How Factur-X Works
Factur-X works exactly like ZUGFeRD:
- A PDF/A-3 file containing a visual invoice
- An embedded XML attachment with structured data
- Recipients can read the PDF or extract the XML
Factur-X Profiles
- Minimum: Basic reference data
- Basic WL: Core data without line items
- Basic: Full invoice with line items
- EN 16931: Full EU standard compliance
- Extended: Additional fields
France's E-Invoicing Model
France uses a Y-model with:
- PPF (Portail Public de Facturation): Government platform
- PDP (Plateforme de Dématérialisation Partenaire): Certified private platforms
Invoices flow through these platforms, which accept Factur-X, UBL, and CII formats.
Why Factur-X Matters
French Mandate Coming
France's B2B e-invoicing mandate timeline:
- September 2026: All must receive; Large companies must send
- September 2027: SMEs and micro-enterprises must send
Works for Franco-German Trade
Since Factur-X = ZUGFeRD, one invoice works in both France and Germany. Ideal for cross-border B2B in the EU's largest bilateral trade relationship.
Transition-Friendly
The PDF component means suppliers can send Factur-X today even if customers aren't ready—they can read it as a normal PDF while their systems catch up.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Choose a Profile
For French compliance, use "EN 16931" profile. It meets Chorus Pro requirements and works across EU.
Step 2: Register on a Platform
You'll need to use PPF (government) or a certified PDP to exchange invoices in France. Many are already operational.
Step 3: Validate Format
Ensure both PDF and XML components are correctly structured before submitting.
How Invoice Navigator handles Factur-X
Invoice Navigator validates Factur-X invoices across all profiles, from Minimum to Extended. Since Factur-X and ZUGFeRD 2.0+ are technically identical, the same CII validation and remediation pipeline applies — including PDF/A-3 structural checks and embedded XML compliance.
View API documentationValidate Your Factur-X Invoice
Check PDF structure and XML compliance.
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What is UBL?
Universal Business Language (UBL) 2.1 is an OASIS XML standard for business documents including invoices, widely used as the syntax for Peppol BIS and national e-invoicing implementations.
What is Peppol?
Peppol is a secure pan-European network for exchanging standardized electronic business documents, governed by OpenPeppol and connecting over 300,000 organizations across 40+ countries.
Read moreWhat is XRechnung?
XRechnung is Germany's national implementation (CIUS) of the EN 16931 European e-invoicing standard, mandatory for all public sector invoicing in Germany.
Read moreWhat is ZUGFeRD?
ZUGFeRD is a German hybrid e-invoice format that embeds machine-readable XML data inside a human-readable PDF, enabling both automated processing and visual review.
Read more