# BT-5 Invoice Currency Code The currency used for all invoice amounts. If VAT accounting currency (BT-6) differs, BT-111 additionally gives the total VAT amount in that accounting currency. Use an ISO 4217 currency code. > BT-5 (Invoice currency code) is the ISO 4217 alpha-3 code (EUR, USD, GBP) in which all invoice amounts are expressed. Mandatory under EN 16931, it governs every monetary field on the document and pairs with BT-6 when VAT must be reported in a different currency. Example: EUR. > > BT-5 · EN 16931 / XRechnung 3.x ## BT Reference Card Key EN 16931 and XRechnung facts for this business term. - **BT code**: BT-5 - **Name**: Invoice Currency Code - **Cardinality**: Mandatory (M) - **Business group**: Document - **Data type**: Code - **Example value**: EUR - **Common error**: BR-05: An Invoice shall have an Invoice currency code. Must be a valid ISO 4217 alpha-3 code; KoSIT rejects free-text currency names like "Euro". ## Quick answer The currency used for all invoice amounts. If VAT accounting currency (BT-6) differs, BT-111 additionally gives the total VAT amount in that accounting currency. Use an ISO 4217 currency code. > **Invoice basics**: Core document identifiers, dates, process identifiers, and high-level invoice context. - [Validate XML](/en/xrechnung-validator?source=resource&bt=BT-5) - [Convert invoice](/en/pdf-to-xrechnung?source=resource&bt=BT-5) ## In plain language The currency used for all invoice amounts. If VAT accounting currency (BT-6) differs, BT-111 additionally gives the total VAT amount in that accounting currency. Use an ISO 4217 currency code. The currency used for all invoice amounts. If VAT accounting currency (BT-6) differs, BT-111 additionally gives the total VAT amount in that accounting currency. Use an ISO 4217 currency code. The currency code sets the monetary unit for all invoice amounts. If BT-6 differs, BT-110 and BT-112 remain in this invoice currency; BT-111 adds the VAT total in the accounting currency. ## What you usually enter here Three-letter ISO 4217 currency code Typical valid values include: EUR, USD, GBP, CHF Mandatory according to EN 16931-1. Must use valid ISO 4217 codes. German businesses typically use EUR but can invoice in other currencies. ## What goes wrong often Avoid values like: Euro, Dollar, Pound, 978 Relevant rule codes: BR-05, BR-CL-04 ## Examples in context The currency code sets the monetary unit for all invoice amounts. If BT-6 differs, BT-110 and BT-112 remain in this invoice currency; BT-111 adds the VAT total in the accounting currency. Mandatory according to EN 16931-1. Must use valid ISO 4217 codes. German businesses typically use EUR but can invoice in other currencies. ## Valid Examples - EUR - USD - GBP - CHF - JPY - CAD - AUD - SEK - NOK - DKK ## Invalid Examples - Euro - Dollar - Pound - 978 - eu - EURO ## Related Fields The currency code sets the monetary unit for all invoice amounts. If BT-6 differs, BT-110 and BT-112 remain in this invoice currency; BT-111 adds the VAT total in the accounting currency. - [BT-6 VAT accounting currency code](/resources/xrechnung/bt-6-vat-accounting-currency-code) - [BT-109 Invoice Total Amount Without VAT](/resources/xrechnung/bt-109-invoice-total-amount-without-vat) - [BT-110 Invoice Total VAT Amount](/resources/xrechnung/bt-110-invoice-total-vat-amount) - [BT-111 Invoice total VAT amount in accounting currency](/resources/xrechnung/bt-111-invoice-total-vat-amount-in-accounting-currency) - [BT-112 Invoice Total Amount With VAT](/resources/xrechnung/bt-112-invoice-total-amount-with-vat) - [BT-115 Amount Due for Payment](/resources/xrechnung/bt-115-amount-due-for-payment) ## XML mapping and field facts Open the technical reference if you need XML paths, validator rule codes, legal wording, or schema-specific mapping details. ### Field ID: BT-5 ### Data Type: code ### Cardinality: 1..1 ### Requirement: Mandatory ### Max Length: 3 characters ### Since Version: XRechnung 1.0+ ## XML Implementation ### UBL 2.1 Syntax ``` /Invoice/cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode ``` ### CII (UN/CEFACT) Syntax ``` /CrossIndustryInvoice/SupplyChainTradeTransaction/ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement/ram:InvoiceCurrencyCode ``` ## Validation Rules ### BR-05 BR-05 ### BR-CL-04 BR-CL-04 ## Create an XRechnung from your PDF and confirm the BT-5 code The converter determines the code from the details on the invoice. You see the value before download and can correct it; the invoice is checked against the XRechnung rules. Already have an XML file? The free validator reports findings for this field, for example BR-CL-04, BR-05. - [Convert invoice](/en/pdf-to-xrechnung) - [Validate XML](/en/xrechnung-validator) Download requires an account. Subscriptions from €10/month with annual billing (excl. taxes), or €5 per conversion (excl. taxes) without a subscription. ## Why the standard cares about this field ### Business Context The currency code sets the monetary unit for all invoice amounts. If BT-6 differs, BT-110 and BT-112 remain in this invoice currency; BT-111 adds the VAT total in the accounting currency. ### Legal Requirement Mandatory according to EN 16931-1. Must use valid ISO 4217 codes. German businesses typically use EUR but can invoice in other currencies. ## FAQ ### Can I use currencies other than EUR for German invoices? Yes, you can invoice in any ISO 4217 currency. However, for VAT reporting to German authorities, amounts may need to be converted to EUR. ### What happens when invoice currency differs from VAT accounting currency? BT-110 and BT-112 stay in the invoice currency from BT-5. When BT-6 is present, provide the additional VAT total in accounting currency in BT-111. ## Official sources and tools - [KoSIT Validator](https://erechnungsvalidator.service-bw.de/) - [XRechnung Standard](https://xeinkauf.de/xrechnung/) - [Test Suite](https://github.com/itplr-kosit/xrechnung-testsuite)