Germany Introduces Multilingual Invoice Standards
Supporting All EU Official Languages

Berlin – Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance has announced a groundbreaking regulatory change allowing businesses to issue invoices using any official language of the European Union. The directive, published on September 17, 2025, marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to cross-border business documentation.

Breaking Down Language Barriers in Business

The new regulation permits companies to replace German terminology with equivalent terms from other EU official languages when fulfilling mandatory invoice requirements under Sections 14 and 14a of the German VAT Act (UStG). This decision, reached after extensive consultation with state financial authorities, aligns with Article 226 of the EU VAT System Directive.

The Ministry has compiled a comprehensive reference table featuring standardized terminology across all 24 official EU languages, ensuring consistency and legal compliance across member states.

Key Terminology Now Available in Multiple Languages

The regulation specifically addresses critical invoicing terms including:

• Credit notes (German: “Gutschrift” / English: “Self-billing”)
• Reverse charge mechanisms (German: “Steuerschuldnerschaft des Leistungsempfängers” / English: “Reverse charge”)
• Special schemes for travel agents, second-hand goods, works of art, and collector’s items

The published table includes translations in languages ranging from Bulgarian and Danish to Maltese and Hungarian, though notably excludes complete Irish Gaelic translations due to availability constraints.

Implementation and Business Impact

The amendments to the German VAT Application Decree (UStAE) take immediate effect, superseding the previous directive from October 25, 2013. All pending cases will now be processed under the new multilingual framework.

This regulatory update represents Germany’s commitment to reducing administrative burdens in international trade within the European single market. By allowing businesses to communicate in their preferred EU language, Germany aims to facilitate smoother cross-border transactions and strengthen its position as a business-friendly hub within the European Union.

The Federal Ministry of Finance has confirmed that the complete directive will be published in the Federal Tax Gazette, ensuring widespread accessibility and compliance guidance for all affected businesses operating within Germany’s jurisdiction.

https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Downloads/BMF_Schreiben/Steuerarten/Umsatzsteuer/…