Getting a Peppol ID in Germany: do you need one?
In short: German law prescribes no particular channel for invoices between businesses; email is enough [1]. So you don't strictly need a Peppol ID. It can be useful if you send many invoices to public authorities, or if customers abroad (for example in Belgium) want invoices over the Peppol network.
Deadline: from 1 January 2027, businesses with prior-year turnover above €800,000 must issue e-invoices, everyone else from 2028 [1]. Whether that applies to you is explained on e-invoicing mandate 2027.
What is Peppol?
Peppol is an international network for exchanging electronic business documents. Companies are addressed by a Peppol ID and connect through a service provider that runs an access point [2][3]. In Germany the Coordination Office for IT Standards (KoSIT) acts as the national Peppol Authority on behalf of the IT Planning Council [2].
Do I need a Peppol ID?
| Situation | Peppol needed? |
|---|---|
| Invoices to German businesses | no: email, portals and other channels are allowed [1] |
| Receiving e-invoices | no: an email inbox is enough [1] |
| Invoices to federal authorities | one option besides web entry, upload and email [4] |
| Customers in countries with a Peppol mandate (e.g. Belgium) | often yes, depending on the customer |
How to get a Peppol ID
You don't apply to an authority. You register through a Peppol service provider. According to E-Rechnung Bund there are two routes [3]:
- Use an existing service provider (paid). Many accounting and invoicing tools work with such providers and set up the registration for you.
- Join OpenPeppol yourself and run your own access point (paid), which only makes sense for large volumes or software vendors.
When choosing, check whether the provider can also receive for you and whether you can move your registration if you switch.
Which identifier becomes your Peppol ID?
- 9930 + VAT ID (e.g. 9930:DE123456789) or 0088 + GLN for senders to federal authorities [3].
- 0204 + Leitweg-ID for public buyers: the administration uses the Leitweg-ID as its Peppol ID [2][3]. You find your buyer's Leitweg-ID in the contract documents or by asking them [3]. Between businesses you don't need a Leitweg-ID [1].
- GEBA (German Electronic Business Address): a new address scheme based on the business identification number (W-IdNr.). It is listed in the Peppol code list as scheme 0246 [6], and its use is voluntary [5].
Invoicing the federal government via Peppol
The federal administration receives e-invoices centrally through OZG-RE, which offers web entry, upload, email and Peppol [4]. Registration on OZG-RE is free and currently required for all channels [3]. Over Peppol you address the authority with 0204 plus its Leitweg-ID [3].
Check whether a company is reachable
Our Peppol lookup shows whether a VAT ID or Leitweg-ID is registered on the Peppol network and through which provider. Only the identifier you enter is queried.
Next: software comparison · receiving e-invoices
"Peppol" is used here only as a descriptive term; we are not affiliated with OpenPeppol. Not legal or tax advice. Every fact is sourced and was checked on 6 October 2026.
Sources
- BMF: FAQ on mandatory e-invoicing (status March 2026, German) (checked on )
- KoSIT: Peppol in Germany (checked on )
- E-Rechnung Bund: the Peppol channel (checked on )
- E-Rechnung Bund: OZG-RE and transmission channels (checked on )
- KoSIT: GEBA – German Electronic Business Address (checked on )
- OpenPeppol: Peppol code lists, participant identifier schemes v9.7 (0246) (checked on )
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