What to write in the service description
German invoices require a clear description of the service delivered. Vague entries like "Consulting" or "Design work" are not sufficient — you need enough detail that both parties can identify what the invoice relates to. Here are examples for copywriter work:
Website copy
Texterstellung für 5 Unterseiten (About, Services, FAQ, Blog, Kontakt)
Blog articles
3 SEO-Blogartikel à 1.500 Wörter, Thema: nachhaltiges Bauen, März 2026
Email campaign
Erstellung einer E-Mail-Sequenz (5 E-Mails) für Produktlaunch
Required fields on a German invoice
German law (§14 UStG) specifies exactly what must appear on every invoice. Missing any of these can make the invoice legally non-compliant and give the client grounds to delay payment.
Full name and address
Your legal name and address as registered with the Finanzamt. If you trade under a business name, include both.
Client name and address
The full legal name and address of the recipient — not just a trading name or contact name.
Invoice date (Rechnungsdatum)
The date the invoice was issued. Not the date the work was completed, unless they are the same.
Invoice number (Rechnungsnummer)
A unique, sequential number. Must not be repeated. Gaps are allowed; going backwards is not.
Service description (Leistungsbeschreibung)
A clear description of what was delivered and when. Vague entries are not compliant.
Net amount (Nettobetrag)
The amount before VAT. If you are a Kleinunternehmer, this is also the total — no VAT line needed.
VAT amount or §19 disclaimer
VAT-registered: show 19% MwSt. Kleinunternehmer: include the §19 UStG disclaimer instead.
Your Steuernummer or Umsatzsteuer-ID
Mandatory on every invoice. Kleinunternehmer use their Steuernummer. VAT-registered businesses use their Umsatzsteuer-ID.
IBAN for payment
Not legally required but universally expected. Include your IBAN so the client can pay by bank transfer.
VAT for copywriters in Germany
Copywriters who stay below €22,000/year can invoice as Kleinunternehmer — no VAT, no monthly VAT returns. This is common for writers who are starting out or deliberately keeping their freelance work below the threshold. Above the limit, 19% MwSt applies. Content created for non-EU clients is not subject to German VAT.
§19 UStG disclaimer (required if you are a Kleinunternehmer)
Gemäß §19 UStG wird keine Umsatzsteuer berechnet.
Invoicing tips for copywriters
Specify word count or deliverable count
"Texterstellung" alone is vague. Be specific: number of words, number of pages, number of articles, number of revisions included. This prevents disputes about what was delivered.
Describe the medium
"Blog", "Landing Page", "Newsletter", "Whitepaper" — include this in the service description so both sides know what was produced. German clients' accounting departments appreciate specificity.
Include copyright transfer if relevant
If you are transferring all usage rights to the client (common for ghostwriting or branded content), note it: "inkl. vollständiger Nutzungsrechtsübertragung." This protects both parties.
Issue invoices promptly
German clients are required by law to pay within 30 days of invoice receipt. The clock only starts when the invoice is sent — so send it as soon as the work is complete.
Frequently asked questions
Are copywriters classified as Freiberufler in Germany?
Generally yes — copywriting, content creation, and journalism are recognised as freie Berufe under §18 EStG, provided the work requires linguistic creativity and individual expertise. Purely template-based content production may be classified differently. Most working copywriters in Germany register as Freiberufler without issue.
Can I invoice in English for German clients?
Yes — invoices can be in English. The only exception is the §19 UStG disclaimer, which is conventionally kept in German (or bilingual) so the client's accountant immediately recognises it. Service descriptions and all other fields can be in English.
How should I handle kill fees on a German invoice?
A kill fee (compensation for cancelled projects) can be invoiced as a normal service. Describe it clearly: "Ausfallhonorar gemäß Auftragsvereinbarung – Projektabbruch durch Auftraggeber." If you had a written agreement that specified the kill fee, reference it. The amount is income and taxable.
Do I need a Steuernummer before I can invoice?
Yes — you need to register with your local Finanzamt before issuing your first invoice. The Steuernummer (tax number) is a mandatory field on every German invoice. Registration usually takes 2–4 weeks. Some freelancers use a temporary "in Bearbeitung" note while waiting, but this carries risk — apply for the number before taking on paid work.
What do I do if a client doesn't pay?
Send a written payment reminder (Mahnung) after the due date. German law allows you to charge statutory default interest (currently base rate + 9 percentage points for B2B) automatically after the due date without a reminder — but sending one creates a clear paper trail. If unpaid after two reminders, you can file for a Mahnbescheid (payment order) through the court system without a lawyer.
Related guides
Create a legally correct copywriter invoice
§19 UStG or 19% MwSt. Sequential numbering. German PDF, instant download. No sign-up. €1.99.
Create my invoice — €1.99