Sending an XRechnung to a German authority

If you work for German federal, state or local government, you usually have to submit your invoice as an XRechnung. A PDF by email is often rejected. Here is how it works.

1. Ask for the Leitweg-ID

The Leitweg-ID tells the invoice portal which office receives the invoice. It is usually on the purchase order; otherwise ask your contact. Without it the invoice is rejected (error BR-DE-15).

2. Create the XRechnung

Besides the usual invoice details, an XRechnung needs among others:

• Leitweg-ID (buyer reference)
• A contact person with phone and email (BR-DE-2)
• Payment details with IBAN (BR-DE-1)
• The customer’s email address

In our invoice form tick “Also create XRechnung”. It checks the file against the official KoSIT rules before you download it.

3. Submit through the right portal

Authorities usually accept XRechnungen through an invoice portal: for federal bodies e.g. the ZRE or OZG-RE; many states and municipalities have their own portals or email addresses. The purchase order or your customer tells you which one applies. Portals usually need a one-time registration.

4. If the invoice is rejected

The portal names one or more error codes. We explain the most common ones: XRechnung error codes. Fix the invoice, create it again and resubmit.

More guides

• Open an XRechnung and save it as PDF
• ZUGFeRD or XRechnung: which one do I need?
• E-invoices for small businesses under § 19 UStG

General information, not tax or legal advice. As of: 2026-11-05.