Free tool ยท VIES + HMRC
VAT number validator
Check whether a VAT number is valid and currently registered, straight from the tax authorities. Works for all 27 EU countries, Northern Ireland (XI) and the UK (GB).
Include the country prefix. Checked against VIES (EU) and HMRC (UK) in real time.
What the validator checks
- Country prefix: one of the 27 EU codes (Greece is EL), XI for Northern Ireland or GB for the UK.
- Format: the length and structure for that country. See all VAT number formats.
- Check digit: most countries build a checksum into the number, which catches most typos.
- Registration: a live query to VIES or HMRC confirms the number is active, with the registered name and address where available.
When you need to validate VAT numbers
- B2B sales within the EU: before you invoice without VAT under the reverse charge, you must check the customer’s VAT number.
- Checkout and onboarding: validate the number when a business customer signs up, so invoices are correct from the start.
- Supplier checks: confirm a supplier’s VAT number and company name before you pay.
- Periodic re-checks: registrations end; check stored numbers before large orders.
Validate VAT numbers by API
curl "https://api.vatcheckapi.com/v2/check?vat_number=DE136695976" -H "apikey: YOUR-API-KEY"
The response includes format_valid, checksum_valid and registration_info with is_registered, name, address and checked_at.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a VAT number is valid?
Enter it with its country prefix (for example DE136695976) and click Check. The tool checks the format and check digit, then asks VIES (EU and Northern Ireland) or HMRC (UK) whether the number is registered.
Why does VIES not show the company name?
Some member states, such as Germany and Spain, do not share names and addresses through VIES. The registration status is still confirmed.
What does it mean if a VAT number is not registered?
The number has a valid format but is not active for intra-EU trade: it was never registered for VIES, was deregistered, or contains a typo that still passes the checksum. Do not apply the reverse charge until the customer gives you a valid number.
The national service is unavailable. What now?
VIES depends on each country's database, and some have regular maintenance windows. Try again later and keep a record of your attempts as evidence that you tried to verify the number.
Can I check VAT numbers automatically?
Yes. The vatcheckapi API returns the same result as JSON. The free plan includes 150 validations a month.
VAT validation API
Validate VAT numbers in your app
vatcheckapi checks the format and checksum of EU and UK VAT numbers and confirms the registration with VIES and HMRC, with company name and address where the country provides them.
Read the docs150 free validations every month. No credit card required.
GET https://api.vatcheckapi.com/v2/check?vat_number=DE136695976
{
"country_code": "LU",
"vat_number": "26375245",
"format_valid": true,
"checksum_valid": true,
"registration_info": {
"is_registered": true,
"name": "AMAZON EUROPE CORE S.A R.L.",
"address": "38, AVENUE JOHN F. KENNEDY\nL-1855 LUXEMBOURG",
"checked_at": "2023-01-11T12:30:28.000000Z"
}
}