A Timeline of ZUGFeRD Updates

The ZUGFeRD standard for electronic invoicing, which will become the standard for e-invoicing in 2025, has undergone several updates since its introduction. Each version aims to improve functionality, extend compatibility, and ensure compliance with international invoicing standards. To fully understand how ZUGFeRD has evolved, you can take a look at the diffent updates it has gone through over the years. Here’s a brief timeline of the significant updates:

1. ZUGFeRD 1.0 (2014): The initial version of ZUGFeRD was released in March 2014. It was developed by the Forum Electronic Invoicing Germany (FeRD) to standardize the format for electronic invoices in Germany. This version laid the groundwork by combining a human-readable PDF/A-3 document with an embedded XML file containing structured invoice data.

2. ZUGFeRD 2.0 (2019): In March 2019, ZUGFeRD 2.0 was released. This update was significant because it aligned with the European standard EN 16931, part of the European Union's directive to standardize electronic invoicing practices across its member states. Version 2.0 introduced different profiles like BASIC, COMFORT, and EXTENDED to cater to varying needs of detail and complexity in invoicing.

3. ZUGFeRD 2.1 (2019): Released later in 2019, this minor update included some corrections and improvements over version 2.0, focusing on better clarity and compatibility with the European standard.

4. ZUGFeRD 2.2 (2021): This update continued to refine the standard, offering improvements based on user feedback and the evolving needs of the digital invoicing ecosystem.

5. ZUGFeRD 3.0 (2023): Announced in 2023, ZUGFeRD 3.0 brought significant changes, including further alignment with international standards, enhanced data structures for better handling of complex invoicing scenarios, and updated compliance features to meet newer regulatory requirements.

Each version of ZUGFeRD not only reflects technological advancements and regulatory changes but also the growing acceptance and implementation of electronic invoicing across different sectors and countries. These updates ensure that ZUGFeRD remains relevant and useful in facilitating efficient, automated, and standardized electronic invoicing systems.

Learn more about how ZUGFeRD will affect PDFs by reading "How PDFs will be Affected by ZUGFeRD in 2025."