Freelancing in Germany can be tough — between finding clients, doing the work, and learning the language, you also have to face the German tax system. 😅 And as if understanding when and how to file your taxes wasn’t enough, Germany gives you up to three different tax numbers. Here’s how to make sense of them 👇
Here is how to read/understand them:
The Persönliche identifikationsnummer is your personal tax number. You use this number for your yearly income tax (as a tax payer in Germany).
The Steuernummer is your business tax number. You use it on your sales invoices.
The VAT-ID (DExxxx) is your European-format business tax number. You need to use it on your sales invoices when selling services to companies located in other European countries, or when purchasing from European suppliers if you are subject to VAT.
🪪 Personal Tax number (Persönliche Identifikationsnummer)
This 11-digit number is your personal ID as a taxpayer in Germany.
You’ll need it when filing your yearly income tax return.
📬 Where to find it:
You should have received a letter from the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) with your tax ID when you registered in Germany.
You’ll also find it on your income tax assessments or payslips.
💡 Lost it?
No stress — you can easily request it again through the online form on the BZSt website (this is the website of the national tax office).
💼 Business tax number (Steuernummer)
This is your business tax number — the one you use on your sales invoices as a self-employed person.
You’ll receive it by mail once you register your business with the Finanzamt (local tax office).
🧾 What to know:
It has 10 or 11 digits, for example:
079/123/12347.The number format depends on your Bundesland (federal state).
If you move to another state (e.g. from Hamburg to Berlin), you’ll get a new Steuernummer, since a different tax office will handle your file.
👉 Tip: You can find your responsible tax office using the search function on the BZSt website.
🌍 VAT-ID number (Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer)
This optional number is your European-format business tax ID — it starts with DE, like DE123456789.
💶 When you need it:
You sell services to clients in other EU countries.
You buy goods or services from European suppliers and are subject to VAT.
⚠️ If you’re a Kleinunternehmer (small business under the VAT threshold), it’s best not to use a VAT-ID.
✅ Quick Overview
📊 Type | 🇩🇪 German Name | 💡 Use It For | 🔢 Format |
🪪 Personal Tax Number | Persönliche Identifikationsnummer | Yearly income tax return | 11 digits |
💼 Business Tax Number | Steuernummer | Your sales invoices | 10–11 digits (e.g. 079/123/12347) |
🌍 VAT-ID | Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer | EU-wide sales & purchases | DE + 9 digits |
💡 Accountable Tip:
With our tool, you can easily find where each tax number goes on your invoices — no confusion, no stress. 💪