Check VAT number in Europe

Trading B2B across the European Union means handling VAT numbers from multiple member states on every invoice. Before you approve payment, apply zero-rated VAT, or onboard a new supplier, you need to check a VAT number in Europe against the official registry — free, online, and in seconds through the VIES system.

What is a European VAT number?

An EU VAT number is the tax ID assigned to businesses registered for Value Added Tax in an EU member state. Each one starts with a two-letter country prefix — DE for Germany, FR for France, IE for Ireland, NL for the Netherlands, and so on across all 27 member states — followed by digits or letters set by national rules. A number printed on an invoice does not prove it is still active; only a live European VAT number check confirms that.

Country prefixes, formats, and intracommunity B2B rules are explained in EU VAT numbers explained.

How to check a VAT number in Europe online

The European Commission operates VIES (VAT Information Exchange System), the official channel for cross-border European VAT validation. Enter the full number including its country prefix, submit, and VIES routes the query to the relevant national database — Revenue in Ireland, the Finanzamt in Germany, and so on. You receive an instant valid or invalid status plus the registered business name and address where the member state provides them.

Use our free VAT checker on Check VAT Number for live VIES results covering all 27 EU member states — no account required. For a full walkthrough, read how VAT validation works and best free website for checking EU VAT IDs.

Country-specific VAT checks in Europe

Every EU member state uses the same VIES gateway, but formats differ by country. Irish numbers use IE plus seven digits and letters — see how to check a VAT number in Ireland. German, French, Dutch, and other prefixes follow their own national rules listed in our EU VAT guide. Always enter the full code with its prefix when you check an EU VAT number online.

Europe vs UK VAT checks

Since Brexit, GB VAT numbers are no longer validated through VIES — they require an HMRC lookup instead. If you trade with both European and UK partners, you need both workflows. European numbers go to VIES; GB numbers go to HMRC. Read VIES vs HMRC: what's the difference? and check VAT number in UK for the UK side.

When to verify a European VAT number

Build a cross-border VAT check Europe step into supplier onboarding, accounts payable, and new customer verification before zero-rating intracommunity B2B supplies. A verify VAT number EU lookup before the first payment protects against invoice fraud — see how to spot VAT invoice fraud. If a check fails, follow what to do if a VAT number is invalid. Broader guidance: why you should verify VAT numbers, how to check a VAT number for a company, and our FAQ.

Check a European VAT number free now

Whether you need to validate a VAT number in Europe free for one invoice or build a regular compliance workflow, the process takes seconds. Visit the Check VAT Number homepage, enter the full VAT number with its country prefix, and get instant VIES results — or browse more guides on our blog.