EU VAT Number Validator (VIES Check)
Check whether an EU VAT number is valid and active using the European Commission's VIES service — with the registered company name and address where the country shares them. Needed before applying the reverse charge.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Tax rules change and depend on your situation; check with the tax authority or a tax professional.
How to use
- 1Enter the VAT number with its country prefix, e.g. DE811907980 or FR40303265045.
- 2Click Check — the number is first checked for the right format, then against VIES.
- 3Save the result (with the date) as proof for zero-rated or reverse-charge invoices.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a valid-looking number reported as invalid?
VIES only lists numbers registered for intra-EU trade. A business may have a domestic VAT number that isn't enabled for cross-border transactions — ask them to register it.
Why is the company name missing?
Some countries (like Germany and Spain) don't share names and addresses through VIES. The validity check still works.
Can I check UK VAT numbers?
Not here — since Brexit, UK numbers (GB) are checked on HMRC's 'Check a UK VAT number' service. Northern Ireland businesses trading goods with the EU use XI numbers, which VIES does check.