EU VAT number validator
Check VAT identification numbers from all EU member states for correct structure and check digit — instantly, free, without sign-up. Everything runs in your browser.
Important: Format and check-digit validation catches typos and invented numbers. Whether a number is actually issued and currently valid can only be answered by the official EU VIES service. For evidence towards a tax authority you need that official confirmation, documented with a date.
VAT number formats by country
| Country | Code | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | DE | 9 digits | DE136695976 |
| Austria | AT | U + 8 characters | ATU13585627 |
| Netherlands | NL | 9 digits + B + 2 digits | NL123456782B12 |
| Belgium | BE | 10 digits (starting 0 or 1) | BE0776091951 |
| France | FR | 2 characters + 9 digits (SIREN) | FR40303265045 |
| Italy | IT | 11 digits | IT00743110157 |
| Spain | ES | 9 characters including letters | ESA12345674 |
| Poland | PL | 10 digits | PL5260001246 |
| Sweden | SE | 12 digits, ending in 01 | SE123456789701 |
| Northern Ireland | XI | 9 or 12 digits | XI123456789 |
Common pitfalls
- Greece uses the code
EL, notGR, for VAT purposes. The tool above accepts both. - United Kingdom numbers left VIES after Brexit — except Northern Ireland with the
XIprefix. - Tax number ≠ VAT ID. A domestic tax number is a different identifier and cannot be used for intra-EU trade.
- Stale checks. Numbers can be withdrawn. A validation from three years ago says little about today.
Build validation into onboarding
In practice this rarely fails on knowledge and almost always on process: the check happens once when the record is created, never again, and is not documented anywhere. In NexSource, VIES validation is part of supplier discovery and onboarding, alongside screening against EU, OFAC and UN sanctions lists — and the result stays attached to the supplier record.
Frequently asked questions
What does this tool check?
It checks the country-specific format and, where a published algorithm exists, the check digit — entirely inside your browser. That reliably catches typos and invented numbers. It cannot tell you whether a number is actually registered and currently valid; only the official EU VIES service can.
Why does VAT ID validation matter?
For an intra-EU supply to be zero-rated, a valid VAT identification number of the customer is a substantive requirement. If it was invalid at the time of supply, the tax authority can deny the exemption and you owe the VAT. That is why validation belongs in supplier and customer onboarding — and why the result must be documented with a date.
Is my input stored?
No. The check runs entirely in your browser. No request is sent to a server, nothing is stored, and no cookies are set.
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