VAT Number Validator (VIES).
Validate EU VAT numbers instantly via the official VIES API. Check company name, address, and status for all 27 EU states. Free, no signup.
How to Validate a VAT Number
Select the EU country from the dropdown and enter the VAT number without the country prefix. Click “Validate” to check the number against the official VIES database. Results include the company name, address, and a unique request identifier.
Why VAT Number Validation Matters
For intra-community B2B transactions within the EU, verifying your trading partner’s VAT number is essential. The reverse charge mechanism allows you to invoice without VAT only if the buyer has a valid VAT registration in another EU member state. Failing to verify can result in you being liable for the VAT.
VAT Number Formats by Country
Each EU country has its own VAT number format. Germany uses “DE” followed by 9 digits. France uses “FR” followed by 2 characters and 9 digits. Poland uses “PL” followed by 10 digits. The validator handles all formats automatically — just enter the numbers after the country prefix.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VIES?
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is the official EU system for validating VAT identification numbers. It connects to each EU member state's national database in real-time to confirm whether a VAT number is currently registered and active.
Which countries can I validate?
VIES covers all 27 EU member states plus Northern Ireland (XI prefix). Non-EU countries like the UK (post-Brexit), Norway, and Switzerland have their own separate validation systems and are not included in VIES.
Why does validation sometimes fail?
VIES relies on national databases from each EU country. Some databases have maintenance windows or rate limits. If validation fails, wait a few minutes and try again. You can also check the official VIES website directly for status updates.
Is the validation result legally binding?
VIES validation confirms that a number was registered at the time of the query. For intra-community transactions, you should save the request ID and date as proof of verification. However, VIES results are not a guarantee of a company's current trading status.
What format should I use for VAT numbers?
Enter only the numeric part — select the country prefix from the dropdown. For example, for a German VAT number DE123456789, select DE and enter 123456789. The tool automatically strips spaces and special characters.