What is Factur-X, and why does my PDF suddenly matter?
Factur-X is a hybrid e-invoice format built for exactly one problem: humans want to read an invoice, accounting software wants to parse one, and nobody wanted two separate files. So Factur-X embeds a structured XML file directly inside a normal-looking PDF/A-3. Open it in any PDF reader and you see a familiar invoice layout. Open it with the right tool and there's a second, hidden layer underneath — the exact vendor, amounts, VAT breakdown, and line items, encoded so software can read them without any guesswork.
It's the required format (alongside UBL and CII) for France's new e-invoicing mandate, and it's also used in Germany under the closely related ZUGFeRD standard.
France's e-invoicing mandate — what actually applies to you
- From September 1, 2026: large and mid-sized French companies must issue e-invoices. Every business, regardless of size, must be able to receive them from this date — that's the part that catches small businesses and non-French companies off guard.
- From September 1, 2027: small businesses and micro-enterprises must also issue e-invoices.
- Accepted formats: Factur-X (hybrid PDF+XML), UBL, and CII — all built on the EN 16931 European standard.
- Penalties for non-compliance on the issuing side run up to €15/invoice (capped €15,000/yr) — but for most small businesses right now, the real, immediate need is simply being able to open and understand a Factur-X invoice a French supplier or client sends you.
This tool reads invoices you've already received. Issuing legally compliant e-invoices requires a certified Approved Platform (Plateforme Agréée) — a regulated service, not something a browser tool can replace. If you need to issue compliant e-invoices, look at one of the ~100 DGFiP-accredited platforms.
How the viewer works
- Drop in your PDF. Click the box above or drag your Factur-X invoice onto it.
- We find the hidden XML. The tool looks inside the PDF for the embedded Factur-X/ZUGFeRD XML attachment.
- See the real data. Vendor, invoice number, date, totals, tax, and every line item — pulled from the structured data, not guessed from the page layout.
- Export it. Download as Excel (.xlsx) or CSV to drop straight into your books.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Factur-X invoice?
A hybrid e-invoice format used in France and Germany: a normal-looking PDF with a machine-readable XML file embedded inside it. The PDF is for humans, the hidden XML is for accounting software.
Do I need to open Factur-X invoices?
If you do business with French or German companies, yes — France's mandate requires every business, even small ones who don't have to issue e-invoices yet, to be able to receive them from September 2026.
Is my invoice uploaded to a server?
No. Everything runs in your browser using PDF.js. Your file never leaves your device.
Can this create a compliant invoice for me to send?
No — issuing compliant e-invoices in France requires a certified Approved Platform. This tool is for reading invoices you've received, not for legal issuance.
What if my PDF doesn't have embedded XML?
Then it's a regular PDF, not a true Factur-X invoice — the tool will tell you no embedded data was found. For extracting data from a normal PDF invoice, use BillSnap's PDF-to-Excel tool instead.