German e-invoicing with XRechnung

Smoobu can produce Germany's electronic invoice format, XRechnung, for your guests. XRechnung is part of Smoobu's e-invoicing add-on; for what e-invoicing is, the pricing, and the free trial, see How Smoobu's e-invoicing works for Germany, Spain, and Italy. This page covers how to switch on the German format, choose your invoice layout, and create and send the invoices.

Before you start

• A valid Steuernummer or USt-IdNr (VAT ID). Either one is enough. A Steuernummer on its own activates e-invoicing, so you can use it even if you do not have a VAT ID.
• Sender country set to Germany. Smoobu's German e-invoicing logic applies only when your sender country is Germany.
• E-invoicing is a paid add-on with a 14-day trial. See How Smoobu's e-invoicing works for Germany, Spain, and Italy for pricing and entitlement.

Set up German e-invoicing

In Configuration > Invoice Settings:

1. Under Sender Information, set your Country to Germany.
2. Choose a Tax Type and enter a valid Steuernummer or USt-IdNr (VAT ID). Until a tax type and tax number are set, e-invoicing cannot be enabled, so check this first.
3. Turn e-invoicing on, review and accept the terms and conditions, then click Activate.

Once e-invoicing is active for a German sender, Smoobu shows an invoice-layout selector (A4 or DIN 5008) that is not there otherwise. Pick the layout you need.

Create and send a German e-invoice

Create invoices the usual way from a booking's Booking Details:

1. Open the Booking Details for the guest you want to invoice.
2. In the Invoices section, click Create New.
3. Fill in the invoice and create it.
4. To download or send it, use the three-dot menu (⋮): Download as PDF, Download as XML, or send it to your guest.

The XML file holds the structured invoice data you can share with tax authorities, tax consultants, and other parties. Your sender details, tax settings, and numbering all come from Invoice Settings, so keep up to date.

Once a German e-invoice is issued you cannot edit or delete it. Check the recipient's details before you issue. If you want to review the invoice first, save it as a draft, then create it when everything is correct.

Common questions

What format does Smoobu use for Germany?

Germany's electronic invoice format is XRechnung. Smoobu produces it once the e-invoicing add-on is active for a German sender.

Can I activate without a VAT ID?

Yes. A valid Steuernummer on its own is enough to activate e-invoicing. A USt-IdNr (VAT ID) also works, but you do not need one if you have a Steuernummer.

What is the difference between the PDF and the XML?

The PDF is the human-readable invoice. The XML holds the same invoice as structured data for tax authorities, tax consultants, and other systems. You can download either from the three-dot menu.

Related articles

• How Smoobu's e-invoicing works for Germany, Spain, and Italy
• Your guest invoice won't generate or download

Still stuck?

If this didn't answer your question, the Smoobu team is happy to help. In Smoobu, open the Help menu to open a ticket or book a call slot, or use the chat bubble in the bottom-right corner for a quick question during business hours.