Format first
Catch missing prefixes, extra punctuation, and obvious country-format mistakes before you spend time validating in VIES.
EU VAT number helper
VAT number format checker
Check whether a VAT number has a plausible country format before you verify it with official VIES.
Check the format
This local check removes spaces and punctuation, detects a country prefix when present, and compares the remaining number to common country patterns.
A plausible format is not proof that the number exists or is active. Always use official VIES for EU B2B reverse charge decisions and keep the result in your records.
Validate officially
For EU B2B sales, open VIES and keep the validation date, response, and consultation number when available.
Keep records
Format checks and VIES checks should sit next to invoices, customer details, order records, and reverse charge decisions.
FAQ
Does this validate a VAT number?
No. It only checks whether the number follows a common country format. Use official VIES to check whether an EU VAT number is currently valid for cross-border transactions.
Can a correctly formatted VAT number still be invalid?
Yes. A number can match the expected format but still be inactive, not activated for intra-EU transactions, expired, or missing from VIES.
Is the VAT number sent to EU VAT Kit servers?
No. The format check runs in the browser. The site does not submit the number to EU VAT Kit.