VAT Validator — check EU VAT numbers
Verify EU VAT registration numbers in real time against the VIES database. Make sure your customers' and suppliers' VAT IDs are valid before invoicing.
Direct connection to the EU Commission's VIES database. The result reflects the current status at the member state's tax authority.
Covers all 27 member states with support for national formats and checksum algorithms.
No registration or API key required. Typical response time under 2 seconds.
For valid numbers, the official name and address are returned directly from the tax authority.
What is a VAT number?
A VAT (Value Added Tax) number is the unique identifier that a tax authority assigns to a business upon VAT registration. It always starts with a two-letter country code (SE for Sweden, DE for Germany, FR for France, etc.) followed by a national identifier. In Sweden, the number consists of the code SE, the organisation number without dashes, and the suffix 01 — 14 characters in total. In other EU countries, length and format vary: from 8 digits in Germany to 11 characters in France. What all countries share is a check digit computed by a mathematical algorithm (modulus 11, Luhn or similar) that allows basic validation without contacting the tax authority.
What is VIES?
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is the EU Commission's official database connecting the VAT registers of all member states. Through VIES, a company can verify that a counterparty's VAT number is genuinely valid and active in another EU country — a prerequisite for invoicing without VAT in cross-border B2B trade. Our validator calls the VIES service directly via its SOAP interface. When the number is valid, VIES returns the company name and address registered with the national tax authority. Note that VIES can be unavailable periodically — individual member states update their registers at different times and it happens that a national service is down for a few hours. In such cases a warning is shown and you can try again later.
Why check VAT numbers?
When invoicing companies in other EU countries, reverse charge applies — you invoice without VAT provided that the customer's VAT number is valid and registered in VIES. If the number turns out to be invalid or deregistered during a tax audit, you may be liable to pay the VAT yourself. Best practice is therefore to verify each new customer at registration, and periodically re-check recurring customers ahead of larger invoices. It's a good idea to store a copy of the verification with the date — VIES also offers a "consultation number" feature that provides a unique reference number usable as evidence during an audit.
Format by EU country
Sweden (SE) — SE + 10 digits + 01, e.g. SE556036079301. Germany (DE) — DE + 9 digits, e.g. DE811569869. France (FR) — FR + 2 characters + 9 digits, e.g. FR40303265045. Finland (FI) — FI + 8 digits. Denmark (DK) — DK + 8 digits. Norway is not an EU member and has its own system (Organisasjonsnummer + "MVA"). United Kingdom (UK) — after Brexit no longer part of VIES; HMRC's national service is used instead. Our validator recognises the formats of all 27 EU member states automatically — enter the number with the country code and the correct algorithm is identified.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to check a VAT number?
The service is completely free. We use the EU Commission's open VIES interface and do not charge per lookup.
Why does VIES say a number is "invalid" when the customer says it works?
Usually due to sync delay. Newly registered VAT numbers can take a few days to be synchronised to VIES. Ask the customer to send an extract from their national tax authority if necessary.
Can I use this check as evidence in a tax audit?
A simple lookup is a good first step, but for invoices where significant amounts are at stake, save the VIES consultation number as formal proof. Tax authorities accept this as ordinary due diligence.
Are UK VAT numbers supported?
No — after Brexit, the UK is no longer part of VIES. For UK numbers you need to use HMRC's national service.
Are the numbers I search for stored?
No. Searches are proxied directly to VIES without being saved in any database. The Commission itself logs the call for technical reasons.
What does "VIES is temporarily unavailable" mean?
It means the national tax authority's connection to VIES is currently down. This happens regularly during maintenance windows. The format of the number has, however, been verified locally.