Free tool
EU VAT number checker (VIES)
Check whether an EU VAT number is valid, straight from the European Commission's VIES service. Free, no sign-up.
EU VAT number checker (VIES)
Results come live from the official register (VIES) at the moment you search. Nothing to sign up for.
Questions and answers
- What is VIES?
- VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is the European Commission's service that checks a VAT number against the tax database of the EU country that issued it.
- Why is the company name or address missing?
- Some countries, for example Germany and Spain, don't share the name and address through VIES. A valid result still means the number is registered.
- Does "not valid" mean the company doesn't exist?
- No. It means the number isn't active for trade between EU countries. The company may use another number or may not be VAT-registered. Check the national company register as well.
- Can I check a UK VAT number?
- VIES covers the EU and, for goods, Northern Ireland (XI). Great Britain (GB) numbers are checked by HMRC, not VIES.
- Is it really free?
- Yes. Up to 10 checks a minute and 50 a day from one connection, without an account.