To validate XML files, the "xml:validate" goal is used. It is configured through a section like the following in your POM: <build> <plugins> ... <plugin> <groupId>org.codehaus.mojo</groupId> <artifactId>xml-maven-plugin</artifactId> <executions> <execution> <goals> <goal>validate</goal> </goals> </execution> </executions> <configuration> <validationSets> <validationSet> <dir>xml</dir> </validation