๐ Check VAT Number
Select country and enter the VAT number (without country prefix)
Quick examples:
BE ยท 0897290877
DE ยท 111111125
FR ยท 40303265045
NL ยท 004495445B01
PL ยท 5260001818
Checking via VIES databaseโฆ
EU VAT Validation โ Complete Guide
The EU VAT validator checks whether a VAT identification number is currently active in the official VIES database maintained by the European Commission โ the authoritative source for VAT number validation across all 27 EU member states.
Why VAT Validation Matters
- Required for B2B cross-border EU transactions
- Mandatory for reverse charge mechanism
- Essential for EC Sales Lists
- Necessary for OSS / IOSS reporting accuracy
VAT Number Formats by Country
๐ง๐ช
Belgium
BE + 10 digits
BE + 10 digits
๐ฉ๐ช
Germany
DE + 9 digits
DE + 9 digits
๐ซ๐ท
France
FR + 11 chars
FR + 11 chars
๐ณ๐ฑ
Netherlands
NL + 12 chars
NL + 12 chars
๐ต๐ฑ
Poland
PL + 10 digits
PL + 10 digits
๐ฎ๐น
Italy
IT + 11 digits
IT + 11 digits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VIES VAT validation?
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is the official EU system operated by the European Commission. It allows businesses to verify whether a VAT number is valid and active across all EU member states in real time.
Is VAT number validation legally required?
Yes, for B2B cross-border transactions within the EU. Before applying the zero-rate (reverse charge), you must confirm the buyer has a valid VAT number and keep proof of verification for audit purposes.
Why does a valid VAT number sometimes fail?
VIES connects to national tax databases which are sometimes offline for maintenance. If a legitimate number returns an error, wait a few minutes and try again at ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/