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The Leitweg-ID: what it is, how it's built and where it goes
To invoice a German public body you need its Leitweg-ID. Without it, your XRechnung doesn't reach anyone.
What it is
The Leitweg-ID is a public body's address for e-invoices: the receiving portal uses it to route your invoice to the right office. You get it from the authority, usually with the contract or order. You don't need one of your own, and there's no public directory: ask if it's missing.
How it's built
- Coarse address (required): starts with the state's number (01 to 16) or 99 for the federal government, then more digits depending on the authority.
- Fine address (optional): after a hyphen, up to 30 letters and digits.
- Check digits (required): after another hyphen, two digits computed with ISO 7064 (MOD 97-10).
- The shape looks like this: 04011000-12345-03.
Where it goes
In an XRechnung the Leitweg-ID goes in the buyer reference (field BT-10). For business customers, put an order or cost-center number they give you there instead; the field can't be empty in an XRechnung.
Avoid typos
One wrong character and the portal rejects the invoice. The e-invoice generator checks the check digits as you type, in your browser. The validator tells you whether a finished XRechnung will pass.