Public sector & B2G (Leitweg-ID)
Invoices to public-sector clients: XRechnung with a validated Leitweg-ID, ready for upload to the public-sector portal (ZRE/OZG-RE).
B2G: here the e-invoice has long been everyday business
For federal authorities, the electronic invoice has been mandatory since 27/11/2020 (E-Invoicing Ordinance); above a contract value of €1,000 there is no way around it, and the states have followed suit. Anyone supplying public-sector clients — from a construction company to an IT service provider — needs an XRechnung with the correct Leitweg-ID.
The Leitweg-ID: the postcode of the administration
The Leitweg-ID addresses your invoice to the responsible office. It consists of a coarse address (federal/state/municipal), an optional fine address and a check digit — e.g. 04011000-1234512345-06. Your client provides it; without it (field BT-10) the invoice is rejected automatically. CoolHanX checks the format including the check digit and stores the ID on the partner — stored once, correct every time.
| Channel | For whom | Status in CoolHanX |
|---|---|---|
| ZRE / OZG-RE portals | The federal government and connected states — upload | validated XRechnung XML available for portal upload |
| Email with XRechnung attachment | Municipalities and clients that allow it | available |
| De-Mail / other | Individual cases | on request |
How to become B2G-ready — today
- Collect Leitweg-IDsask each public-sector customer once and store it on the partner — the format is checked immediately.
- Clarify the electronic addressportal (ZRE/OZG-RE) or email? The client’s invoicing office will tell you; add a note to the partner.
- Test your first XRechnungto yourself or via the free checker — this way you see the result before the authority does.
- Download & upload the XMLyou upload the validated XRechnung XML in the relevant portal — done.
An honest note on the Peppol network
CoolHanX does not offer a Peppol transmission network. For B2G that isn’t needed either: the standard channel to the federal government and the states is uploading the validated XRechnung XML in the respective portal (ZRE/OZG-RE) or delivery by email. These are precisely the channels CoolHanX supports — without an additional network-operator contract.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get my client’s Leitweg-ID?
From the client itself — usually in the order or the supplier documents. CoolHanX then checks the format and check digit.
How does the invoice reach the authority?
You upload the already validated XRechnung XML generated by CoolHanX in the portal (ZRE/OZG-RE), or you send it by email where permitted.
What is the difference between ZRE and OZG-RE?
Both are federal platforms: ZRE for the direct federal administration, OZG-RE for the indirect federal administration and connected states — your client will name the right one.
Does CoolHanX use Peppol?
No. For B2G, portal upload and email are sufficient; a Peppol access point is not part of the offering.
Can I check in advance whether the XRechnung is correct?
Yes — with the free checker and the full validation in your account, including the Leitweg-ID check digit.
What has applied since when in the public sector (B2G)
The federal government has required the electronic invoice to its authorities since 27 November 2020 (E-Invoicing Ordinance, E-RechV) — generally mandatory above a contract value of €1,000. The states have followed suit with their own ordinances and deadlines. For suppliers to the public sector, the XRechnung with the correct Leitweg-ID has therefore long been everyday business; anyone who does not deliver it risks automatic rejection and delayed payment.
Structure of the Leitweg-ID in detail
The Leitweg-ID (BT-10) follows a fixed structure: a coarse address (federal/state/municipal), an optional fine address and a check digit, separated by hyphens — e.g. 04011000-1234512345-06. The check digit allows typos to be spotted immediately. CoolHanX validates the structure and check digit when storing on the partner, so a transposed digit does not first surface at portal upload.
| Channel | Description | In practice with CoolHanX |
|---|---|---|
| ZRE | Central invoice intake platform of the federal government (direct federal administration) | download the validated XML and upload it |
| OZG-RE | Online Access Act-compliant platform (indirect administration, connected states) | like ZRE — the client names the right platform |
| where the authority allows it | send the XRechnung as an attachment |
An honest distinction: no Peppol network needed
For delivery to the federal government and the states, portal upload and email are sufficient. CoolHanX deliberately does not operate a Peppol access point and does not promise one either — this spares you an additional network-operator contract and fully maps the B2G channel that is standard in Germany.
Related topics
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