Check VAT registration number for all EU countries, Norway, Switzerland and Thailand

What VAT number validation results can you get?

VAT number validation process can have some of the next messages:

• VALID: success; VAT number is valid
• NOT VALID: success; VAT number is not valid
• VAT number format is not valid or country is not supported: error; the input VAT number does not have a valid format, it does not have correct country code, has extra number or other general error. VATapp.net's VAT number validation service will automatically clean any strayed characters like spaces, commas, dashes etc. If you've recieved this message, you should check input data.
• The application at the Member State is not replying or not available.: error; VAT number validation service cannot get a response from EC VIES service. This usually means that EC VIES is overloaded with requests, so you should wait and try validating VAT number later.

Please note that Germany and Spain national tax administration databases do not provide address information. Some countries provide what seems to be postal address, instead of residential address.

Note: although a valid VAT ID number also indicates that a company exists, please note that VAT ID is usually not used to check existence of a company, only its current VAT registration status with tax administration database. A VAT ID number that is not valid doesn't (always) mean the company doesn't exist, but that it's not registered for VAT at the given moment.

Does VATapp.net provide proof of VAT number validation?

No. VATapp.net does not provide any proof of validation. Validation is provided for informational purposes only, in accordance with terms and conditions of usage of the third party web services, and VATapp.net shall not have any liability concerning the validation results.

What is a VAT number?

VAT number (also called VAT identification number, VAT registration number, VAT ID, Tax identification number (TIN)) is an individual number of a registered business (so-called taxable person, as distinct from an individual person), that carries out taxable business transactions, and is obliged to register for VAT purposes.

How to get a VAT number?

VAT number can be issued only by a national tax administration. Taxable person that operates in the EU must register for VAT number in each EU member state, where it falls under the VAT Directive.

How to find a VAT number?

In some countries VAT number is publicly available, usually via official business register, so you can look it up by company name. Also, in some countries, it's the same as the company registration number, which is prefixed with country code. If you have an invoice, it should be listed there. The recommended way is to ask your customer, in written form, so that you have a proof of communicating the VAT number.

How to batch check VAT number?

Paste in multiple VAT numbers in the form on VATapp.net's batch VAT number check service. Your VAT numbers can have commas, dots, hyphens and other characters, VATapp.net will clean those. You can also batch check VAT number list that is separated by commas, tabs or spaces. You can get results as Excel, PDF or copy them. EU, Norway and Switzerland VAT number batch check is supported.

Where do VAT number validation results come from?

EU and Norther Ireland VAT number validation results are obtained from the VIES service, while Switzerland, Thailand and Norway VAT number validation results are obtained from respective national tax administrations' databases. All VAT number check results are obtained in real time.

What is VIES?

VIES stands for VAT Information Exchange System on-the-web, it is created by the EC (European Commission) in accordance to combating fraud in the field of VAT Regulation and VAT Directive . VIES provides taxable persons performing intra-Community supply activities confirmation of validity of a VAT number by electronic means, while Member States are obliged to provide VAT number related data and keep that data up-to-date.

How to check Northern Ireland (UK) VAT number?

You can check Northern Ireland VAT number by entering VAT number in the following format: XI and number that can have 3-9 digits. Northern Ireland VAT number validation results are also obtained in real time from the EC VIES service.

How to check Norwegian VAT number?

Enter Norwegian VAT number in the following format: NO and number that can have 9 digits MVA. MVA part is optional. Norwegian VAT number validation results are obtained in real time from The Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities (Enhetsregisteret) , Norway.

How to check Swiss VAT number?

Enter Swiss VAT number in the following format: CHE and number that can have 9 digits MWST/TVA/IVA. MWST/TVA/IVA part is optional. Swiss VAT number validation results are obtained in real time from UID register, The Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) , Switzerland.

How to check if Thai tax ID is registered for VAT?

You can verify if Thai tax ID number is valid and registered for VAT, and by that, also check if the company exists and is registered in Thailand. Validation results include company's name and address, if provided. You need company's tax identification number (TIN), which is also used to check VAT registration status. Enter Thai TIN in the following format: TH and number that can have 13 digits. Please note that prefix TH is added for convenience. Thai VAT number validation results are obtained in real time from The Revenue Department (Thai: กรมสรรพากร), Thailand.

What is a VAT group?

VAT Group is usually a type of VAT regime or treatment, where a group of at least two companies register for VAT purposes as a single taxable person, i.e. VAT group (e.g. they submit VAT return for all members at once).

Usually, one company (holding company) controls others (subsidiaries). VAT group registration usually must be approved by national tax authority, which issues a single VAT number for all companies in the group as a whole.

In general, all members of the VAT group (VAT group entities) then use the VAT group VAT number, instead of their own (e.g. when issuing invoice). However, rules about VAT groups vary, they are not allowed in some countries, so you should check them with respective tax authority.

Why is VAT number important?

Among others, VAT number has a key role in:

The zero VAT rate for intra-Community supplies Supplier must obtain customer's VAT number and have proof of communicating the VAT number. If the VAT number is valid, the zero VAT rate can be applied.

Issue of invoices When issuing invoices, VAT identification number is a mandatory information, so it must be contained on in invoice when doing business with EU clients.

VAT return and recapitulative statements VAT number is a mandatory information when submitting VAT return, as well as when submitting recapitulative statement.

While it looks very complicated, it is meant to simplify doing business, and of course, ensure tax collection.
These rules are regulated by EU legislation; you can read more about VAT and VAT number in VAT Directive and VAT invoicing rules