How to Create a Factur-X Invoice
A compliant electronic invoice is more than a PDF. Under the 2026 French e-invoicing reform, every domestic B2B invoice must carry a structured XML layer that follows the EN 16931 standard. The generator above builds that file for you: enter your data once and download a Factur-X PDF/A-3b, validated before you send it.
What makes an invoice Factur-X compliant?
Factur-X is a hybrid format: a human-readable PDF/A-3b with the structured invoice data embedded as a Cross Industry Invoice (CII) XML attachment. Your customer opens a normal-looking PDF while their accounting system reads the XML automatically, with no re-keying. That dual nature is what the French Portail Public de Facturation (PPF) and certified platforms (PDP) expect.
Mandatory fields for an EN 16931 compliant invoice
The standard defines a core set of fields that every invoice must contain. The wizard validates each one as you type, but it helps to have these ready:
- Seller name, address, and a tax identifier (SIREN, SIRET, or VAT number)
- Buyer name and full postal address
- A unique invoice number and the issue date
- At least one line item with quantity, net unit price, and VAT rate
- A VAT breakdown grouped by tax category and rate
- Payment details including the IBAN for credit transfers
For invoices to the public sector (B2G through Chorus Pro), a buyer reference identifying the recipient service is also required.
Which Factur-X profile should you choose?
The profile controls how much data the embedded XML carries. Factur-X defines five: MINIMUM and BASIC WL hold header data only, while BASIC, EN 16931 (COMFORT), and EXTENDED add full line-item detail. For nearly all French B2B invoices the EN 16931 profile is the right choice: it includes every mandatory field of the European standard and is accepted by the PPF and all certified platforms. Pick EXTENDED only when a specific partner asks for the extra fields it carries.
Ready for the 2026 French mandate
From September 2026, every business in France must be able to receive electronic invoices, and large and mid-sized companies must issue them too, with smaller companies following in 2027. Invoices flow through the Portail Public de Facturation or a certified Plateforme de Dematerialisation Partenaire (PDP). Every file this generator produces is a compliant Factur-X PDF/A-3b, ready for that channel.
Compatible with your accounting software
Every file the generator produces embeds the structured data as Cross Industry Invoice (CII) XML, the syntax French accounting and ERP systems read by default. Sage, Cegid, EBP, Pennylane, and similar tools can import it without manual data entry, while the human-readable PDF layer means anyone can still open the invoice the usual way.
Already have an invoice as a PDF?
If your invoices already exist as PDF, DOCX, or XLSX files, you do not need to re-key them. Two related tools help:
Create, then validate before you send
Generating a file is not the same as generating a valid file. Every invoice you create here is checked against the official EN 16931 Schematron before download, so it is ready to send the moment you have it.
For the full background on deadlines and which businesses are affected, read our detailed guide: