BR-DE-1 Payment instructions missing

The XRechnung does not say how to pay. The “payment instructions” group (BG-16) with the payment method and usually the IBAN is missing, so the recipient does not know where to transfer the money.

The message in the validation report

[BR-DE-1] Eine Rechnung (INVOICE) muss Angaben zu "PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS" (BG-16) enthalten.

Common causes

• No bank account is set up in the invoicing software.
• The IBAN is only printed in the PDF footer, not in the invoice data.
• For direct debit or cash, no payment method was set at all.

How to fix it

1. Set the payment method: 58 = SEPA credit transfer, 59 = SEPA direct debit, 10 = cash.
2. For credit transfer, add the IBAN (BIC and account name optional).
3. Create the invoice again and check that the IBAN in the data matches the PDF.

What it should look like (XRechnung, CII syntax)

<ram:SpecifiedTradeSettlementPaymentMeans>
  <ram:TypeCode>58</ram:TypeCode>
  <ram:PayeePartyCreditorFinancialAccount>
    <ram:IBANID>DE02120300000000202051</ram:IBANID>
  </ram:PayeePartyCreditorFinancialAccount>
</ram:SpecifiedTradeSettlementPaymentMeans>

Want to read or check an invoice you received? Open XRechnung · Check invoice

More error codes

• BR-DE-15Leitweg-ID / buyer reference missing
• BR-DE-2Seller contact missing (also BR-DE-5, -6, -7)
• BR-DE-21Not an XRechnung (wrong specification identifier)
• BR-DE-23-aCredit transfer without IBAN
• BR-DE-18Skonto (cash discount) in the wrong format
• BR-CO-10Sum of line amounts does not match
• BR-CO-15Gross total is not net plus VAT
• BR-S-08VAT breakdown per rate does not match
• BR-CL-23Invalid unit code (e.g. “Stk”)

Guides to German e-invoicing

• Open an XRechnung and save it as PDF
• ZUGFeRD or XRechnung: which one do I need?
• E-invoices for small businesses under § 19 UStG
• Sending an XRechnung to a German authority

Rule text from the official KoSIT validation rules (XRechnung 3.0.2, EN 16931). General technical explanation, not tax or legal advice.