VAT Number Validator
Validate European VAT (Value Added Tax) numbers for all EU member states. Check format compliance for business tax registration.
Enter VAT Number
Include 2-letter country code (e.g., DE, FR, GB, IT, ES)
Example VAT Numbers
Note: This validator checks format only. For official VAT registration verification, use the VIES database.
About VAT Number Validation
VAT (Value Added Tax) numbers are unique identifiers assigned to businesses registered for VAT in the European Union. Each EU country has its own format and structure.
What This Validator Checks:
- Country code is valid (EU member state)
- VAT number matches country-specific format
- Length and pattern are correct
- Does NOT verify if VAT registration is active
- Does NOT check VIES database
When to Use VAT Validation:
- Before processing intra-EU B2B transactions
- When setting up supplier or customer records
- For e-commerce platforms collecting tax information
- During invoice generation for EU businesses
- For compliance checks in accounting systems
VAT number format by country
There is no single EU-wide VAT format — every member state sets its own length and pattern, which is why the country code matters. Here are the formats for the most common trading countries:
| Country | Code | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | DE | 9 digits | DE123456789 |
| France | FR | 2 chars + 9 digits | FRXX123456789 |
| United Kingdom | GB | 9 or 12 digits | GB123456789 |
| Italy | IT | 11 digits | IT12345678901 |
| Spain | ES | 9 chars (letters + digits) | ESX1234567X |
| Netherlands | NL | 12 chars (10th = B) | NL123456789B01 |
| Ireland | IE | 8–9 chars | IE1234567X |
| Poland | PL | 10 digits | PL1234567890 |
The validator supports all 27 EU member states plus the UK. For live registration status, check the official VIES database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this check that a VAT number is registered?
No. This validator only checks the format — that the country code is valid and the digits match that country’s pattern. To confirm a VAT number is actually registered and active, use the EU’s official VIES system (VAT Information Exchange System) at ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies, which queries each member state’s live database.
Which countries are supported?
All 27 EU member states plus the UK, which still issues VAT numbers for trade after Brexit. Each country has its own format — Germany is 9 digits, France is two characters plus 9 digits, Italy is 11 digits, and the Netherlands is 12 characters with a B in the tenth position — so the validator picks the right rule from the country code.
What is the structure of a VAT number?
Every VAT number starts with a two-letter country code, then a national identifier whose length and characters vary by country. Most are all digits (Germany, Italy, Poland), but several mix in letters — Spain and Ireland can include them, and the Netherlands always has a B before its final two digits. The country code is what tells you which pattern applies.
Why was my VAT number rejected?
The most common reasons are leaving off the two-letter country code, adding spaces or dots, or entering a national tax number that is not the VAT number. Check the format against your country’s example above — length and character pattern both matter — then re-enter it without separators.
Is this tool GDPR-compliant?
Yes. All validation runs in your browser; VAT numbers are never sent to our servers or stored, and nothing you type is collected, processed or shared. It is a pure client-side format check.