🇩🇪Germany E-Invoice Errors
German XRechnung and ZUGFeRD validation errors (BR-DE-xx codes) for mandatory B2G and upcoming B2B e-invoicing compliance.
86 errors documented
DE-R-022PEPPOL_BIScountryCONFIRMDuplicate attachment filename. All attached documents in German invoices must have unique filenames (case-insensitive) i
Duplicate attachment filename. All attached documents in German invoices must have unique filenames (case-insensitive) in element BT-125.
DE-R-023-2PEPPOL_BIScountryCONFIRMConflicting payment information. When payment code 30 or 58 (credit transfer) is used, card payment (BG-18) and direct d
Conflicting payment information. When payment code 30 or 58 (credit transfer) is used, card payment (BG-18) and direct debit (BG-19) groups must not be provided.
DE-R-024-2PEPPOL_BIScountryCONFIRMConflicting payment information. When payment code 48, 54, or 55 (payment card) is used, credit transfer (BG-17) and dir
Conflicting payment information. When payment code 48, 54, or 55 (payment card) is used, credit transfer (BG-17) and direct debit (BG-19) groups must not be provided.
DE-R-025-1PEPPOL_BIScountryCONFIRMIf "Payment means type code" (BT-81) contains a code for direct debit (59), "DIRECT DEBIT" (BG-19) shall be provided.
Direct debit details missing. When payment code 59 (direct debit) is used, the Direct Debit group (BG-19) with mandate information must be provided.
DE-R-025-2PEPPOL_BIScountryCONFIRMIf "Payment means type code" (BT-81) contains a code for direct debit (59), BG-17 and BG-18 shall not be provided.
Conflicting payment information. When payment code 59 (direct debit) is used, credit transfer (BG-17) and card payment (BG-18) groups must not be provided.
DE-R-026PEPPOL_BIScountryCONFIRMPreceding invoice reference missing. Corrected invoices (type code 384) should reference the original invoice being corr
Preceding invoice reference missing. Corrected invoices (type code 384) should reference the original invoice being corrected in group BG-3.
DE-R-027PEPPOL_BIScountryCONFIRMInvalid phone number format. The seller contact telephone number (BT-42) must contain at least 3 digits to be valid.
Invalid phone number format. The seller contact telephone number (BT-42) must contain at least 3 digits to be valid.
DE-R-028PEPPOL_BIScountryCONFIRMInvalid email format. The seller contact email (BT-43) must contain exactly one @ sign with at least two characters on e
Invalid email format. The seller contact email (BT-43) must contain exactly one @ sign with at least two characters on each side, and no dots at start or end.
BR-DE-07xrechnungcountryINPUTGerman postal code format
German postal codes should be 5 digits.
BR-DE-13xrechnungcountryINPUTDelivery date or period required
XRechnung requires delivery date or period.
BR-DE-25xrechnungcountryBLOCKEDXRechnung invoice type restriction
XRechnung restricts allowed invoice type codes.
BR-DE-29xrechnungcountryINPUTSEPA direct debit mandate required
SEPA direct debit requires mandate reference.
BR-DE-20XRechnung (Germany)countryBLOCKEDThe Debited Account (BT-91) should contain a valid IBAN for SEPA direct...
The Debited Account (BT-91) should contain a valid IBAN for SEPA direct debit. The current value doesn't match IBAN format.
BR-DE-04xrechnungcountryBLOCKEDInvalid XRechnung CustomizationID
XRechnung invoices must use the correct specification identifier for the version.
BR-DE-06xrechnungcountryINPUTGerman invoice should include payment terms
German invoices should specify payment terms including any early payment discount (Skonto).
BR-DEX-03XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXEine Sub Invoice Line (BG-DEX-01) muss genau eine "SUB INVOICE LINE VAT...
Missing sub-line VAT info. Each Sub Invoice Line (BG-DEX-01) must contain exactly one VAT information group (BG-DEX-06).
BR-DEX-11XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXMissing third party payment amount. When using third party payment group...
Missing third party payment amount. When using third party payment group (BG-DEX-09), the amount (BT-DEX-002) is required.
DE-R-004EN 16931businessINPUTThe element "Seller post code" (BT-38) shall be provided.
Seller postal code is missing. German invoices must include the seller's postal code (BT-38).
DE-R-008EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXThe element "Buyer city" (BT-52) shall be provided.
Buyer city is missing. German invoices must include the buyer's city in the address (BT-52).
DE-R-001EN 16931businessINPUTPayment instructions missing
German invoices must include payment instructions — how the buyer should pay. This typically means a bank account (IBAN) and payment method code (e.g. SEPA Credit Transfer).
DE-R-002EN 16931businessINPUTSeller contact information missing
German invoices must include contact information for the seller — a contact person name, telephone number, and email address. This is required by German e-invoicing regulations.
DE-R-003EN 16931businessINPUTThe element "Seller city" (BT-37) shall be provided.
Seller city is missing. German invoices must include the seller's city in the address (BT-37).
DE-R-005EN 16931businessINPUTSeller contact name required (XRechnung)
German XRechnung invoices must include a contact person name (BT-41) in the Seller Contact group (BG-6).
DE-R-006EN 16931businessINPUTSeller contact telephone required (XRechnung)
German XRechnung invoices must include a telephone number (BT-42) for the seller contact person in the Seller Contact group (BG-6).
DE-R-007EN 16931businessINPUTSeller contact email required (XRechnung)
German XRechnung invoices must include an email address (BT-43) for the seller contact person in the Seller Contact group (BG-6).
DE-R-010EN 16931businessINPUTThe element "Deliver to city" (BT-77) shall be provided if the group...
Delivery city is missing. When a delivery address is provided in German invoices, the delivery city (BT-77) is required.
DE-R-011EN 16931businessINPUTThe element "Deliver to post code" (BT-78) shall be provided if the group...
Delivery postal code is missing. When a delivery address is provided in German invoices, the delivery postal code (BT-78) is required.
DE-R-014EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXThe element "VAT category rate" (BT-119) shall be provided.
The element VAT category rate (BT-119) shall be provided.. This applies to the `cbc:Percent` element in the invoice XML.
DE-R-015EN 16931businessINPUTBuyer reference required (German)
German invoices must include a Buyer reference (BT-10). For B2G (Business-to-Government) invoices, this is typically the Leitweg-ID routing number.
DE-R-016EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXVAT identifier is missing. German invoices using VAT codes S, Z, E, AE, K,...
VAT identifier is missing. German invoices using VAT codes S, Z, E, AE, K, G, L, or M must include either Seller VAT ID (BT-31), Tax registration ID (BT-32), or Tax Representative.
DE-R-017EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXInvalid invoice type code. German invoices only allow specific type codes:...
Invalid invoice type code. German invoices only allow specific type codes: 326 (partial), 380 (commercial), 384 (corrected), 389 (self-billed), 381 (credit note), 875-877 (construction).
DE-R-019EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXInvalid IBAN format. When payment means code 58 (SEPA credit transfer) is...
Invalid IBAN format. When payment means code 58 (SEPA credit transfer) is used, the payment account (BT-84) must contain a valid IBAN.
DE-R-020EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXDebited account identifier (BT-91) should contain a valid IBAN if code 59...
Invalid debit IBAN format. When payment means code 59 (SEPA direct debit) is used, the debited account (BT-91) must contain a valid IBAN.
DE-R-023-1EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXCredit transfer details missing. When payment code 30 or 58 (credit...
Credit transfer details missing. When payment code 30 or 58 (credit transfer) is used, the Credit Transfer group (BG-17) with bank account details must be provided.
DE-R-024-1EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXPayment card details missing. When payment code 48, 54, or 55 (payment card)...
Payment card details missing. When payment code 48, 54, or 55 (payment card) is used, the Payment Card Information group (BG-18) must be provided.
DE-R-031EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXIf the group "DIRECT DEBIT" (BG-19) is delivered, the element "Debited...
Debited account missing. When direct debit (BG-19) is used, the debited account identifier (BT-91) containing the buyer's IBAN is required.
DE-R-018PEPPOL_BIScountryCONFIRMInvalid Skonto format. Cash discount terms in German invoices must follow the format: #SKONTO#TAGE=N#PROZENT=N.NN# with
Invalid Skonto format. Cash discount terms in German invoices must follow the format: #SKONTO#TAGE=N#PROZENT=N.NN# with optional #BASISBETRAG=N#. Must be uppercase with no extra whitespace.
DE-R-030EN 16931businessAUTO-FIXCreditor identifier missing. When direct debit (BG-19) is used, the bank...
Creditor identifier missing. When direct debit (BG-19) is used, the bank assigned creditor identifier (BT-90) is required for SEPA direct debit.
DE-R-009EN 16931businessINPUTThe element "Buyer post code" (BT-53) shall be provided.
Buyer postal code is missing. German invoices must include the buyer's postal code (BT-53).
BR-DE-01XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTInvalid Leitweg-ID Format
German B2G (Business-to-Government) invoices require a valid Leitweg-ID in the Buyer Reference field (BT-10). The Leitweg-ID is a routing identifier that directs your invoice to the correct government department.
BR-DE-1XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTEine Rechnung (INVOICE) muss Angaben zu "PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS" (BG-16)...
German XRechnung requires Payment Instructions (BG-16). You must specify how the invoice should be paid.
BR-DE-02XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTPayment terms text recommended
German invoices should include payment terms text (Zahlungsbedingungen) for clarity.
BR-DE-2XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTDie Gruppe "SELLER CONTACT" (BG-6) muss übermittelt werden.
German XRechnung requires a Seller Contact section (BG-6). Contact details for the seller must be provided.
BR-DE-05XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTSeller contact email is required for German B2G invoices
XRechnung to German public sector requires valid Leitweg-ID as buyer reference.
BR-DE-3XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTDas Element "Seller city" (BT-37) muss übermittelt werden.
German XRechnung requires Seller City (BT-37). The seller's city must be specified.
BR-DE-4XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTDas Element "Seller post code" (BT-38) muss übermittelt werden.
German XRechnung requires Seller Post Code (BT-38). The seller's postal code must be specified.
BR-DE-CVD-01XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTCVD document type must be specified for vehicle procurement
For invoices involving vehicle procurement under the Clean Vehicle Directive (EU 2019/1161), the document type must indicate CVD applicability. This is required for German public procurement compliance.
BR-DE-5XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTDas Element "Seller contact point" (BT-41) muss übermittelt werden.
German XRechnung requires Seller Contact Point (BT-41). A contact person or department name must be provided.
BR-DE-6XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTDas Element "Seller contact telephone number" (BT-42) muss übermittelt werden.
German XRechnung requires Seller Contact Telephone (BT-42). A phone number for the seller must be provided.
BR-DE-7XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTDas Element "Seller contact email address" (BT-43) muss übermittelt werden.
German XRechnung requires Seller Contact Email (BT-43). An email address for the seller must be provided.
BR-DE-8XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTDas Element "Buyer city" (BT-52) muss übermittelt werden.
German XRechnung requires Buyer City (BT-52). The buyer's city must be specified.
BR-DE-9XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTDas Element "Buyer post code" (BT-53) muss übermittelt werden.
German XRechnung requires Buyer Post Code (BT-53). The buyer's postal code must be specified.
BR-DE-10XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTXRechnung requires Deliver to city (BT-77) when Deliver to address (BG-15)...
Early payment discounts should follow XRechnung Skonto format.
BR-DE-11XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTThe Delivery Address (BG-15) is missing the Post Code (BT-78). When...
The Delivery Address (BG-15) is missing the Post Code (BT-78). When including a delivery address in XRechnung, the postal code is mandatory.
BR-DE-16XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTSeller VAT ID or tax number required
Seller must have VAT ID or tax registration number.
BR-DE-17XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXInvalid XRechnung Invoice Type Code
XRechnung only allows specific Invoice Type Codes: 326 (partial), 380 (commercial), 381 (credit note), 384 (corrected), 389 (self-billed), 875-877 (construction invoices).
BR-DE-18XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXInvalid Skonto (Cash Discount) Format
XRechnung Skonto (early payment discount) lines in PaymentTerms must follow the required format: #SKONTO#TAGE=n#PROZENT=n.nn#BASISBETRAG=n.nn#
BR-DE-21XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXInvalid XRechnung Specification Identifier
The Specification Identifier (BT-24 CustomizationID) must follow the XRechnung URN format: urn:cen.eu:en16931:2017#compliant#urn:xeinkauf.de:kosit:xrechnung_X.X
BR-DE-15XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXBuyer reference (Leitweg-ID) mandatory
BuyerReference (BT-10) is mandatory in XRechnung.
BR-DE-22XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXDuplicate Attachment Filenames
XRechnung requires all attachment filenames to be unique. Multiple EmbeddedDocumentBinaryObject elements have the same filename attribute.
BR-DE-23-aXRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXPayment code 30 or 58 (bank transfer) requires Credit Transfer details...
Payment code 30 or 58 (bank transfer) requires Credit Transfer details (BG-17). You specified bank transfer but didn't include the bank account.
BR-DE-CVD-02XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTCVD item classification required for vehicle line items
Line items representing vehicles subject to the Clean Vehicle Directive (EU 2019/1161) must include CVD item classification. This is required for German public procurement compliance.
BR-DE-23-bXRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXPayment code 30 or 58 (bank transfer) must not include Card Payment (BG-18)...
Payment code 30 or 58 (bank transfer) must not include Card Payment (BG-18) or Direct Debit (BG-19) sections. Only Credit Transfer should be present.
BR-DE-24-aXRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXPayment code 48, 54, or 55 (card payment) requires Card Payment details...
Payment code 48, 54, or 55 (card payment) requires Card Payment details (BG-18). You specified card payment but didn't include card information.
BR-DE-24-bXRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXPayment code 48, 54, or 55 (card payment) must not include Credit Transfer...
Payment code 48, 54, or 55 (card payment) must not include Credit Transfer (BG-17) or Direct Debit (BG-19) sections.
BR-DE-25-aXRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTWhen payment is by direct debit (SEPA), the mandate reference identifier is...
When payment is by direct debit (SEPA), the mandate reference identifier is required. This is the unique reference number that identifies the mandate agreement between the buyer and seller for automatic payment collection.
BR-DE-25-bXRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXPayment code 59 (direct debit) must not include Credit Transfer (BG-17) or...
Payment code 59 (direct debit) must not include Credit Transfer (BG-17) or Card Payment (BG-18) sections. Only Direct Debit Mandate (BG-19) should be present for SEPA direct debit payments.
BR-DE-26XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTA credit note or corrective invoice must reference the original invoice it...
A credit note or corrective invoice must reference the original invoice it is correcting. The preceding invoice reference field is required when the invoice type indicates a correction. This creates the audit trail needed for proper accounting.
BR-DE-03peppol-bis-3countryINPUTGerman VAT ID required
German B2B invoices must include the USt-IdNr (VAT identification number) in DE + 9 digits format.
BR-DE-27XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXSeller Contact Telephone Must Contain At Least Three Digits
Contact telephone numbers must follow proper format guidelines. German XRechnung requires telephone numbers to be properly formatted for machine processing, typically with country code and without invalid characters.
BR-DE-CVD-06-bXRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXMissing CVD Classification for Clean Vehicle Attribute
When an invoice line has an AdditionalItemProperty with Name="cva" (clean vehicle attribute), it must also have exactly one CommodityClassification with ItemClassificationCode[@listID="CVD"] containing the vehicle category. This is required for German XRechnung invoices under the Clean Vehicle Directive.
BR-DE-CVD-05XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTWhen CVD standard is referenced in Item Attributes, the attribute values...
Your invoice includes Clean Vehicle Directive (CVD) data, but the vehicle category is not valid. German public procurement invoices for vehicles must specify the correct EU vehicle category (e.g. M1 for passenger cars, N1 for light commercial vehicles).
BR-DE-CVD-06-aXRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTVehicle classification code missing or inconsistent
Your invoice includes Clean Vehicle Directive (CVD) data, but the item classification code is either missing or does not match the vehicle category. The classification code must match the vehicle category specified in the CVD properties.
BR-DE-28XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXSeller Contact Email Must Have Valid Format
Contact email addresses must be valid email format. The email must contain proper structure with username, @ symbol, and domain. Invalid email addresses fail schema validation.
BR-DE-TMP-32XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTAn invoice should specify when goods were delivered or services performed....
An invoice should specify when goods were delivered or services performed. This can be done via the actual delivery date field, an invoicing period at document level, or invoice line periods on each line item. At least one of these date specifications should be present.
BR-DE-14XRechnung (Germany)countryBLOCKEDVAT rate always required in XRechnung
VAT rate must always be specified in XRechnung.
BR-DE-19XRechnung (Germany)countryBLOCKEDGerman IBAN format required
German bank account should be valid IBAN.
BR-DE-30XRechnung (Germany)countryBLOCKEDSEPA creditor identifier required
SEPA direct debit requires creditor identifier.
BR-DE-31XRechnung (Germany)countryBLOCKEDSEPA debtor account required
SEPA direct debit requires debtor IBAN.
BR-DEX-09XRechnung (Germany)countryBLOCKEDThird party payment calculation error. Amount due must equal: Total with VAT...
Third party payment calculation error. Amount due must equal: Total with VAT - Paid amount + Rounding + Sum of third party payments.
BR-DEX-10XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXMissing third party payment type. When using third party payment group...
Missing third party payment type. When using third party payment group (BG-DEX-09), the payment type (BT-DEX-001) is required.
BR-DEX-12XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXMissing third party payment description. When using third party payment...
Missing third party payment description. When using third party payment group (BG-DEX-09), a description (BT-DEX-003) is required.
BR-DEX-13XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXDie maximale Anzahl zulässiger Nachkommastellen für das Element "Third party...
Too many decimals in third party amount. Third party payment amount (BT-DEX-002) can have at most 2 decimal places.
BR-DEX-14XRechnung (Germany)countryAUTO-FIXDie Währungsangabe von "Third party payment amount" BT-DEX-002 muss BT-5...
Third party payment currency mismatch. The currency of third party payment amount must match the invoice currency (BT-5).
BR-DE-CVD-03XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTCVD classification required when clean vehicle attribute present
When an invoice contains a clean vehicle attribute (cva), the invoice must include a CVD (Clean Vehicle Directive) classification. This is required for German public procurement of vehicles under EU Directive 2019/1161.
BR-DE-CVD-04XRechnung (Germany)countryINPUTCVD classification code must be valid
The CVD (Clean Vehicle Directive) classification code must use a valid value from the allowed code list. This applies to German public procurement of vehicles under EU Directive 2019/1161.
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