GEBA – Publication of the Specification for Germany’s Electronic Business Address
📅 September 12, 2025 🏢 KoSIT Germany ⏱ 5 min read
Inhaltsverzeichnis
At the Peppol Network Meeting on 13 November 2025, the Coordination Office for IT Standards (KoSIT) presented the German Electronic Business Address (GEBA). Version 1.0 of the official specification had already been published on 12 September 2025. GEBA creates a standardised addressing mechanism for electronic business communication in Germany and can be used directly as a Peppol Participant ID.
What is GEBA?
GEBA is a German standard for the unique identification of organisations in electronic data exchange. It is based on the Business Identification Number (W-IdNr.), which has been issued by the Federal Central Tax Office since November 2024. The use of GEBA is voluntary: there is no obligation to switch to GEBA, and existing Peppol Participant IDs such as the VAT ID, the Leitweg-ID for B2G communication, the Global Location Number (GLN), and other ISO-6523 identifiers remain valid.
Structure of the GEBA address
The electronic business address consists of up to three components:
1. Components of the GEBA address
A complete GEBA address consists of up to three components:
- VAT identification number (mandatory): a nine-digit number with the prefix "DE". If a VAT identification number exists, the VAT identification number corresponds to this number. Example: DE123456789.
- Distinguishing feature (optional): a five-digit number sequence beginning with 0 (-00001) assigned by the Federal Central Tax Office. This allows different business locations to be distinguished.
- Sub-addressing (optional): a freely definable code consisting of one to eight alphanumeric characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9), for example -RECH0001 or -EINKAUF. It serves for routing to departments, processes, or systems.
2. Determine W-IdNr.
The W-IdNr. forms the core of the GEBA. It is determined as follows:
- Companies with a VAT ID: The W-IdNr. is identical to the existing VAT ID; no separate notification will be sent.
- Companies without a VAT ID: The Federal Central Tax Office assigns the W-IdNr. automatically and notifies the company. No application is required.
- Since December 3, 2024, the W-IdNr. can also be retrieved via the ELSTER portal.
Application in the Peppol network and implementation in practice
Step 1: Determine the W-IdNr.
If a VAT ID exists: W-IdNr. = VAT ID
Without a VAT ID: Retrieve via the ELSTER portal
Step 2: Analyse your needs
Check:
- Do you have multiple locations with their own invoice processing?
- Should different departments be addressed directly?
- Would automatic routing be helpful?
Step 3: Coordinate with your Access Point Provider
Your Peppol Access Point Provider will handle:
- Registration of the GEBA-based Participant ID
- Configuration in the Service Metadata Publisher (SMP)
- Entry in the Peppol Directory (optional)
- Routing configuration
Step 4: Inform your business partners
After successful setup:
- Share the GEBA format
- Explain its intended use
- Continue to accept the old Peppol ID (transition phase)
Important: The switch can be carried out gradually. Parallel operation of different Participant IDs is possible.
Target groups: Who benefits from GEBA?
1. Who benefits
GEBA offers advantages for organisations with complex or decentralised structures. Typical use cases include:
- Companies with multiple locations: Each place of business receives its own distinguishing feature; invoices are automatically assigned to the correct site and no longer need to be sorted manually.
- Logistics companies: For example, the headquarters in Hamburg uses the GEBA
DE123456789-00001, the branch in BremenDE123456789-00002and the warehouse in LübeckDE123456789-00003. - Complex organisational structures: Sub-addressing allows departments and processes to be addressed directly; ERP integration and routing become simpler.
- Retail or trading companies with many departments: Example codes include
DE123456789-00001-EINKfor Purchasing,DE123456789-00001-VERTfor Sales andDE123456789-00001-FIBUfor Accounting.
2. Who benefits less
For companies with only one location and central invoice processing, GEBA does not provide additional added value. In these cases, the existing Peppol Participant ID (e.g. the VAT ID) is fully sufficient.
Timetable and current situation
The allocation of W-IdNr. by the Federal Central Tax Office began in November 2024. On September 12, 2025, KoSIT published the GEBA specification version 1.0. Currently, GEBA is being registered as an ICD code with DIN and in the ISO 6523 register, as well as being included in the Peppol code lists. KoSIT is dependent on external bodies for this process. For your planning purposes, you can expect GEBA to be widely available in the first quarter of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to switch my existing Peppol ID to GEBA?
No. GEBA is an additional option. Existing Peppol Participant IDs (VAT ID, GLN, routing ID, etc.) remain fully valid and can continue to be used.
Does GEBA also apply to B2G communication?
The Leitweg-ID remains the established and mandatory format for communication with public-sector contracting authorities. GEBA is primarily designed for B2B scenarios.
Can a company have multiple GEBA addresses?
Yes. The Federal Central Tax Office assigns different distinguishing characteristics to different business locations. In addition, the company can define any number of sub-addresses.
Is GEBA usable internationally?
GEBA is a German standard based on the German W-IdNr. For international business relationships, companies can use other Peppol Participant Identifiers (e.g. GLN) in parallel.
Does using GEBA cost anything?
The W-IdNr. is issued free of charge by the Federal Central Tax Office. Registration of a GEBA-based Participant ID is handled through your Peppol Access Point Provider under the standard contract terms.
Further information
- Official specification: KoSIT – Coordination Office for IT Standards
- Peppol Germany: Peppol Country Profile Germany
- W-IdNr. information: Unternehmensbasisdatenregister
- ELSTER portal: www.elster.de
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