errorDEPEPPOL_BIS

DE-R-015:The element "Buyer reference" (BT-10) shall be provided.

Buyer reference is missing. German invoices must include the buyer reference (BT-10), typically a purchase order number or Leitweg-ID.

Why This Error Matters

Invoice will be rejected by German XRechnung validators. Germany has additional mandatory fields beyond EN16931 baseline, including seller contact details, complete addresses, and buyer reference (Leitweg-ID).

Common Causes

  • German invoice missing buyer reference
  • BT-10 Buyer reference not provided
  • cbc:BuyerReference element empty or absent
  • Leitweg-ID or reference required for German public sector
  • XRechnung mandates buyer reference for routing

Frequently Asked Questions

Buyer reference is missing. German invoices must include the buyer reference (BT-10), typically a purchase order number or Leitweg-ID.
Buyer reference is missing. German invoices must include the buyer reference (BT-10), typically a purchase order number or Leitweg-ID. You can also use Invoice Navigator's automatic Fixer tool to correct this instantly.
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.
Many instances of DE-R-015 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's Fixer tool. Upload your invoice and the tool will identify and fix common issues.

See Also

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E-Invoicing in Germany

Requirements & common errors

Last updated: 16 January 2026

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