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VAT number validator
Check an EU or UK VAT number against the official length and pattern for its country. The country is detected from the prefix. Format check only — not registration.
Input
VAT number check
—Enter an EU or UK VAT number (with country code) to check its format.
A free VAT number validator that checks EU and UK VAT numbers against the official format pattern and length for each country. Enter any VAT number — the country is detected from the prefix — and get an instant structural result. This is a format check only; it does not query the VIES database or confirm registration.
How to check a VAT number
- Type or paste the VAT number including the two-letter country prefix (e.g. DE123456789, GB123456789).
- The tool auto-detects the country from the prefix and applies that country's format rules.
- It checks the length and character pattern against the official specification.
- Result shows valid format, invalid format, or unrecognized country prefix.
What a format check tells you — and what it does not
Each EU member state and the UK defines a specific pattern for its VAT numbers — a combination of digits, letters, and a fixed total length. This validator checks that the number you entered matches that pattern. It does not contact the VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) API or any tax authority registry, so it cannot confirm that the business is registered, active, or that the VAT number has ever been assigned. For authoritative registration checks, use the official VIES lookup at ec.europa.eu.
Common validation errors
- Wrong length — most countries require an exact character count that varies by country.
- Missing or wrong country prefix — the two-letter ISO country code must come first.
- Invalid character type — some positions must be digits, others allow letters.
- GB numbers follow HMRC's own format rules, not the EU standard.
Frequently asked questions
Does a valid format mean the VAT number is registered?
No. Format validation only confirms the number matches the structural rules for its country. Registration status requires a query to VIES or the relevant national tax authority.
Which countries does the VAT validator support?
All EU member states plus the UK. Each country's official format rules are encoded separately, covering length, allowed characters, and positional constraints.
Does this tool send my VAT number anywhere?
No. All validation runs locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server, including VIES or any tax authority API.
Why does a VAT number that looks right still fail?
Possible causes: wrong country prefix, incorrect total length (which varies significantly by country), or a character in a position that expects a digit vs a letter. Check the country's specific format on the European Commission's VIES documentation.