What it means
When the seller and the buyer are both in Germany, the buyer's address must include the post code (BT-53). A field that is empty or holds only spaces counts as missing.
Why it matters
The address is part of identifying who the invoice is for. Without the post code the address is incomplete and the invoice is rejected.
How to fix it
Open the customer's record in your invoicing software and check the post code in their address. Enter it in its own field, separate from the city, then save and create the invoice again. If you pasted the address as one block of text, the post code may be sitting in the street or city field.
The rule as published
Read the rule on the publisher's site
Business terms: BT-53
Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (invoice) | 2026.5 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (credit note) | 2026.5 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether DE-R-009 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- BR-DE-9 Buyer postcode is required
- BR-RO-L0202 Buyer post code must be 20 characters or fewer
- IS-R-005 Domestic Icelandic invoices need the buyer's street and post code
- DE-R-010 A delivery address needs a city between German parties
- DE-R-011 A delivery address needs a post code between German parties
- DE-R-014 Each VAT breakdown entry needs a VAT rate between German parties