Belgium VAT number (BTW-nummer / Numéro de TVA)
Belgium's VAT number follows a MOD97 checksum — the same algorithm used in international bank account numbers (IBAN). If you understand IBAN validation, you understand Belgian VAT validation.
This page covers the VAT identifier for BE. The information below includes the correct format, checksum algorithm, entity types, and where to locate the number on documents. Use the full VAT validator to run a live check against these rules.
For active registration status — whether a specific number is currently registered and trading — the only authoritative source is VIES (European Commission). Format and checksum checks only validate the number's structure.
BEUse the Open VAT format database for the full regex pattern, character classes, and length rules for this country alongside all 27 EU members.
VAT-Scan implements the full checksum for BE. The validator will return a clear pass or fail result along with the expected control value, so you can see exactly what went wrong if the number is invalid.
See the Checksum methodology page for a detailed explanation of the algorithm families used across EU VAT numbers, including the algorithm used by BE.
- Entering the domestic tax number instead of the EU VAT identifier (they are sometimes different).
- Including or omitting separators — VAT-Scan normalises these automatically, but some systems do not.
- Treating a checksum pass as confirmation of active registration — always verify via VIES for B2B due diligence.
- Using the wrong prefix — for example, entering a number without the country code prefix at all.
Verification: VIES (European Commission) →