Germany plans digital reporting system for July 2030, with pilot in early 2029
Germany's digital reporting system should go live on July 1, 2030 under current plans, with a voluntary pilot from early 2029. The e-invoicing mandate reaches its next stage on January 1, 2027.
Germany’s planned digital reporting system should go live on July 1, 2030, under current plans. A voluntary pilot is foreseen for early 2029. Michael Schrodi, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance, outlined the timeline in Berlin. The e-invoicing mandate reaches its next stage on January 1, 2027.
Schrodi outlined Germany’s path from paper invoicing through e-invoicing to a planned digital reporting system (Meldesystem). Under current plans, the system should go live on July 1, 2030. A voluntary pilot is foreseen for early 2029.
Schrodi spoke at an event of the Verband elektronische Rechnung (VeR), the German e-invoicing industry association, in Berlin. About 250 people followed the event on site and online.
Schrodi stressed the value of cooperation with business and solution providers. He called the VeR an important contact for the ministry in designing and setting up the reporting system.
Next e-invoicing stage on January 1, 2027
The general transition rule for issuing e-invoices ends when 2026 ends. From January 1, 2027, issuers with prior-year revenue above 800,000 euros must, as a rule, issue e-invoices for domestic B2B sales in scope.
The VeR strategy paper on the reporting system lists the steps. All companies have had to receive e-invoices since 2025. The duty to issue starts in 2027 and covers all companies from 2028.
Infrastructure already in place
A panel discussed how the mandate can drive digital change. It included Thomas Jarzombek, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernisation. Elisa Lutz, managing director of awicontaxTech, and FAZ business correspondent Corinna Budras also took part. Richard Luthardt, deputy chair of the VeR, represented the association.
The shared view: e-invoicing should not be seen only as a regulatory duty. Done well, it can automate processes and reduce manual handoffs.
“The rails are laid. There is an infrastructure.”
Richard Luthardt, Deputy Chair, Verband elektronische Rechnung (VeR)
According to the VeR, e-invoicing providers and platform operators have established infrastructure and many years of experience. That includes experience from countries where e-invoicing and reporting systems already run.
What comes next
The VeR advises companies to use the solutions available now. E-invoicing should not be treated in isolation. The association sees it as the starting point for end-to-end digital processes and for the coming reporting system.