EU VAT number checker

Paste VAT numbers with their country prefix (DE, FR, IT…) and catch typos before they end up on an invoice.

European UnionFree, no sign-up

Before you use it

Works well for

  • Catching typos in EU VAT numbers before invoicing
  • Cleaning up customer lists
  • Check digits for 11 member states

Not the right tool for

  • Confirming the number is registered and active — use VIES
  • UK (GB) VAT numbers
  • VAT numbers from outside the EU

What it checks

Every EU country has its own VAT number format — 9 digits in Germany, 11 in Italy, "U" plus 8 digits in Austria, a letter in a set position in Spain. The tool checks the format for all 27 member states and Northern Ireland (XI), and also the check digit for Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Sweden.

Format is not registration

A well-formed number may not be registered, or may have been deactivated. For intra-EU B2B sales without VAT (reverse charge), you need to confirm the customer's number in the European Commission's free VIES service and keep the confirmation. Use this tool to clean up a list first, then confirm the ones that matter in VIES.

Greece and Northern Ireland

Greek VAT numbers use the prefix EL, not GR (the tool accepts both). Since Brexit, Northern Ireland businesses trading goods with the EU use the prefix XI.

Frequently asked questions

Why don't you query VIES directly?

This tool works entirely offline in your browser and never sends the numbers anywhere. VIES is a free official website you can open yourself.

Does it check UK GB numbers?

Not as EU VAT numbers — GB numbers aren't in VIES since Brexit. Northern Ireland XI numbers are supported.

What does 'format OK, no check-digit rule' mean?

For some countries the check digit rules aren't public or are too complex to apply reliably, so only the format is verified.