Factur-X
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Factur-X is a Franco-German electronic invoice format standard published in France on July 9, 2017 by the FNFE. This format (called mixed or hybrid format) has the particularity of embedding, in addition to “normal” data, additional “hidden” data: this hidden data can be read by computers.
From a technical point of view, it is a PDF/A3 format, with incorporation of invoice data in XML format.
There are several Factur-X profiles, depending on the on-board data:
- MINIMUM: with the minimum data required by Chorus Pro
- BASIC WL: with the most commonly used invoice header and footer data
- BASIC: BASIC WL with essential invoice line data
- EN 16931: with all the potential data provided for in the European semantic standard EN 16931
- EXTENDED: with data from the EN16931 profile, augmented with additional data.
This format makes it easier for recipients to record invoices, who will be able to automatically read the supplier invoices received and integrate them into their software. But above all it was imposed by the administration in order to make possible systematic automated VAT checks and cross-checks between invoices issued and invoices received. Welcome to the world of global surveillance…
Initially, it was planned that all BtoB and BtoG invoicing had to be dematerialized from January 1, 2025. This deadline being unsuitable, the PLF 2024, adopted for its first part on October 18, 2023 following an nth recourse to article 49.3 proposes a new calendar:
| Type of business | Initial calendar | New calendar proposed by the PLF 2024 |
| Large companies | 07/01/2024 | 09/01/2026 |
| ETI | 01/01/2025 | 01/09/2026 |
| SMEs and micro businesses | 01/01/2026 | 01/09/2027 |
More information :
Short history of the European semantic standard EN 16931: The European authorities which produced this standard, of a mandatory nature in particular for the public sector, had planned that its use would be free of rights - that's the least -, but that the documentation would pay off!!!
This provision aroused real indignation among economic players, and it took a laborious agreement during the debates of the European Forum (EMSFEI), for the CEN and the European Commission to reach an agreement establishing that the documents of the semantic standard (EN16931 -1:2017) and the list of syntaxes of the Standard (EN16931-2:2017), will be freely available from national standardization organizations (AFNOR for France).
Generate an invoice in Factur-X format with Gestan
From version 15.23, Gestan can generate your invoices in Factur-X format.
To do this, use the context menu of the list of invoices: Generate in Factur-X format
The invoice will be directly generated in PDF/A3 Factur-X format.
Currently, Gestan produces MINIMUM Factur-X.
The bottom of the invoice indicates that it is an invoice in Factur-X format.
You can check the validity of the file produced via the Factur-X validator made available to the public by the FNFE.
Other Customer Billing articles
Billing: common elements
Cas concret : Intermédiation
Entêtes des pièces
Facturation : éléments communs
Factures : options spécifiques
Frais de port
Généalogie des pièces
Liaisons des pièces
Ligne pourcentage
Livraison partielle
Numérotation des factures
Optimiser les achats
Retenues de garantie *
Surtaxes nationales
Tri des lignes de pièce