What must I archive for an electronic invoice?

The original XML file (the legal document) plus the SPV submission/receipt proof. The PDF rendering alone is not enough.

How long do I keep electronic invoices?

For the period required by law — generally 10 years for financial-accounting documents. Don't delete documents before the period expires.

What integrity requirements apply?

The archive must show documents haven't been altered and allow quick retrieval on request. A non-searchable archive is an audit risk.

How do I make a searchable archive?

Azuvio keeps the XML, SPV proofs and payment links in an archive searchable by partner, period and status, ready for audits.

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Electronic invoice archiving

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ANAF · 6 min

Legal archiving of electronic invoices: how long and how

An electronic invoice must be kept in its original form (XML) together with the SPV proofs, for the full period required by law. An incomplete archive is a problem at the first audit.

This guide explains what to archive, for how long and how to maintain document integrity and accessibility.

How to archive correctly

Keep the original XML, not just the PDF
The legal document is the XML, not the PDF rendering. Archive the original XML file plus the SPV submission/receipt proof. The PDF alone isn't enough.
Respect the legal retention period
Invoices are kept for the period required by law (generally 10 years for financial-accounting documents). Don't delete documents before the period expires.
Ensure integrity and accessibility
The archive must guarantee documents haven't been altered and can be retrieved quickly on request. A non-searchable archive is as bad as no archive in an audit.
Structured archive with Azuvio
Azuvio keeps the original XML, SPV proofs and links to payments/records in an archive searchable by partner, period and status. In an audit, you find any document in seconds.

Bottom line

Legal archiving isn't just 'keeping files' — it's keeping the right documents (XML + proofs), for the right period, in a searchable way. That turns an audit into a formality, not a crisis.

Last updated: 2026-07-07

Frequently asked

What must I archive for an electronic invoice?: The original XML file (the legal document) plus the SPV submission/receipt proof. The PDF rendering alone is not enough.
How long do I keep electronic invoices?: For the period required by law — generally 10 years for financial-accounting documents. Don't delete documents before the period expires.
What integrity requirements apply?: The archive must show documents haven't been altered and allow quick retrieval on request. A non-searchable archive is an audit risk.
How do I make a searchable archive?: Azuvio keeps the XML, SPV proofs and payment links in an archive searchable by partner, period and status, ready for audits.

Related glossary terms

e-Factura (RO e-Invoice)
SPV (Virtual Private Space)
SAF-T (D406 return)