Freelance Invoice Template for Germany

Freelance Invoice Template for Germany

This document provides a standardized invoice structure compliant with German tax regulations (UStG). Use this template to bill clients for services rendered while ensuring all mandatory legal requirements are met for your accounting records.

Invoice

[Your Full Name] [Your Street Address] [Your Postal Code and City] [Your Tax ID or VAT ID]

[Client Company Name] [Client Contact Person] [Client Street Address] [Client Postal Code and City]

Date of Issue: [Date] Invoice Number: [Year]-[Sequential Number] Service Period: [Start Date] – [End Date]

Payment Terms: Please transfer the total amount of [Gross Total Amount] € to the following bank account within [Number] days:

• Account Holder: [Your Name]
• IBAN: [Your IBAN]
• BIC: [Your BIC]
• Bank Name: [Your Bank Name]

Note: [Insert mandatory tax reference here, e.g., "Gemäß § 19 UStG wird keine Umsatzsteuer berechnet" if you are a Kleinunternehmer, or your VAT ID if applicable].

Pro Tips

• Kleinunternehmerregelung: If you are registered as a small business owner under § 19 UStG, you must explicitly state that you do not charge VAT and cite the relevant law.
• Sequential Numbering: German tax law requires invoices to have a unique, sequential number. Do not skip numbers or use the same number twice.
• Archiving: You are legally required to keep copies of all issued invoices for at least 10 years.
• VAT ID: If you are working with clients outside of Germany but within the EU, ensure you include both your VAT ID and the client's VAT ID to apply the reverse-charge mechanism.

Invoice: Spreadsheet Template

Copy this grid into Google Sheets or Excel and fill in the blank cells with your own figures. Subtotals, totals and calculated cells carry live spreadsheet formulas, so the sheet updates itself as you type.

FAQ

What information is legally required on a German invoice?

An invoice must include your full name and address, the client's full name and address, your Tax ID or VAT ID, a unique invoice number, the date of issue, the delivery/service date, a description of the service, the net amount, the tax rate, the tax amount, and the gross total.

Do I need to include my VAT ID if I am a small business owner?

If you are a Kleinunternehmer according to § 19 UStG, you do not charge VAT. In this case, you should not include a VAT ID, but you must include a note on the invoice stating that no VAT is charged due to the small business regulation.

How should I format the invoice number?

The invoice number must be unique and sequential. Common formats include using the year followed by a number (e.g., 2023-001, 2023-002) to keep your bookkeeping organized by calendar year.