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How do I check a VAT number (VIES)?

Enter the VAT number in our VAT number check. It asks the country's tax authority directly through VIES, the European Commission's service. You see straight away whether the number is valid and, if that country shares it, the name and address.

Last checked 25 October 20261 min readSources

VIES is the European Commission’s service for checking the VAT numbers of businesses in the EU. It’s most useful for customers in other EU countries, but it also works for Belgian numbers.

How does VIES work?

VIES has no database of its own. With every check, the system asks the tax authority database of the country concerned in real time: is this number registered there? If so, you see “valid”. Some countries also give the name and address; others don’t, for privacy reasons.

A Belgian VAT number is BE followed by the enterprise number, for example BE 0123.456.749.

The number is invalid: what now?

  1. Check it with your customer: are the characters, the length and the country code right?
  2. If it’s still invalid, ask your customer to contact their own tax authority. Only that authority can change the details in VIES.

Note: some countries only register in VIES the numbers of businesses that have signed up for trade within the EU. So a correct number can still show as invalid there.

Why does this matter?

For a supply to a customer in another EU country, you have to check that the customer is a taxable person; that decides the right VAT treatment. Your customer’s valid VAT number then belongs on your invoice. If your own number is invalid in VIES, contact your own tax authority.

Then want to know whether the customer can also receive e-invoices? Use the Peppol check.

Read the full guide: Is e-invoicing mandatory for me?

Frequently asked questions

Why don't I see a name or address?
Each country decides for itself whether to show the name and address through VIES. If you don't see them, that country doesn't allow it. The number can still be valid.
Can I see whether a number used to be valid?
No. VIES only confirms whether a number is valid today.
Can I look up a VAT number by name?
No. VIES doesn't let you search by name or address. You need the number itself.
What if I can't confirm my customer's VAT number?
According to the European Commission: if you think your customer isn't a taxable person, you may not exempt the supply and you charge VAT.

Related guides

How do I check if a company is on Peppol?

How to see whether a customer can receive e-invoices through Peppol, using only their enterprise number, and what to do if they're not on it yet.

Where do I find my Peppol ID?

In Belgium, your Peppol ID is your enterprise number with the code 0208 in front of it. This is what it looks like, and how to find it in a few seconds.

My customer isn't on Peppol: what now?

Your customer can't receive e-invoices yet? Then you may send the invoice another way. How the fallback rule works, and what your customer has to do.

Sources

This guide is general information, checked against the official sources above. It is not legal or tax advice; for your own situation, ask your accountant or software provider.