Germany is revising sales law to align with the EU Right to Repair Directive, aiming to facilitate product repairs over new purchases. Implementing this directive by July 31, 2026, manufacturers will be obligated to repair certain products during their lifecycle, even without direct contracts with consumers. Initial focus is on specific groups, with repairs needing to be affordable and timely. The... Read more

FeRD and FNFE-MPE released ZUGFeRD 2.5 / Factur-X 1.09, aligning with EN 16931's latest code lists and adding new elements. The German FeRD forum and the French FNFE-MPE forum have released a new version of their joint e-invoicing format, ZUGFeRD 2.5 / Factur-X 1.09. The update aligns the format with the latest code lists used under the European e-invoicing standard EN 16931. These code lists are... Read more

Germany’s new External Audit Regulations aim to modernize tax audits by making them faster, more coordinated and risk-focused, while updating cooperation and group audit rules. Germany’s Federal Cabinet adopted new External Audit Regulations. The new rules will replace the old Tax Audit Ordinance from 2000 and reflect recent changes in German tax procedure law, including the DAC7 Implementat... Read more

Germany is reportedly considering a VAT reform from January 1, 2027, which could raise the standard and reduced VAT rates while applying 0% VAT to basic food products. Germany is reportedly considering a major VAT reform that would shift part of the tax burden from income to consumption. Under the proposal, the standard VAT rate would increase from 19% to 21%, while the reduced VAT rate would ris... Read more

Germany allows e-invoices to be sent by email, but the attached invoice must be in a compliant structured format such as XRechnung or ZUGFeRD with XML, while ordinary PDFs, scans, Word/Excel files, or invoice text in the email body do not qualify as legal e-invoices. Germany allows businesses to send e-invoices by email, but only if the invoice is attached in a legally valid structured format. A s... Read more

Germany’s new mandatory withdrawal button will require online B2C businesses to provide consumers with a clear, permanently available electronic way to withdraw from distance contracts from 19 June 2026. Businesses must update websites, apps, platforms, confirmation messages, and internal processes to support clear withdrawal submission, confirmation, and possible partial withdrawal. Germany has f... Read more

Germany clarified that compliant e-invoices and credit notes must be self-contained, with all mandatory VAT information included in the structured electronic file itself. Businesses should review invoice templates and ERP systems to avoid relying only on PDFs, links, or separate documents for required invoice data. Germany’s Ministry of Finance has updated its e-Invoicing FAQs to clarify tha... Read more