About This Tool
Verify any EU VAT identification number in seconds with this free validation tool. VAT numbers are required for cross-border trade within the European Union, and an incorrect or invalid number can lead to rejected invoices, delayed payments, and potential fines from tax authorities. Every business that trades internationally must confirm the VAT registration of its partners before issuing or accepting invoices. This tool checks the format of VAT numbers for all 27 EU member states, plus the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland post-Brexit identifiers. Simply paste or type the full VAT number including the country prefix, and the tool instantly confirms if the format matches official rules. No account or signup needed.
What Is a VAT Number?
A VAT (Value Added Tax) identification number is a unique code assigned to businesses registered for VAT in the European Union and several other jurisdictions. It serves as proof that a company is authorized to charge and reclaim VAT on goods and services.
Key facts about VAT numbers:
- Every VAT number starts with a two-letter country code (e.g., DE for Germany, FR for France)
- The remaining characters follow country-specific rules for length and format
- Businesses use VAT numbers on invoices, customs declarations, and intra-community trade reports
- An invalid VAT number on an invoice can disqualify the buyer from reclaiming input VAT
VAT numbers are issued by the national tax authority of each member state. The format varies significantly between countries, from 8 digits in Denmark to 12 digits in Sweden.
How VAT Number Validation Works
VAT number validation involves two layers of checking:
1. Format Validation (What This Tool Does)
Each EU country defines a specific structure for its VAT numbers. Format validation checks that the number matches the correct pattern of letters and digits for the given country. For example, a German VAT number must be exactly "DE" followed by 9 digits, while a Spanish number uses "ES" followed by a letter or digit, 7 digits, and a final letter or digit.
2. Registration Verification (Requires VIES)
The European Commission operates the VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) database, which confirms that a VAT number is actively registered. Format validation alone cannot tell you if a number is currently active or if the business behind it is legitimate. For official verification, use the VIES portal after confirming the format here.
Why format validation matters:
- Catches typos and data entry errors before they reach invoices
- Prevents submission of obviously invalid numbers to VIES
- Speeds up bulk processing of supplier and customer records
- Reduces rejected invoices due to formatting mistakes
Country-Specific Format Rules
Each EU member state has its own format rules. Here are some of the more complex ones:
Austria (ATU) is unique because it uses a three-character prefix "ATU" instead of just "AT", followed by 8 digits.
Netherlands (NL) has a distinctive format with 9 digits, the letter B, and 2 more digits. The B separates the tax identification from a sequence number.
Ireland (IE) has two valid formats: the older format uses 7 digits followed by 1 or 2 letters, while the newer format places a letter after the first digit.
Spain (ES) allows a letter or digit at both the start and end of the number, reflecting different entity types (companies vs. individuals vs. foreign residents).
France (FR) uses two alphanumeric characters after the country code, which can be letters or digits, followed by 9 digits.
Romania (RO) has the most variable length, accepting anywhere from 2 to 10 digits after the country prefix.
Common Mistakes When Entering VAT Numbers
These are the most frequent errors that cause VAT number validation failures:
- Missing country prefix: Entering "123456789" instead of "DE123456789". The country code is always required.
- Using the wrong country code for Greece: Greece uses "EL" (Ellas) for VAT purposes, not "GR" which is its ISO country code.
- Forgetting the U in Austrian numbers: Austria requires "ATU" not just "AT" before the digits.
- Missing the B in Dutch numbers: Netherlands numbers must contain a "B" between the 9th and 10th characters.
- Adding spaces or dashes: Official VAT numbers contain no separators, though this tool strips them automatically.
- Mixing up O (letter) and 0 (zero): VAT number digits are always numeric zeros, not the letter O.
When You Need to Validate VAT Numbers
VAT number validation is required in several business scenarios:
Intra-Community Trade: When selling goods or services to a business in another EU country, you must verify their VAT number to apply the reverse charge mechanism and zero-rate the supply.
New Supplier Onboarding: Before adding a new supplier to your accounting system, validate their VAT number to avoid issues with input tax deductions.
Invoice Processing: Accounts payable teams should verify VAT numbers on incoming invoices before processing payments and reclaiming VAT.
Annual Audits: Tax auditors often check that VAT numbers on file are valid. Maintaining clean records reduces audit risk and potential penalties.
E-commerce Compliance: Online sellers operating across EU borders must validate customer VAT numbers for B2B transactions to determine the correct tax treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between VAT format validation and VIES verification?
Format validation checks that a VAT number follows the correct pattern of characters for its country (correct length, proper mix of letters and digits). VIES verification goes further by querying the European Commission database to confirm the number is actually registered and active. This tool performs format validation. For full registration checks, use the official VIES portal at ec.europa.eu after confirming the format here.
Why does Greece use EL instead of GR for VAT numbers?
Greece uses the prefix "EL" for VAT numbers, derived from "Ellas" (the Greek name for Greece). This differs from the ISO 3166 country code "GR" used in most other contexts. The EL prefix was established when the EU VAT system was created and has remained unchanged. When entering a Greek VAT number, always use EL followed by 9 digits.
Are UK VAT numbers still valid after Brexit?
UK businesses retained their VAT numbers with the GB prefix for domestic purposes. For trade involving Northern Ireland (which remains in the EU single market for goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol), businesses may also hold an XI-prefixed VAT number. GB numbers have 9 or 12 digits after the prefix. This tool validates both GB and XI formats.
How do I find a company VAT number?
You can find a company VAT number in several places:
- On their invoices or official correspondence
- On their website, typically in the footer or legal notice page
- Through national business registries (e.g., Companies House in the UK, Handelsregister in Germany)
- By contacting the company directly and requesting their VAT registration details
For EU companies, the VIES portal can confirm whether a known number is valid.
What happens if I use an invalid VAT number on an invoice?
Using an invalid VAT number on an invoice creates several problems. The buyer may be unable to reclaim the input VAT from the tax authority. The seller may face penalties for issuing an invoice with incorrect details. In cross-border transactions, an invalid VAT number means the zero-rating for intra-community supplies cannot be applied, potentially making the seller liable for domestic VAT. Tax authorities can also impose fines for repeated use of invalid VAT numbers.