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# Germany — preparing for e-invoice onboarding

## What Staple needs from you

To receive e-invoices on your behalf in Germany, Staple needs to register each of your German entities as a **Peppol participant**. Peppol is the pan-European network used to deliver structured **XRechnung** invoices between businesses.

Peppol's rules and German regulation require Staple to verify that you genuinely control the **VAT identification number (USt-IdNr)** being registered, before the participant can go live. This verification is performed by Staple's registration partner. The review typically takes **up to 72 hours**.

## What you need to prepare

Before contacting Staple to register your German business, please prepare the following:

### 1. Company information

Have the following details ready:

* **Legal company name**, exactly as registered
* **VAT identification number (USt-IdNr)** — format: `DE` followed by 9 digits (e.g. `DE123456789`)
* **Registered address** — house number, street name, city, postal code, and optionally Bundesland (state)
* **Contact email** — the email address Staple should use for registration communications

### 2. Proof of ownership document

You need a single PDF document that proves your business genuinely controls the VAT identification number you are registering. This document is reviewed by Staple's registration partner before the Peppol participant can go live.

The proof of ownership document must:

* Be on your company's official letterhead
* Clearly show your registered company name
* Clearly show the VAT identification number (USt-IdNr) you are registering
* Be signed by an authorised representative of your company

Acceptable examples include:

* A formal letter on company letterhead, signed by a director or company officer, stating that your company owns the VAT identification number
* A copy of an official tax authority document (e.g. VAT registration certificate) that shows your company name and the VAT number

Save the document as a **PDF** and keep it ready to share with Staple support.

## What happens next

When you are ready to register, contact Staple support at **[support@staple.io](mailto:support@staple.io)** with:

* Your company information (above)
* The proof of ownership PDF

Staple will submit the registration on your behalf. Verification by Staple's registration partner typically takes up to 72 hours. Once verification completes, your Peppol participant ID is issued and your German entity is ready to receive e-invoices.

If the verification team requests any additional information, Staple will contact you using the email address you provided.