# Leitweg-ID

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.

## 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

## 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

### 991-12345-67 (Federal authority)
Illustrative example only

## Validation Process

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

- [Convert invoice](/en/pdf-to-xrechnung?source=resource)
- [Validate XML](/en/xrechnung-validator?source=resource)
- [Developer API](/en/developer-api?source=resource)

## 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](https://xeinkauf.de/app/uploads/2024/07/Leitweg-ID-Spezifikation.pdf)

## Resources & Links

- [Official Specification](https://xeinkauf.de/app/uploads/2024/07/Leitweg-ID-Spezifikation.pdf)
- [XRechnung Standard](/resources/compliance/xrechnung-standard)