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EU Freelancer Tools

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EU VAT number format checker

Paste a VAT number to check its structure against the national format. A correct format is only the first step: confirm the number is actually registered in the official VIES service.

Spaces, dots and dashes are ignored. Use EL for Greece.

Check a list of VAT numbers

Nothing you type leaves your device. Planning aid only, not tax or legal advice. Last checked .

VAT number formats by country

Every EU VAT number starts with a two-letter prefix, followed by the national number. These are the structures this tool checks:

CountryPrefixFormatPattern example
AustriaATATU + 8 digitsATU12345678
BelgiumBEBE + 10 digits (starting with 0 or 1)BE0123456789
BulgariaBGBG + 9 or 10 digitsBG123456789
CroatiaHRHR + 11 digitsHR12345678901
CyprusCYCY + 8 digits + 1 letterCY12345678X
CzechiaCZCZ + 8, 9 or 10 digitsCZ12345678
DenmarkDKDK + 8 digitsDK12345678
EstoniaEEEE + 9 digitsEE123456789
FinlandFIFI + 8 digitsFI12345678
FranceFRFR + 2 characters (digits or letters, not I/O) + 9-digit SIRENFR12123456789
GermanyDEDE + 9 digitsDE123456789
GreeceELEL (not GR) + 9 digitsEL123456789
HungaryHUHU + 8 digitsHU12345678
IrelandIEIE + 7 digits + 1 or 2 letters (older: digit, letter/+/*, 5 digits, letter)IE1234567WA
ItalyITIT + 11 digitsIT12345678901
LatviaLVLV + 11 digitsLV12345678901
LithuaniaLTLT + 9 or 12 digitsLT123456789
LuxembourgLULU + 8 digitsLU12345678
MaltaMTMT + 8 digitsMT12345678
NetherlandsNLNL + 9 digits + B + 2 digitsNL123456789B01
PolandPLPL + 10 digitsPL1234567890
PortugalPTPT + 9 digitsPT123456789
RomaniaRORO + 2 to 10 digits (no leading zero)RO1234567
SlovakiaSKSK + 10 digitsSK1234567890
SloveniaSISI + 8 digitsSI12345678
SpainESES + 9 characters; the first and/or last is a letterESX1234567X
SwedenSESE + 12 digits (always ending in 01)SE123456789001

Examples are placeholder patterns, not real registrations. Some countries also use check digits; this tool does not test check digits, so a well-formed number can still be invalid.

How to verify a VAT number properly

  1. Check the format here to catch typos and wrong prefixes (e.g. GR instead of EL).
  2. Open VIES, choose the member state and enter the number without the prefix.
  3. Optionally enter your own VAT number as the requester to get a consultation number, and save the result (PDF or screenshot) with the client record.
  4. Re-check periodically for long-running clients; registrations can be cancelled.

Then use the reverse-charge wording generator for the invoice note.

FAQ

Does a valid format mean the VAT number is real?
No. This tool only checks that the number has the right structure for its country (prefix, length, digits/letters). It cannot tell you whether the number was issued, is still active, or belongs to your client. For that, use the European Commission's official VIES service.
Why does this tool not query VIES directly?
To keep things private and simple, everything runs in your browser and nothing is sent to any server. VIES has its own free web form; open it with the button after the format check and keep a record of the result (VIES can give you a consultation number when you enter your own VAT number as requester).
Do I need to verify a client's VAT number before applying the reverse charge?
For B2B services the customer's VAT number is the usual evidence that the customer is a taxable person, and it must be on a reverse-charge invoice (Article 226(4) VAT Directive). Checking it in VIES and keeping proof is widely recommended; national practice on what evidence is required varies, so check locally.
What if VIES says "invalid" but the client insists the number is right?
Common reasons: the client is registered nationally but not activated for intra-EU transactions, a typo, a newly issued number not yet propagated, or a national database outage. Ask the client to check their registration with their tax authority. Until it is confirmed, applying the reverse charge is a risk you should discuss with your accountant.
What about Northern Ireland "XI" numbers?
Businesses in Northern Ireland can have an XI VAT number for trade in goods with the EU, and VIES can check XI numbers. This tool covers the 27 EU member states only.
Is my data stored?
No. The check runs entirely in your browser with regular expressions. Nothing is logged or transmitted.

Sources (official)

Last checked: . General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules and national details change: check locally with your tax authority or an accountant.