Guide

Leitweg-ID: Format, Check Digit, and BT-10

Some German public-sector recipients use a Leitweg-ID to route an invoice. The recipient must provide the value.

What is a Leitweg-ID?

A Leitweg-ID is a routing identifier that some German public-sector recipients use for electronic invoices. It consists of a coarse address, an optional fine address, and a check value.

Mandatory Information

Use a Leitweg-ID in BT-10 when the recipient or its submission portal requires one. Obtain it from the order, contract, or recipient; not every German public-sector channel uses the same routing rule.

Leitweg-ID basics

Leitweg-ID guide: structure, examples and BT-10

Format Requirements

Total length between 5 and 46 characters
Coarse addressing (Grobstruktur): 2 to 12 digits assigned by the public authority
Optional fine addressing (Feinstruktur): up to 30 characters
Two-digit check digit at the end (Modulo 97)
Hyphens (-) separate segments; no spaces or other special characters
The public authority must provide the actual identifier for each order

Try it

Anatomy of a Leitweg-ID

Type or paste a Leitweg-ID. It splits into its three parts, and the check digits are verified as you type.

Leitweg-ID

Try:

Coarse addressing

2–12 digits

Fine addressing

Optional · up to 30 letters or digits

Check digits

2 digits · MOD 97-10

Valid Leitweg-ID. The check digits 19 match.

As one numberHyphens dropped, letters become numbers (A = 10 … Z = 35).

9910373019

Divided by 97, it leaves remainder 1: valid.

12 characters (5–46 allowed)Starts with 99: federal level (Bund)Goes into BT-10 (BuyerReference)

Structure and check digits per the Leitweg-ID format specification v2.0.2 (KoSIT). The figure uses the same check as our PDF-to-XRechnung review.

Authority Types and Structure

Federal authorities (99x)

Federal ministries and subordinate authorities; common coarse prefixes include 991 and 992 for OZG-RE routing Examples: 991-, 992-

State authorities (Bundesländer) (State)

State-level recipients assign coarse and fine addressing per the official format specification Examples: Assigned by authority

Municipal and other public bodies (Municipal)

Cities, districts, and other public entities; submission channels and IDs vary by recipient Examples: Assigned by authority

Example Leitweg-IDs

991-03730-19 (Federal authority)

Illustrative federal example

991-12345-73 (Federal authority)

Illustrative example only

Validation Process

Confirm the ID was supplied by the public authority on the order or contract
Check total length (5–46 characters) and segment structure
Verify the two-digit Modulo 97 check digit where applicable
Place the value in BuyerReference (BT-10) in the XRechnung XML
Validate the XML against KoSIT rules before submission
Use the recipient’s stated submission channel (e.g. OZG-RE for federal authorities)

Quick actions

Convert invoice Validate XML Developer API

Common Errors & Solutions

Invalid format

Leitweg-ID does not meet format requirements Solution: Correct format according to official specifications

Wrong recipient ID

The Leitweg-ID does not match the authority named on the order Solution: Request the correct Leitweg-ID from the procurement contact

Inactive status

Authority is temporarily not ready to receive Solution: Use alternative transmission methods or try later

Routing error

Technical delivery not possible Solution: Contact Access Point Provider

Format Example

coarse address	fine address	check value
991	03730	19

Official specification

There is no single public lookup directory for every Leitweg-ID. Obtain the identifier from the order, contract, or procurement contact and follow the recipient’s portal documentation.

Open specification