or XRECHNUNG.
Can I see other files attached to the PDF?
Yes. Additional attachments, such as time sheets or delivery notes, are listed with name and description.
Do I have to keep the PDF or the XML?
Keep the hybrid file exactly as you received it. It contains both, and the embedded XML is the original e-invoice.
Sources
- BMF letter of 15 October 2025 on mandatory e-invoicing (checked 2026-10-28)
- BMF – e-invoicing FAQ (German) (checked 2026-10-28)
- FNFE-MPE – Factur-X / ZUGFeRD (checked 2026-10-28)
Last reviewed 28 October 2026