Verify any EU VAT number instantly using the official VIES system. Check if a VAT number is valid, and retrieve the registered company name and address. No signup required.
Enter the VAT number without the country prefix, or paste a full VAT number (e.g. BE0123456789) to auto-detect the country.
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VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is a free online tool provided by the European Commission. It allows businesses to verify whether a VAT identification number is valid within the EU. The system queries national VAT databases in real time and returns the registration status, company name, and address.
This tool uses the official VIES REST API to perform lookups. The results come directly from the tax administration of the respective EU member state. No data is stored on our servers.
Choose the EU member state from the dropdown. Or simply paste a full VAT number like "DE123456789" and the country will be detected automatically.
Type or paste the VAT number without the country prefix. The format is validated before sending the request to VIES.
The tool queries the VIES database and returns whether the number is valid or invalid. For most countries, the registered company name and address are also returned.
Each EU member state has its own VAT number format. The table below shows the format for every country. All VAT numbers start with a two-letter country code.
| Country | Code | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇹 Austria | AT | ATU + 8 digits | ATU12345678 |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | BE | BE + 10 digits | BE0123456789 |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | BG | BG + 9 or 10 digits | BG123456789 |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | HR | HR + 11 digits | HR12345678901 |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus | CY | CY + 8 digits + 1 letter | CY12345678A |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | CZ | CZ + 8, 9 or 10 digits | CZ12345678 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | DE | DE + 9 digits | DE123456789 |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | DK | DK + 8 digits | DK12345678 |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | EE | EE + 9 digits | EE123456789 |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | EL | EL + 9 digits | EL123456789 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | ES | ES + 1 letter/digit + 7 digits + 1 letter/digit | ESA12345678 |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | FI | FI + 8 digits | FI12345678 |
| 🇫🇷 France | FR | FR + 2 characters + 9 digits | FRAB123456789 |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | HU | HU + 8 digits | HU12345678 |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | IE | IE + 7 digits + 1-2 letters | IE1234567AB |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | IT | IT + 11 digits | IT12345678901 |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania | LT | LT + 9 or 12 digits | LT123456789 |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | LU | LU + 8 digits | LU12345678 |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia | LV | LV + 11 digits | LV12345678901 |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | MT | MT + 8 digits | MT12345678 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | NL | NL + 9 digits + B + 2 digits | NL123456789B01 |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | PL | PL + 10 digits | PL1234567890 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | PT | PT + 9 digits | PT123456789 |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | RO | RO + 2 to 10 digits | RO1234567890 |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | SE | SE + 12 digits | SE123456789012 |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | SI | SI + 8 digits | SI12345678 |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | SK | SK + 10 digits | SK1234567890 |
When selling goods or services to a business in another EU country, you must verify their VAT number to apply the reverse charge mechanism. Without a valid VAT number, you must charge VAT.
The reverse charge mechanism shifts VAT liability to the buyer. To apply it, you need proof that the buyer has a valid VAT number. A VIES check provides this proof.
Validate VAT numbers when onboarding new B2B customers. This confirms the business is registered and helps prevent fraud. Many ERP systems integrate VIES checks automatically.
VAT registrations can change over time. Periodically re-checking your customer database against VIES ensures your records stay up to date and your VAT treatment remains correct.
This tool sends your query to the official VIES API operated by the European Commission. We do not store, log, or track any VAT numbers you check. Your search history is kept only in your browser session and disappears when you close the page. No cookies, no accounts, no tracking.
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is a free service provided by the European Commission. It allows businesses and individuals to verify whether a VAT identification number is valid. The system connects to the national VAT databases of all EU member states in real time.
Yes. This tool queries the official VIES REST API provided by the European Commission. The results come directly from the tax administration of the respective EU member state. We do not maintain our own database of VAT numbers.
A VIES check returns whether the VAT number is valid or invalid. For most EU countries, it also returns the registered company name and address. Some countries (like Germany) do not provide name and address data through VIES for privacy reasons.
VIES depends on the national VAT databases of each EU member state. If a specific country's database is undergoing maintenance or experiencing issues, lookups for that country may temporarily fail. This is not something we can control. You can try again later.
No. VIES only covers VAT numbers from EU member states. For UK VAT numbers (post-Brexit), you need to use HMRC's VAT check service. For other countries, check with the respective tax authority.
Validating VAT numbers is essential for cross-border B2B transactions within the EU. If you apply the reverse charge mechanism (zero-rate VAT), you must be able to prove that the buyer has a valid VAT number. Regular VIES checks protect you from incorrect VAT treatment.
The reverse charge mechanism is an EU rule for B2B cross-border transactions. Instead of the seller charging VAT, the buyer self-assesses and reports the VAT in their own country. This simplifies cross-border trade. To apply reverse charge, the buyer must have a valid VAT number.
No. We do not store, log, or track any VAT numbers you check. The query is sent to the VIES API and the result is returned to your browser. Your search history exists only in your browser session and disappears when you close the page.
It is good practice to re-validate VAT numbers periodically, especially for ongoing business relationships. VAT registrations can be cancelled or changed. Many businesses re-validate quarterly or before issuing a new invoice to a cross-border customer.
An invalid result means the VAT number is not currently registered in the VIES database. The company may have ceased trading, the VAT registration may have been revoked, or the number may simply be incorrect. Double-check the number and contact the company if needed.
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