Germany B2G E-Invoicing Requirements
Requirements for invoicing German federal, state, and local authorities
Last verified: 15 January 2025(verification pending)
Source: German Federal Ministry of Finance
Germany B2G Invoicing — Key Facts
- Status
- Mandatory since 2020
- Required Format
- XRechnung
- Submission Portal
- ZRE / OZG-RE
- Routing ID
- Leitweg-ID required
- Peppol
- Supported
Overview
Since November 2020, all suppliers to German federal authorities must submit invoices electronically. State and local governments followed with their own timelines. The XRechnung standard, based on EN 16931, is the required format.
Requirements
B2G invoices must use the XRechnung format (UBL or CII syntax) and include a valid Leitweg-ID for routing. The Leitweg-ID identifies the specific government entity and is typically provided by the contracting authority.
How to Comply
Submit invoices through the ZRE (Zentraler Rechnungseingang) portal for federal entities or relevant state portals. Alternatively, use the Peppol network if registered. Ensure your invoice contains all mandatory XRechnung fields including the Leitweg-ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Leitweg-ID?
The Leitweg-ID is a routing code that identifies the specific government entity receiving the invoice. It is provided by the contracting authority and must be included in every B2G e-invoice.
Can I use ZUGFeRD for B2G invoices?
ZUGFeRD 2.x invoices are generally accepted if they use an XRechnung-conformant profile (Extended or higher). However, pure XRechnung is preferred for B2G.
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