Generate XRechnung files in Shine to comply with German public-sector invoicing requirements.
Shine allows you to create valid XRechnung XML files in all plans.
You can download the file and send it yourself, upload it to the relevant government portal, or — coming soon — send it directly by email from Shine.
What is an XRechnung?
An XRechnung is an XML file containing all invoice details in a machine-readable structure.
Public-sector organisations use this format so invoices can be processed automatically, without manual data entry.
Since 27 November 2020, XRechnung is mandatory for invoices sent to government institutions in Germany.
Recipients typically accept XRechnung files either:
- by email using a dedicated inbox for XML invoices
- or through upload portals (operated by each federal state)
How to create an XRechnung in Shine
1. Create your invoice
Create a regular invoice in Shine and enter all required details.
2. Add the Leitweg-ID (mandatory)
A valid XRechnung requires the customer’s Leitweg-ID, which must be provided by the recipient.
You can add it in two places:
- in Customer details under E-invoicing (when Company type = Public)
- in the invoice editor under Buyer’s reference
If the Leitweg-ID is stored in the customer profile, Shine fills it in automatically.
3. Download the XRechnung
After finalizing your invoice:
- Click Finalize
- Choose Download as XRechnung
If the Leitweg-ID is missing or incomplete, Shine will request it before creating the file.
The XML file is then ready to send to your recipient or upload to their required platform.
Sending XRechnung by email
Soon, you will be able to send XRechnung directly from Shine:
- select By email when sending an invoice
- activate Include XRechnung
The recipient will receive the PDF invoice plus the XML file.
After approval, this option will also be available under:
Invoices > More > Download XRechnung / Send by email
Good to know
- Approved invoices cannot be edited. If the Leitweg-ID is missing, the XRechnung may be rejected.
- To correct an approved invoice, create a Credit Note or Void and recreate the invoice.
- The XRechnung format is purely XML — attachments or custom layouts are not included.