Type or paste a VAT number to check its format.
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This checks the format only, not whether the number is registered or active. To confirm an EU VAT number is real and currently valid, use the official VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) lookup service.
Format check, not proof the number is real
Every EU member state builds its VAT number from the 2-letter country code followed by its own fixed pattern of digits or letters, for example 9 digits in Germany, 11 in Italy, or a leading letter plus digits in Spain. This tool checks that a number matches the expected shape for its country code. It cannot confirm the number is currently registered, active, or belongs to the business you expect, only that it is not obviously malformed.
A few EU VAT number formats
| Country | Code | Format |
|---|---|---|
| France | FR | FR + 2 characters + 9 digits |
| Germany | DE | DE + 9 digits |
| Italy | IT | IT + 11 digits |
| Spain | ES | ES + letter/digit + 7 digits + letter/digit |
| Netherlands | NL | NL + 9 digits + B + 2 digits |
Where this differs from a VAT amount calculator
This tool checks the shape of a business's tax identification number, it has nothing to do with computing how much VAT applies to a sale or a price. For calculating a VAT amount on a transaction, use a dedicated VAT rate calculator instead.
How to actually confirm a number is valid
The only reliable way to confirm an EU VAT number is registered and active is the official VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) lookup service run by the European Commission, which queries each member state's tax authority database directly. This tool is a fast first check before that step, not a replacement for it.