Frequently Asked Questions

What is an EU VAT number?

An EU VAT number (Value Added Tax identification number) is a unique identifier assigned to businesses that are registered for VAT in a European Union member state. It is used to identify the business when trading goods or services within the EU and is required to charge and reclaim VAT correctly.

Every EU VAT number starts with a two-letter country code followed by up to 12 alphanumeric characters. For example, Irish VAT numbers begin with "IE" and German numbers with "DE".

Why should I validate a VAT number before trading?

Validating a VAT number before issuing a zero-rated (VAT-exempt) invoice to a business in another EU country is a legal requirement in most EU member states. If you apply the zero rate and the customer's VAT number turns out to be invalid, you could be liable for the VAT that should have been charged — plus potential penalties from your local tax authority.

Beyond compliance, validation also helps detect fraud. Invalid VAT numbers are sometimes used to avoid import duties or obtain goods without paying VAT.

What is VIES and how does it work?

VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is an online system operated by the European Commission that allows businesses and tax authorities to verify VAT numbers across all EU member states. When you query VIES, it connects in real time to the national VAT database of the relevant country and returns a valid or invalid status.

Because VIES queries each country's database directly, response times and reliability can vary. Some national databases experience intermittent downtime. If VIES returns a temporary error, try again later rather than assuming the number is invalid.

Is VIES always reliable?

VIES is the authoritative source for EU VAT validation, but it is not always available 24/7. Each EU member state runs its own database and some have scheduled maintenance windows or unexpected outages. VAT-Scan will tell you if a country's database is temporarily unavailable, so you always know whether a result is definitive or provisional.

Does VAT-Scan store the numbers I check?

No. VAT-Scan does not log, store, or share any VAT numbers you enter. Each query is sent directly to the VIES API and the result is returned to your browser. We do not retain any lookup history on our servers. Please review our Privacy Policy for full details.

What does a "valid" VIES result mean?

A valid result means that at the time of the query, the VAT number is registered and active in the relevant national VAT database. It does not guarantee that the company details you hold on file are current — always cross-reference the trader name returned by VIES with your own records.

What does an "invalid" VIES result mean?

An invalid result means the number is not currently registered in the national VAT database. This could mean the business has deregistered, the number was entered incorrectly, or the number was never valid. Before refusing to trade, double-check that you have the correct country prefix and that there are no spaces or special characters in the number.

Can I look up UK VAT numbers on VAT-Scan?

Since the United Kingdom left the European Union, UK VAT numbers (which begin with "GB") are no longer part of the VIES system. To verify a UK VAT number you must use the HMRC VAT checker at gov.uk. VAT-Scan covers all 27 EU member states plus Northern Ireland (XI prefix).

How do I format a VAT number before searching?

Enter the full VAT number including the two-letter country prefix (e.g. DE, FR, IE), or select the country code from the dropdown and enter just the number. VAT-Scan will clean common formatting variations automatically. If you are unsure of the correct format for a particular country, see our VAT Number Formats page.

Is VAT-Scan free to use?

Yes, VAT-Scan is completely free. You can check as many VAT numbers as you need at no cost. The site is supported by advertising. There are no accounts, no sign-ups, and no limits on usage.

What EU VAT rates apply in 2025?

VAT rates vary significantly between EU member states. Standard rates range from 17% (Luxembourg) to 27% (Hungary). See our complete EU VAT Rates table for all 27 countries including reduced and super-reduced rates.

Where can I learn more about EU VAT rules?

Our VAT Guides section covers registration, cross-border rules, digital services, reclaiming VAT, and compliance checklists. For definitions of VAT terms, see our VAT Glossary. For country-specific information, browse our country VAT guides.