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EN16931 Standard

What is the EN16931 standard, and why does it matter for German B2B E-Invoicing?

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Written by Anna Dziurosz
Updated this week

With new e-invoicing regulations in Germany, businesses will soon be required to send electronic invoices for domestic B2B transactions. A key part of the new e-invoicing regulation is the EN16931 standard.


In this article we’ll explain what this standard is, why it’s essential, and how Moss helps ensure your invoices comply with these new regulations.

What is the EN16931 standard?

The EN16931 standard sets out a consistent format and specific details that should be included in every e-invoice. By following this standard, businesses can ensure their invoices contain the required information in a format that’s easy to process, whether used in Germany or across the EU.

Key components of the EN16931 standard include:

  • Essential information fields: Key data such as invoice number, date, VAT details, and tax information are required.

  • Uniform structure: This format ensures invoices are easy to understand for both people and software.

  • Clear data organization: The data in EN16931-compliant invoices is structured in a way that enables automation, reducing manual processing.

How Moss ensures compliance

Moss simplifies compliance with Germany’s e-invoicing regulations by automatically validating every invoice or credit note uploaded to our platform. Each document receives a compliance status:

  1. Compliant: Moss identifies invoices that fully meet EN16931 requirements, so you can proceed with confidence, knowing these documents are ready for regulatory use.

  2. Not compliant: If an invoice doesn’t meet EN16931 standards, Moss flags it as non-compliant and provides guidance for adjustments, helping you address any issues with your supplier.

  3. Exempt: Some documents don’t need to follow EN16931 standards. Moss automatically classifies invoices as exempt when the total amount is under EUR 250 and the supplier is not based in Germany. This feature saves time by focusing your attention on only those documents that truly require compliance.

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