Check a VAT number
Check in seconds whether a European VAT number exists, is active and which name it belongs to. We query VIES directly, the official VAT system of the European Commission.
How does this check work?
- Enter the VAT number with its country code, for example BE, NL, DE or FR. Spaces and dots are fine.
- We send the number to VIES, the European Commission system that links the VAT registers of all EU countries.
- You see whether the number is valid and active and, if the country publishes it, the name and address.
What to look out for
- Compare the name behind the VAT number with the name on the invoice. A valid number from a different company is a classic clone-fraud trick.
- A number that only recently became active, at a company promising large volumes, fits the pattern of a VAT carousel.
- Germany and Spain do not show names in VIES. Check those extra carefully in the company register.
Try 3 days free
Frequently asked questions
Is this VAT check really free?
Yes. You can check a number of VAT numbers per day without an account. For a full check of the company, use the SafetyBizz scan.
Why don't I see a name?
Some countries, such as Germany and Spain, do not release the name through VIES. The number can still be valid.
What does 'not active' mean?
The number does not exist or is not registered for intra-EU trade. Do not invoice or deliver VAT-free without looking into it first.