{"id":7349,"date":"2026-04-08T16:05:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:05:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jimdo.com/blog\/?p=7349"},"modified":"2026-04-08T16:06:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:06:17","slug":"when-is-an-invoice-required","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jimdo.com/blog\/when-is-an-invoice-required\/","title":{"rendered":"Payment Link or Invoice \u2013 When Is an Invoice Required?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Payment links make getting paid simple: enter the amount, send the link, receive money. But as a freelancer, you\u2019re right to ask: is a payment link enough \u2013 or do I need to write an invoice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The short answer: <\/strong>In most business situations, an invoice is required. A payment link is not a substitute for an invoice \u2013 it\u2019s a practical complement. It makes it easy for your client to pay you immediately. The details depend on the type of business you run and where you provide your services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Germany, the VAT Act (\u00a714 UStG) primarily governs when freelancers must issue an invoice. The key rules for invoicing obligations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n An invoice with all mandatory information is required for:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A payment link alone may suffice for:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Good to know: <\/strong>From 2027, the obligation to send invoices as e-invoices applies in Germany for B2B transactions. Anyone who already uses invoicing software that supports e-invoicing will be spared the transition later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: <\/strong>When in doubt, an invoice is always the safe choice \u2013 and with Jimdo, it\u2019s created in under two minutes. With Jimdo invoices, you can meet all legal mandatory requirements, are GoBD-compliant in Germany and BAO-compliant in Austria \u2013 and you get paid faster when you use an integrated payment link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Austria, \u00a711 UStG 1994 governs the invoicing obligation. It applies to all entrepreneurs and freelancers who provide goods or services for payment \u2013 regardless of business size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An invoice is required for:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A payment link alone may suffice for:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Good to know: <\/strong>In Austria, the receipt issuance obligation applies \u2013 for cash payments, a receipt must always be created and handed to the customer, even without a cash register obligation. Payments by bank transfer, online banking, or PayPal do not count as cash transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: <\/strong>In Austria too: an invoice with a payment link is the safest and fastest way to get paid while meeting all legal requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you provide a service and receive money for it, you generally need an invoice. The payment link is the means by which your client pays the invoice \u2013 not a substitute for it. In Jimdo, both come together: you can add a payment link to any invoice with one click, allowing your client to pay directly via credit card, PayPal, or other payment methods.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating invoices and sending payment links is included in every paid Jimdo plan \u2013 at no extra charge*. During the launch phase \u2013 until August 30, 2026 \u2013 both are unlimited. After that, limits depend on your plan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Payment links remain unlimited in all plans.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Is an Invoice Required in Germany?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Invoicing Obligation in Austria<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Rule of Thumb for Freelancers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s Included in My Jimdo Plan?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/td> Start<\/strong><\/td> Grow<\/strong><\/td> eCommerce Basic \/ Unlimited \/ eCom Business & VIP<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Invoices\/month<\/td> Until 08\/30\/2026 unlimited, then: 5<\/td> Until 08\/30\/2026 unlimited, then: 25<\/td> Unlimited<\/td><\/tr> Payment links<\/td> Unlimited<\/td> Unlimited<\/td> Unlimited<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n