Accounting and invoicing for electricians

New installation, emergency call-outs, inspections, smart home: an electrical contractor bills material, fitting time and test protocols, in stages on new builds and at once on call-outs. Saldiqo writes quote, stage invoice and invoice from the same lines and records material receipts from the wholesaler.

Updated: 16 October 2026

What comes up for electricians

Material in large numbers

Cables, boxes, switches, fuses: hundreds of items from the wholesaler that have to be assigned to a job.

Call-out today, new build over months

Emergency work bills by the hour and at once, installation on a new build in stages over months.

Inspections and maintenance

Recurring inspections of installations and appliances are fixed dates at fixed prices and bring predictable turnover.

How Saldiqo helps

Quote, stage invoice, final invoiceStage invoices by progress come from the quote, and the final invoice deducts them.
Hours and material kept apartRecord fitting time with start and stop and add material as items.
Inspections as recurring invoicesYearly inspections and maintenance contracts are created by a recurring invoice on schedule.
Wholesaler receiptsPhotograph the receipt, capture it as an expense and assign it to a site.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

Electrical installation new build, stage 1 of 3
Electrician, hour
Material as per delivery note
Inspection of fixed installations, flat fee
Call-out outside working hours, surcharge
Smart home control, set-up

Tax and invoicing in Germany

What applies to invoices in Germany, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT: Standard rate 19 %, reduced rate 7 %. Which rate applies to which supply depends on the case. Saldiqo calculates each invoice line with the rate you pick.
Small business scheme: Under section 19 of the VAT Act (UStG) you charge no VAT as long as your turnover was at most €25,000 last year and is at most €100,000 this year. Saldiqo shows how much room is left and adds the note to your invoice.
Mandatory details: Under section 14 UStG every invoice shows a tax number or VAT ID, a consecutive invoice number, the date of supply and the recipient. Saldiqo checks this before you finalise an invoice. Small invoices up to €250 gross need fewer details.
E-invoicing: All businesses have had to be able to receive e-invoices since 1 January 2025. Issuing becomes mandatory from 2027 if last year’s turnover was above €800,000, and from 2028 for domestic business-to-business sales in all cases. Small businesses under section 19 are exempt. Saldiqo creates XRechnung and ZUGFeRD.
VAT return: The advance VAT return goes to the tax office through ELSTER, by the 10th after the end of the period. You file monthly if last year’s VAT was above €9,000 and quarterly above €2,000. Saldiqo provides the figures; you file in ELSTER or through your tax adviser.
Record keeping: Keep invoices and accounting vouchers for 8 years, books for 10 years and business letters for 6 years. The period starts at the end of the calendar year.
Late payment: In the second half of 2026 the default interest rate is 10.52 % between businesses and 6.52 % towards consumers, plus a €40 flat fee that applies to businesses only. Saldiqo has reminder levels with deadlines and fees.
Getting paid: Every invoice carries a GiroCode (EPC QR) that customers scan with their banking app. You match payments by uploading the bank statement as CSV or CAMT.
Tax adviser: Cash-basis profit calculation (EÜR), a DATEV export and a separate login for your tax adviser are built in.

Frequently asked questions

Can I send stage invoices by progress?

Yes. You create stage invoices straight from the quote, and the final invoice deducts them.

How do I bill an emergency call-out?

You record hours and material and write the invoice on site or the same evening.

Do electricians in Germany have to charge VAT?

Yes, unless they qualify as small businesses under section 19 UStG. That applies when turnover was at most €25,000 last year and is at most €100,000 this year. The limit is hard: VAT is due on the sale that takes you over it.

Do electricians in Germany need e-invoicing?

Every business must be able to receive e-invoices since 2025. Issuing is mandatory from 2027 if last year’s turnover was above €800,000, and from 2028 for domestic business-to-business sales in general. Small businesses, invoices up to €250 and tickets are exempt. Private customers still get a normal invoice.

How long do electricians have to keep invoices?

Invoices and vouchers for 8 years, books for 10 years and business letters for 6 years, counted from the end of the calendar year. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records and to document your procedures stays with you.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.