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How do I send e-invoices to German public authorities?

The German federal administration receives e-invoices via its central invoice receipt platform OZG-RE. Regardless of the transmission method, you must register with the OZG-RE as an invoice sender. The registration is free of charge.

For the e-invoice itself, the following applies:

  • Use the format XRechnung UBL.
  • Specify the Leitweg-ID of your contracting authority as the buyer reference. Without the Leitweg-ID in the e-invoice, the OZG-RE rejects it. You find the Leitweg-ID in your contract documents, or you ask your contracting authority.

The OZG-RE accepts e-invoices via the following transmission methods, which you can serve using JustOn Billing & Invoice Management:

Peppol

Set the e-invoice distribution channel Peppol and send the e-invoice using Send E-Invoice, see Sending E-Invoices.

  • E-invoice recipient address: the Leitweg-ID of your contracting authority, with the scheme 0204
  • E-invoice sender address: your VAT ID with the scheme 9930 (or your Global Location Number with the scheme 0088)

Sending e-invoices via Peppol requires you to be registered as a Peppol participant. This can be done as part of your e-invoice onboarding. For details, contact JustOn Support.

Email

Once registered, the OZG-RE provides you with an individual recipient email address that identifies you as the invoice sender. Set the e-invoice distribution channel Email and send the invoice email to this address.

The OZG-RE processes an email only if it meets the following rules – otherwise, it discards the email including all attachments:

  • The email contains exactly one e-invoice.
  • The email contains no other attachments without structured data – including the invoice PDF.

To attach the e-invoice XML file only, set Email File Types to E-Invoice, see Email Attachments. The subject and the body of the email are ignored.

The OZG-RE asks not to use no-reply sender addresses. Specify an email sender address that can receive replies, and check whether your outgoing emails use noreply@salesforce.com, see How to remove noreply@salesforce.com from sender address?.

Upload
Download the e-invoice XML file from the invoice record, and upload it manually to the OZG-RE.

For details, see Übertragungskanäle on the website of the German federal administration (in German).

Note

The federal states implement e-invoicing on their own authority. Some of them operate their own invoice portals, and their requirements – including the assignment of Leitweg-IDs – vary. When invoicing a state or municipal authority, ask your contracting authority for the expected transmission method, see Umsetzung der E-Rechnung in den Bundesländern (in German).

Related information:
Do I need a Leitweg-ID?
Sending E-Invoices
E-Rechnung in Deutschland – Ein Leitfaden DE