# Leitweg-ID Guide: Format, Examples & Routing Rules (2026)

- Date: 2025-01-07
- Modified: 2026-09-09
- Reviewed: July 9, 2026
- Reading time: 4 min read

Leitweg-ID for XRechnung B2G: format (5–46 characters), Grobstruktur/Feinstruktur, OZG-RE routing, and correct BT-10 placement.

> Reviewed against Leitweg-ID (XStandards Einkauf / KoSIT), BMI e-invoice introduction.

## Leitweg-ID: Your Key to Successful XRechnung Invoicing in Germany

              The **Leitweg-ID** is the buyer reference (Business Term BT-10) that identifies the public-sector recipient of an XRechnung invoice. If it is missing, invalid, or entered in the wrong field, the recipient or submission platform may reject the invoice or be unable to route it correctly.

**Invoice-Converter.com** places the buyer reference in BT-10 and runs technical checks during conversion. Use the Leitweg-ID supplied by the public authority.

### What is a Leitweg-ID?

              The Leitweg-ID is a unique electronic routing address used in Germany's public administration. It functions like an electronic postal code, ensuring that your XRechnung invoice reaches the exact department or agency responsible for processing and paying it.

### Structure of a Leitweg-ID (Grobstruktur & Feinstruktur)

              A Leitweg-ID is a structured identifier of 5 to 46 characters, made up of alphanumeric segments separated by hyphens.

                - **Grobstruktur (coarse structure):** 2 to 12 digits assigned by the administration. At federal level the prefixes 991 and 992 are common on OZG-RE.

                - **Feinstruktur (fine addressing):** the recipient-specific organisation or unit code. It is optional and can be empty or up to 30 characters, so a short Leitweg-ID is not automatically a truncated one.

                - **Check digit:** two digits calculated with Modulo 97. A typo earlier in the identifier almost always breaks this digit, so a check-digit failure usually means "retype the value", not "request a new ID".

              
              **Example Format:** `991-03730-19` (illustrative only). Your public authority must provide the actual Leitweg-ID for the order.

### Federal (Bund) vs. State (Bundesländer) Routing Rules

              Germany operates under a federal structure, meaning submission portals and Leitweg-ID rules differ between levels of government:

                - **Federal Authorities:** Federal invoices are submitted through the Online Access Act-compliant Invoice Submission Platform (OZG-RE). The former ZRE platform was consolidated into OZG-RE on 19 September 2025. Check the recipient's instructions for the applicable submission channel and Leitweg-ID.

                - **State and municipal authorities:** Submission channels and requirements vary by recipient. Follow the instructions in the order or contract and use the Leitweg-ID supplied by the public authority.

              

              ### How to Obtain a Leitweg-ID

              
                - **Official Purchase Order:** Check the official order document or contract from the public authority.

                - **Contact the Recipient:** Request the Leitweg-ID directly from your contact person at the procurement office.

                - **Official platform guidance:** Consult the recipient's e-invoicing portal documentation. There is no single public lookup directory for every Leitweg-ID.

              

              ### Using the Leitweg-ID in XRechnung XML

              The Leitweg-ID must be placed strictly in the `BuyerReference` element (BT-10). In UBL XML, this is `/Invoice/cbc:BuyerReference`. In CII XML (ZUGFeRD/XRechnung CII), it belongs in `/rsm:CrossIndustryInvoice/rsm:SupplyChainTradeTransaction/ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement/ram:BuyerReference`.

### What the Leitweg-ID check covers

              Our [PDF to XRechnung workflow](/en/pdf-to-xrechnung) checks syntax, length, and the Modulo 97 check digit. This technical check does not confirm recipient acceptance or that the buyer supplied the correct ID.

## FAQ

### What is a Leitweg-ID?

A Leitweg-ID is a unique routing identifier used in Germany to direct electronic invoices (XRechnung) to the correct recipient within the public sector. It functions like an electronic postal code for government invoices.

### How do I find my Leitweg-ID?

You can find the Leitweg-ID on your purchase order or contract from the public authority. Alternatively, ask your contact person at the government agency or follow the recipient's portal documentation.

### What is the format of a Leitweg-ID?

5 to 46 characters: a Grobstruktur of 2 to 12 digits, an optional Feinstruktur of up to 30 characters for the receiving unit, and a two-digit Modulo 97 check digit. The public authority provides the actual identifier; do not construct one yourself.

### Is Leitweg-ID mandatory for XRechnung?

For invoices to public-sector recipients that require a Leitweg-ID, it must be supplied in BT-10. Follow the recipient's order or portal instructions, including any applicable legal exceptions. In B2B there is usually no Leitweg-ID at all: BT-10 then carries whatever buyer reference your customer asks for, and that value is not a Leitweg-ID.

### Can I check a Leitweg-ID before sending?

Invoice-Converter.com checks syntax, length, and the Modulo 97 check digit during conversion. This does not confirm recipient acceptance or that the buyer supplied the correct ID.

## Official references

- [Leitweg-ID (XStandards Einkauf / KoSIT)](https://xeinkauf.de/aktuelles/xrechnung/leitweg-id/)
- [BMI e-invoice introduction](https://www.bmi.bund.de/DE/themen/moderne-verwaltung/verwaltungsmodernisierung/einfuehrung-e-rechnung/einfuehrung-e-rechnung-node.html)