Validate an XRechnung — and understand the errors
Upload an XRechnung XML or a ZUGFeRD / Factur-X PDF above. The validator checks the file against the XML schema (XSD) and the official Schematron rule sets — CEN EN 16931 and the KoSIT XRechnung rules — directly in your browser. Every finding is shown with its rule ID (for example BR-DE-15) and a plain-English explanation of what to fix.
Choose files
or drag and dropXML (XRechnung, UBL, CII) or PDF (ZUGFeRD, Factur-X)
Official rules — not the KoSIT service
This check uses the official XML schemas and Schematron rule sets (CEN EN 16931, KoSIT XRechnung) with the same evaluation logic as the KoSIT validator — but runs locally in your browser. It is not the KoSIT validator itself and no certification. In our tests on 149 reference and test files the result matched the KoSIT validator 1.6.3 on every file. KoSIT · Licences
Your files never leave your device — everything runs locally in your browser.
How it works
- 1
Upload the file
XRechnung (UBL or CII) or a ZUGFeRD / Factur-X PDF.
- 2
Schema check
The XML structure is checked against the XSD.
- 3
Business rules
EN 16931 and XRechnung Schematron rules are applied.
- 4
Fix and re-check
Read the explanations, correct the invoice and validate again.
Official rules, run locally
German invoice portals check incoming invoices with the rule sets published by the KoSIT (Koordinierungsstelle für IT-Standards) on top of the European EN 16931 rules. This validator runs the same kind of checks — XSD schema plus Schematron — inside your browser, so your invoice is never uploaded. Results should match what portals report; the final decision is always made by the recipient.
Common errors and what they mean
| Rule | Meaning | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| BR-DE-15 | Buyer reference (BT-10) missing | Enter the Leitweg-ID or the reference your customer gave you. |
| BR-DE-2 | Seller contact missing | Add contact name, phone and email of the seller. |
| BR-DE-1 | Payment instructions missing | Specify the payment means, e.g. credit transfer with IBAN. |
| BR-CO-15 | Total with VAT ≠ total without VAT + VAT | Recalculate totals; check rounding. |
| BR-CO-25 | Amount due but no due date or payment terms | Add a due date or payment terms. |
Errors vs. warnings
Errors (fatal) break a mandatory rule — portals reject such invoices. Warnings point to likely problems that do not necessarily lead to rejection, for example an unusual specification identifier. Fix errors first, then look at the warnings.
Tips
- Errors usually lead to rejection, warnings not necessarily — but it is worth fixing both.
- Common causes: missing buyer reference, totals that don’t add up and missing VAT exemption reasons.
- The file stays on your device, so confidential invoices are safe to check.