Generate a ZUGFeRD Invoice – On-Premises (Local) and Secure

Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator

Many people who search for “Generate a ZUGFeRD invoice” actually mean “Convert a PDF invoice to ZUGFeRD.” In this case, the right solution is usually not the Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator, but the Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter. The Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator is designed for situations where you already have an XRechnung and the corresponding PDF invoice and want to generate a specific ZUGFeRD invoice from them. If you don’t yet have a PDF/A-3 file, the toolkit automatically generates this format.

Important Considerations for Choosing the Right Tool

Do you start with just a PDF invoice and want to convert it into a ZUGFeRD or XRechnung invoice? Then the Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter is the right solution for you.

About the Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter

There, generating the ZUGFeRD invoice is already part of the conversion workflow.

Situation	The Right Tool
You start with an existing PDF invoice and want to generate a ZUGFeRD invoice or XRechnung from it.	Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter
You already have an XRechnung and the corresponding PDF invoice, and you want to use them to create a ZUGFeRD invoice.	Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator

Convert PDF to XRechnung

If you want to convert your PDF invoice into an e-invoice (i.e., XRechnung), then the Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter is exactly what you need. Of course, the converter also generates a ZUGFeRD invoice at the same time.

What is a ZUGFeRD Invoice Creator?

A ZUGFeRD Invoice Creator is a software program that generates a ZUGFeRD invoice from a PDF/A-3 file and structured invoice data. With the Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator, this process takes place locally on your own system using an existing XRechnung and the corresponding PDF invoice. This results in a hybrid e-invoice that combines the viewable document and XML data in a single file. If your PDF invoice isn’t in the PDF/A-3 format required to generate a ZUGFeRD invoice, no problem—the Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator automatically converts your PDF invoice to the PDF/A-3 format during the conversion process.

When Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator Is the Right Solution

• You already have an XRechnung
• You have the correct PDF invoice
• You want to use this to generate a specific ZUGFeRD invoice
• You want to work locally on your own computer
• You don't want to use the cloud or enter data twice
• You want to view the completed invoice directly in the viewer

Typical Real-World Cases

Your ERP system, custom software, or an upstream process already generates the structured invoice data correctly. What’s missing is the hybrid ZUGFeRD invoice as a combined file for sending, archiving, or sharing. This is exactly where the Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator comes in.

• Existing XRechnung from ERP, line-of-business systems, or custom software
• corresponding PDF invoice from the existing outbound process
• Request for a ZUGFeRD invoice instead of separate individual files

How to Generate a ZUGFeRD Invoice with Treesoft

The process has been deliberately kept simple so that you can generate a hybrid e-invoice directly from your existing data without any detours.

• Select an existing XRechnung
• Assign the corresponding PDF invoice
• If necessary, have PDF/A-3 generated automatically
• Save ZUGFeRD Invoice
• View the results directly in the Treesoft XRechnung Viewer

Your Benefits with the Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator

The practical benefits are especially evident when you want to seamlessly integrate existing data into a local e-invoicing process.

• On-premises installation instead of cloud processing
• No need to re-enter the invoice
• PDF/A-3 is generated automatically as needed
• Direct visual inspection in the Treesoft XRechnung Viewer
• Seamless integration with the Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit
• A clear distinction from the converter for pure PDF-to-e-invoice processes

What is the difference between this and the PDF2XRechnung Converter?

The difference lies in the starting point. Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator is designed for existing XRechnung documents and corresponding PDF invoices. Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter is designed for existing PDF invoices that need to be converted into structured e-invoices.

If you’re starting out with just a PDF invoice, you should choose the Converter right away. If you already have structured invoice data and want to turn it into a hybrid invoice, Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator is the right choice for you.

The Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator is particularly useful for

• Companies with an existing ERP system that already outputs structured billing data
• SMEs that already have separate PDF and XML files and want to merge them seamlessly
• Government agencies and public-sector suppliers that require a hybrid format based on existing data
• Organizations that wish to intentionally process sensitive billing data locally

Important Technical Information: What Makes ZUGFeRD Unique

ZUGFeRD is a hybrid e-invoice format. It combines a PDF/A-3 file as a viewable document with embedded structured invoice data in XML format. The structured portion can be processed automatically, while the PDF provides a human-readable version of the invoice.

As of January 1, 2025, a simple PDF is no longer sufficient for tax purposes to qualify as an e-invoice. The key factor is the structured electronic format. This is precisely why you need to clearly distinguish between the different use cases: If you only have a PDF, you’ll need a conversion process. If you already have both a PDF and structured invoice data, you can generate a ZUGFeRD invoice directly.

Why Treesoft?

With the Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit, we meet all the necessary requirements for processing e-invoices.

• Developed in Germany
• On-Premises Instead of Being Forced to Use the Cloud
• Viewer: Free Forever
• The toolkit covers reading, validating, editing, creating, and converting
• GoBD-compliant file storage
• Incoming and Outgoing Invoice Ledger

Download the Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit now

If you already have an XRechnung and the corresponding PDF invoice, the Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator is the direct path to a finished ZUGFeRD invoice. If you’re starting with just a PDF invoice, go directly to the Treesoft PDF2XRechnung Converter. This way, you can handle both scenarios locally, transparently, and without having to rely on the cloud.

Price

Depending on the version you choose—FREE, BASIS, PLUS, or PRO—in combination with the token package you select, the cost of creating a project ranges from 0.20 EUR to 2.00 EUR—the choice is yours.

Additional Modules in the Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit

Treesoft ZUGFeRD Creator is a module in the Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit. Depending on your needs, you can add additional modules to the workflow:

• XRechnung Viewer for opening, reading, and structured archiving
• XRechnung Validator for validating an XRechnung
• XRechnung Editor for editing and adding missing information
• XRechnung Creator for manually creating new XRechnungen
• PDF2XRechnung Converter for converting existing PDF invoices into e-invoices

This way, the solution grows with your needs—from verifying individual invoices to a complete e-invoicing workflow.

Fleyer, Price List, and Documentation

• Flyer
• Price List
• Sample Calculation
• Cost Estimation Guide

Documentation

Treesoft E-Invoice Toolkit User Manual

Order tokens from the online store

• Online Store

Downloading the e-invoice toolkit and setting up a token account does not entail any obligation on your part.