Is DE-R-015 a critical error?

Yes, DE-R-015 is a critical error that will cause invoice rejection. It must be fixed before submission to ensure your invoice is accepted.

Can DE-R-015 be automatically fixed?

DE-R-015 requires a specific input value (e.g., a missing identifier or code). Provide the required data and re-validate.

Error codes · EN 16931 · Germany

DE-R-015Fixable here

Buyer reference required (German)

This is the rejection, word for word: „[DE-R-015] German invoices must include a Buyer reference (BT-10). For B2G (Business-to-Government) invoices, this is typically the Leitweg-ID routing number.“

What to have readyBuyer Reference / Leitweg-ID

What we doThe buyer reference is missing. If you have a purchase order number, we can use that. Otherwise, please provide the buyer reference or Leitweg-ID given to you by your customer.

Choose the rejected invoiceor drop it here

XRechnung XML or ZUGFeRD PDF. Checking is free · corrected file €1.90 · the first every 30 days is free · no sign-up.

If you enter it yourself in your invoicing software

Before

<Invoice>
  <cbc:BuyerReference><!-- invalid or missing value --></cbc:BuyerReference>
</Invoice>

After

<Invoice>
  <cbc:BuyerReference>correct-value</cbc:BuyerReference>
</Invoice>

What the finding looks likeExample

FindingValue missing · DE-R-015

Location/Invoice/cbc:BuyerReference

From youBuyer Reference / Leitweg-ID

ThenPassed

ProofSHA-256 and /verify link after the check

Often appears together with

DE-R-008The element "Buyer city" (BT-52) shall be provided.