Standard
PDF/A-3
Definition
PDF/A-3 is an ISO standard (ISO 19005-3) for long-term archiving of PDF documents that, unlike earlier variants (PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2), allows embedding of arbitrary file types as attachments. ZUGFeRD and Factur-X exploit this capability to embed the XML invoice data inside the PDF file, making the document simultaneously human-readable and machine-processable.
Switch to German:PDF/A-3 (DE)
Related terms
ZUGFeRDZUGFeRD (Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland) is a hybrid invoice format that combines a human-readable PDF/A-3 file with embedded machine-readable XML data. The format is maintained by the Forum elektronische Rechnung Deutschland (FeRD) and exists in several profiles (MINIMUM, BASIC, EN 16931, EXTENDED). It is technically identical to the European Factur-X standard.Factur-XFactur-X is the Franco-German standard for hybrid electronic invoices, jointly developed by the French association FNFE-MPE and the German FeRD. Technically, Factur-X is identical to ZUGFeRD from version 2.0 onwards and uses UN/CEFACT CII as its XML syntax. The format is recognised across the European Union as a de facto standard for hybrid B2B invoices.GoBD (Principles for the Proper Keeping and Storage of Books, Records and Documents in Electronic Form)The GoBD are administrative guidelines issued by the German Federal Ministry of Finance for audit-compliant archiving and retention of tax-relevant documents in electronic form. They set requirements for immutability, completeness, orderliness, traceability, and machine readability. Electronic invoices must be retained in compliance with GoBD requirements — i.e., in their original electronic format, not as printouts.