E-Invoicing
Leitweg-ID
Definition
The Leitweg-ID is a unique routing identifier used by German public sector buyers to receive electronic invoices. It typically consists of a combination of an authority code, optional subdivisions, and a check digit, e.g. `991-12345678-06`. The Leitweg-ID is provided in the XRechnung field BT-10 (Buyer Reference) and ensures that an invoice is correctly delivered and processed within an authority.
Background & context
The Leitweg-ID is the addressing and routing instrument for electronic invoices to the German public administration. It is assigned by the respective contracting authority and communicated to the invoicing party — typically in the order, the contract or the procurement notice. Structurally, a Leitweg-ID consists of three hyphen-separated parts: a coarse address (the authority code, 2 to 12 digits), an optional fine address (up to 30 digits for internal subdivisions) and a two-digit check number. A complete example is `04011000-1234512345-06`. In the XRechnung, the Leitweg-ID is placed in Business Term BT-10 (Buyer Reference / BuyerReference). The obligation to provide it arises from the German business rule BR-DE-2; a format error triggers BR-DE-15. Without a correct Leitweg-ID, the ZRE and OZG-RE platforms cannot route the invoice to the responsible organisational unit.
In practice — a worked example
A contractor receives the Leitweg-ID `04011000-1234512345-06` from a state authority. In the UBL XRechnung it enters it unchanged into `<cbc:BuyerReference>04011000-1234512345-06</cbc:BuyerReference>`. On upload, the portal automatically checks the check digit and the format. If the ID is truncated (e.g. the check digit omitted) or padded with spaces, validation fails on BR-DE-15 and the invoice is not delivered — even if all other fields are correct.
Common mistakes
- •Do not confuse the Leitweg-ID with the order number (BT-13) — it belongs exclusively in BT-10 (BuyerReference).
- •Never truncate, reformat, or pad the ID with spaces/special characters; the check digit must be preserved (otherwise BR-DE-15).
- •A Leitweg-ID applies per receiving unit — with multiple authorities or sub-units, the specifically assigned ID must be used each time.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get the Leitweg-ID?
The Leitweg-ID is assigned by the invoice recipient (the authority) and communicated to you — usually in the order, the contract or the tender documents. You cannot generate it yourself.
Which field does the Leitweg-ID go in?
Into Business Term BT-10 (Buyer Reference), in UBL the element cbc:BuyerReference. It is mandatory there for XRechnung invoices to public buyers.
What does the last digit mean?
The two-digit final part is a check number that safeguards the correctness of the entire ID. Validators recompute it and reject invoices with a wrong check number (BR-DE-15).