On September 17, 2025, the German Finance Ministry (BMF) updated the VAT Application Decree (UStAE) to allow mandatory invoice details to be presented not only in German but also in any official EU language. The update introduces Annex 8 with a multilingual table of approved terms and applies immediately to all open cases, replacing the 2013 guidance.
The German Finance Ministry updates its rules on invoice language requirements.
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Germany
Author: Ivana Picajkić
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Fiscal subject related
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1947
Content accuracy validation date:
26.09.2025
Content accuracy validation time:
11:58h
On September 17, 2025, the German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) issued new guidance on the language that can be used in invoices. After consulting with state tax authorities, the BMF confirmed that certain mandatory invoice details under the German VAT Act (UStG) do not have to be written only in German. Instead, they may also appear in any official EU language.
To implement this, the BMF updated the VAT Application Decree (UStAE) and added a new Annex 8. This annex contains a multilingual table of approved terms, such as “Self-billing” and “Reverse charge,” along with translations in other EU languages. It also expands examples for special VAT margin schemes, such as those used by travel agents and dealers in second-hand goods.
For businesses, this means German invoices can now use standardized terms from official EU languages without risking non-compliance. The new letter applies immediately to all open cases and replaces the older guidance from October 25, 2013.
Here is the link to the BMF circular:
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