E-Invoicing for State Authorities in Germany

E-invoicing procedures are not the same in every state in Germany. It’s quite ironic that the e-invoicing standards introduced in the E.U (and Germany, by extension) have created such confusion. After all, the new e-invoicing standards were supposed to make invoicing simpler. Despite e-invoicing rules in German states seeming a bit messy, it seems that the long-term advantages will outweigh the short-term disadvantages.

Here is a simple guide so that each specific State’s e-invoicing requirements in Germany are clear.

Direct Federal Administration

Transmission channels:

Upload: Zentraler Rechnungseingang des Bundes (ZRE)
Peppol

Links:

Indirect Federal Administration

Transmission channels:

Upload: Rechnungseingangsplattform (OZG-RE)
Peppol

Links:

FAQ

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Rechnungsversand an Bund und Länder

Baden-Wuerttemberg

Baden-Wuerttemberg

Transmission channels:

Summary:

Since 1 January 2022, companies have been obliged to issue electronic invoices if they provide services for the public administration at state level.
You can create XRechnung invoices via Invoice-Portal.de and send them directly from the portal to municipalities and authorities in Baden-Wuerttemberg via Peppol or email!

more information

Bavaria

Bavaria

Transmission channels:

Upload: Zentraler Rechnungseingang des Landes

Summary:

For municipalities, associations of municipalities, district offices and other legal persons under public law subject to the supervision of the Free State of Bavaria, these obligations shall initially apply to the upper threshold range from 18.4.2020 and, with a transitional period of two years from 18.4.2022, also to the lower threshold range (from € 1,000).

more information

Berlin

Berlin

Transmission channels:

Peppol via Invoice-Portal.de
Upload: Rechnungseingangsplattform (OZG-RE)

Summary:

Since 16.04.2020, public contracting authorities in the state of Berlin have been obliged to be able to receive and process electronic invoices.

more information

Brandenburg

Brandenburg

Transmission channels:

Upload: Rechnungseingangsplattform (OZG-RE)
Peppol

Summary:

In the state of Brandenburg, there is no obligation for invoicing parties to issue e-invoices.
Since 16 April 2020, public contracting authorities in the state of Brandenburg have been obliged to be able to receive and process electronic invoices.
Via Invoice-Portal.de you can create the XRechnung and send it directly from the portal via Peppol or e-mail to municipalities and authorities in Berlin!

more information

Bremen

Bremen

Transmission channels:

Upload: Bremer E-Rechnungsportal (zERIKA)
PEPPOL (Das vorrangige Verfahren)

Summary:

Contract partners must issue e-invoices and e-invoice supporting documents for deliveries to contracting authorities.
Contracting authorities must make arrangements for the acceptance of e-invoices.

more information

Hamburg

Hamburg

Transfer channels:

Peppol via Invoice-Portal.de
E-mail to rechnung@xrechnung.hamburg.de (registration required)
Upload
The preferred method for dispatch is via Webservice/Peppol

Summary:

Since 1 January 2022, all contractual partners of public contracting authorities are obliged to send invoices electronically in the new XRechnung standard format. This generally applies from a net amount of 1,000 euros for goods and services and 3,000 euros for construction services.

more information

Hessen

Hessen

Transmission channels:

Email: e-rechnung@ekrw.hessen.de

Summary

From 18 April 2024, suppliers to contracting authorities in Hesse will only be required to issue e-invoices. This has already been possible since 18 April 2020, but will now be mandatory.

more information

Mecklenburg Western Pomerania

Mecklenburg Western Pomerania

Transmission channels:

Upload: Rechnungseingangsplattform (OZG-RE)
Peppol

Summary:

Since 27 November 2020, all invoices to public bodies in Germany must be submitted in electronic form (e-invoices) via the so-called Central Invoice Receipt Portal (ZRE).

more information

Lower Saxony

Lower Saxony

Transmission channels:

Upload: NAVO
E-Mail: ePoststelle,
eRechnung@niedersachsen.de
Peppol

Summary:

In Lower Saxony, e-invoicing is also mandatory for invoices to public authorities. The e-invoice must be created in XML format (e.g. XRechnung) and submitted via the central invoice receipt portal (ZRE). This regulation also came into force in Lower Saxony on 27 November 2020.

more information

Northrhine-Westphalia

Northrhine-Westphalia

Transmission channels:

Upload: E-Rechnungsportal
E-Mail: eingang@erechnung.nrw

Summary:

In North Rhine-Westphalia, e-invoices must also be created in XML format (e.g. XRechnung) and submitted via the central invoice receipt portal (ZRE) when invoices are sent to public bodies. This obligation has applied to all contracting authorities in Germany, including North Rhine-Westphalia, since 27 November 2020.

more information

Rhineland Palatinate

Rhineland Palatinate

Transmission channels:

Upload: E-Rechnungseingang
E-Mail: ZRE–RLP@poststelle.rlp.de

Zusammenfassung:

In Rhineland-Palatinate, e-invoices must also be created in XML format (e.g. XRechnung) and submitted via the central invoice receipt portal (ZRE) if they are sent to public authorities. The e-invoice obligation has also applied in Rhineland-Palatinate since 27 November 2020 for invoices to public clients.

more information

Saarland

Saarland

Transmission channels:

Upload: E-Rechnungseingang
E-Mail: ZRE–RLP@poststelle.rlp.de

Summary:

In Saarland, e-invoices must also be created in XML format (e.g. XRechnung) and submitted via the central invoice receipt portal (ZRE) if they are addressed to public bodies. Since 27 November 2020, this obligation has also applied in Saarland, as in all other German federal states, for invoices to public clients.

more information

Saxony

Saxony

Transmission channels:

Upload:Rechnungseingangsplattform (OZG-RE)
PEPPOL

Summary:

In Saxony e-invoices must also be created in XML format (e.g. XRechnung) and submitted via the central invoice receipt portal (ZRE) if they are addressed to public bodies. Since 27 November 2020, this obligation has also applied in Saxony, as in all other German federal states, for invoices to public clients.

more information

Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt

Transmission channels:

Upload: E-Rechnungsportal
E-Mail:land@erechnung.sachsen-anhalt.de, kommunen@erechnung.sachsen-anhalt.de
PEPPOL: 15-Land-56, 15-Kommunen-42

Summary:

In Saxony-Anhalt e-invoices must also be created in XML format (e.g. XRechnung) and submitted via the central invoice receipt portal (ZRE) if they are addressed to public bodies. Since 27 November 2020, this obligation has also applied in Saxony-Anhalt, as in all other German federal states, for invoices to public clients.

more information

Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein

Transmission channel:

Upload: E-Rechnungsportal

Summary:

In Schleswig-Holstein e-invoices must also be created in XML format (e.g. XRechnung) and submitted via the central invoice receipt portal (ZRE) if they are addressed to public bodies. Since 27 November 2020, this obligation has also applied in Schleswig-Holstein, as in all other German federal states, for invoices to public clients.

more information

Thuringia

Thuringia

Transmission channels:

Upload: Zentrales Rechnungseingangsportal (OZG-RE)
PEPPOL

Summary:

In Thuringia, e-invoices must also be created in XML format (e.g. XRechnung) and submitted via the central invoice receipt portal (ZRE) if they are addressed to public bodies. Since 27 November 2020, this obligation has also applied in Thuringia, as in all other German federal states, for invoices to public clients.

more information

Last update: 19.06.2022

If you are looking for an e-invoicing solution to create, send and receive electronic invoices consider the Invoice-Portal.

You can easily invoice German State Authorities, the German Federal government, the Deutsche Bahn, and any company — in Germany or internationally. You can even send your invoices via email or Peppol. All of this and more from within a single, simple software.

With Invoice-Portal — a certified Peppol Access Point — you can send invoices to:

Central invoice receipt platform of the federal government (ZRE)
OZG-compliant invoice receipt platform (OZG-RE): Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia
Bremen e-billing portal (zERIKA)
And through the e-mail feature, you can send and receive invoices to/through and from:
Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland

If you have any questions about the Invoice Portal, please do not hesitate to contact us

Phone: +49 561-56014568
Email: info@invoice-portal.de