Software guides · Exact Online · XRechnung
XRechnung in Exact Online
Exact Online does not generate XRechnung natively, but you can produce compliant German B2G invoices by combining Exact Online UBL export with validation and conversion tools. This guide covers the workflow for German public sector invoicing from Exact Online.
- Exact Online subscription with German entity or German customers
- Customer Leitweg-IDs for B2G recipients
- Invoice Navigator API key for validation and format checking
- Understanding of XRechnung requirements (Leitweg-ID, BR-DE rules)
- 01
Configure German customer records
In CRM > Accounts, add the Leitweg-ID in the buyer reference field for each German public sector customer. Format: 04011000-12345-67. Also ensure the customer address uses country code "DE" and includes the full postal address.
- 02
Export UBL invoice from Exact Online
Create and post the invoice normally. Export the generated UBL XML. This serves as the base document for XRechnung conversion.
- 03
Validate against XRechnung rules
Submit the UBL XML to Invoice Navigator for XRechnung validation. The validator checks all BR-DE rules including Leitweg-ID presence (BR-DE-15), seller contact requirements (BR-DE-17), and German-specific business rules.
- 04
Fix issues and revalidate
Address any validation errors in the source invoice data in Exact Online. Common fixes include adding missing Leitweg-ID, completing seller contact details, and ensuring correct German VAT ID format (DE + 9 digits).
- 05
Submit to German portal
Once validated, submit the compliant invoice to the appropriate German portal (ZRE for federal, OZG-RE for state-level, or via Peppol with XRechnung profile).
BR-DE-15Missing Buyer Reference (Leitweg-ID)
The Leitweg-ID field is not a standard field in Exact Online. It must be entered in the buyer reference or custom reference field, which may be overlooked.
How to fix itEnter the Leitweg-ID in the buyer reference field for each German B2G customer. Format: 04011000-12345-67. Verify it appears in the exported UBL output.
BR-DE-17Missing Seller Contact Details
XRechnung requires complete seller contact information (name, email, phone), which may not be fully configured in the Exact Online company settings.
How to fix itComplete all contact fields in Settings > Company > General. Add contact person name, email address, and telephone number.
BR-01Missing Specification Identifier
Exact Online UBL output uses the Dutch or Belgian CustomizationID, not the XRechnung-specific identifier required for German B2G invoicing.
How to fix itWhen converting to XRechnung, ensure the CustomizationID is set to the XRechnung URN. Use Invoice Navigator to validate and identify this issue.
Before exporting XRechnung from Exact Online, verify these items:
- 01Verify Leitweg-ID is entered for each B2G customer
- 02Confirm seller contact details are complete (name, email, phone)
- 03Check German VAT ID format: DE + 9 digits
- 04Ensure delivery date or service period is set on the invoice
- 05Verify all attachment filenames are unique
Use Invoice Navigator to validate your Exact Online invoices against the full XRechnung ruleset including all BR-DE rules. The validator identifies missing German-specific fields and provides fix guidance before you submit to government portals.
Can Exact Online generate XRechnung directly?
No, Exact Online does not generate XRechnung natively. You need to export UBL and ensure compliance with XRechnung-specific rules through validation tools like Invoice Navigator.
What is a Leitweg-ID and where do I find it?
A Leitweg-ID is a routing identifier for German public sector invoice recipients. Your B2G customer should provide their Leitweg-ID. You can also look it up at leitweg-id.de.
Have a XRechnung invoice from Exact Online that came back rejected? Check it here.
Checking is free. The first verified download every 30 days is free. After that €1.90 per invoice, or €9 a month for all of them.