The Procurement Office of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (Beschaffungsamt des BMI – BeschA) has successfully completed the consolidation of the two federal invoice receipt platforms as of 19 September 2025.
With the migration of the entire direct federal administration (unmittelbare Bundesverwaltung, uBV) to the Online Access Act-compliant Invoice Submission Portal (OZG-RE) and the simultaneous deactivation of the Central Invoice Submission Portal (ZRE), a key milestone in the simplification and streamlining of public procurement has been achieved. Focusing on one platform significantly facilitates the submission of electronic invoices for businesses and the processing of those invoices for federal authorities and institutions.
This consolidation is more than just a technical migration—it lays the foundation for a future-proof public procurement system. By using the OZG-RE as the central portal, invoice processing is sustainably simplified for all users. The benefits include increased efficiency, fully digital processes, and noticeable cost savings.
Simplification and efficiency for all invoice submitters to Federal and State Institutions
The transition supports the modernisation of public administration in Germany. Through the consolidation on the OZG-RE as a sustainable platform and the use of the EU-compliant XRechnung standard, the Federal Government is establishing the prerequisites for fully digital invoice processing. This is an important step toward interoperable and efficient e-government in Germany and across Europe.
By centralising invoice submission via one platform, suppliers to the federal administration avoid duplicate registrations and technical redundancies. Additionally, access via the ELSTER company account provides a convenient and easy method for submitting invoices. For companies, the administrative burden is significantly reduced: around 290,000 e-invoices per month can now be submitted exclusively via the OZG-RE to the entire federal administration, more than 170 entities of the indirect federal administration, and currently five federal states.
Implementation: From Two Platforms to a Unified Solution
Previously, the direct and indirect federal administration were connected to two separate platforms: the direct federal administration was obligated to use the ZRE, operated by the ITZBund. The OZG-RE, operated by the Bundesdruckerei, was an optional service for the indirect federal administration, funding recipients, and cooperating federal states. Both platforms offered similar functionalities, so their consolidation unlocks efficiency potential, reduces maintenance effort, and establishes a unified basis for invoice processing. Now, a single platform is available for all federal invoice submissions—a major step towards simplification and greater efficiency. Future developments (e.g., for outgoing invoices or VAT data reporting) only need to be implemented once.
The technical and communication rollout for migrating the direct federal administration was completed within nine months, conducted in two waves. As of 19 September 2025, all authorities of the uBV are now connected to the OZG-RE. To minimise potential friction, suppliers and IT service providers were engaged early through tailored communication measures, newsletters, and training opportunities.
A Collective Achievement
Thanks to their proactive participation in the transition to the OZG-RE, the authorities of the direct federal administration and all invoice-submitting suppliers have made a decisive contribution to the success of this significant digitisation initiative.
It is recognised that the transition—particularly given limited staffing resources—was a substantial effort for many authorities. This makes the demonstrated commitment and solution-oriented collaboration even more appreciated. Special thanks go to the pilot authorities whose feedback contributed significantly to ensuring a smooth process.
