EU VAT Number Format Checker Widget

Let buyers and sellers check that an EU VAT identification number is written in the right shape for its Member State - or a Northern Ireland XI number - before an invoice goes out, one at a time or in a pasted list, with a direct link to the European Commission's VIES service for the real registration check.

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<iframe src="https://a2z.tools/embed/w/eu-vat-number-format-checker" title="EU VAT Number Format Checker by A2Z Tools" width="100%" height="890" style="border:0;width:100%" loading="lazy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>

A plain iframe. Works everywhere, including site builders that strip scripts. Adjust height if your content needs more room.

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How it works

The number is upper-cased and spaces, dots and hyphens are dropped, so "de 123 456 789" becomes DE123456789. The first two letters choose the structure published in the European Commission's VIES FAQ: 27 Member State prefixes plus XI for Northern Ireland. Greece uses EL, not GR, and GB numbers are explained rather than checked, because VIES stopped validating them on 1 January 2021. The remainder must match the official pattern: Austria U followed by 8 digits, Belgium 10 digits starting 0 or 1, France 2 letters-or-digits then 9 digits, the Netherlands 12 characters that may include + or *, Romania 2 to 10 digits, Spain 9 characters whose first and last may not both be digits. XI numbers may be 9 or 12 digits, or GD or HA plus 3 digits for government departments and health authorities. A number typed without its prefix can be checked by choosing the country. National check digits are not tested, and only VIES can confirm that a number is registered and valid for cross-border trade - the result links straight to it.

Method

  • Normalise: upper-case; remove spaces, dots and hyphens
  • Prefix = first 2 letters (AT ... SK, EL for Greece, XI for Northern Ireland), or the chosen Member State when no prefix is typed
  • National part must match the VIES pattern (9 = digit, X = letter or digit, S = letter, digit, + or *, L = letter)
  • Spain: first and last characters may not both be digits (VIES note 4)
  • Registration status: not checked - link to VIES

Worked examples

Spaces and lower case

Inputs: de 123 456 789

Result: Valid format DE123456789 - Germany, structure DE999999999

9 digits after the DE prefix.

Spanish rule

Inputs: ES123456789

Result: Not a valid EU VAT number format - Spanish numbers may not start and end with a digit (VIES note 4)

Use ESX9999999X: first or last must be a letter.

Northern Ireland department

Inputs: XIGD123

Result: Valid format XIGD123 - Northern Ireland, government department

VIES note 6: GD identifies government departments.

A format check, not confirmation that a VAT number is registered or valid for intra-EU trade. Confirm on the official VIES service before relying on it.

Limitations

  • Structure only: national check-digit algorithms are not applied and registration is not checked - use VIES for that.
  • The patterns follow the VIES FAQ; VIES gives no start date for them, so they reflect the version read on the verified date.
  • UK (GB) VAT numbers are not checked; they are verified with HMRC, not VIES.

Where publishers use it

  • A B2B checkout page where EU business customers check their VAT number before claiming the reverse charge
  • An accounts-receivable guide for checking the VAT numbers on a customer list before invoicing
  • A Northern Ireland trader's page explaining the XI prefix and how it differs from GB
  • A freelancer's invoicing help page showing where a client's VAT number should be verified
  • An ERP or CRM data-quality checklist: paste 200 numbers and copy back the well-formed ones

Questions

Does a valid format mean the VAT number is real?

No. The widget only compares the number with the official structure. Whether it is issued, active and valid for intra-EU trade can only be confirmed on the European Commission's VIES service, which the widget links to. A2Z never contacts VIES itself.

Why does Greece use EL?

VIES uses the prefix EL for Greek VAT numbers, followed by 9 digits; GR is Greece's ISO country code and is not accepted as a VAT prefix, so GR123456789 is flagged with the suggestion EL123456789.

What is an XI VAT number?

Since 1 January 2021, businesses in Northern Ireland covered by the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland use the XI prefix, and VIES checks XI numbers instead of GB ones. The shapes are XI + 9 digits, XI + 12 digits for branch traders, XIGD + 3 digits for government departments and XIHA + 3 digits for health authorities.

Why was a Spanish number rejected even with 9 characters?

VIES notes that the first and last characters of a Spanish number may each be a letter or a digit, but not both digits. ESX1234567X and ES12345678Z fit; ES123456789 does not.

Can I type a number without its country prefix?

Yes - choose the Member State and the widget adds the prefix before checking, so U12345678 with Austria becomes ATU12345678. If you type a prefix as well, the prefix wins and the widget says so.

Are national check digits tested?

No. Most Member States add a check digit calculated by their own rules; this widget tests only the published structure, so a number with a mistyped digit can still show a valid format.

Sources

  1. VIES FAQ - VAT identification number structure - European Commission, DG Taxation and Customs Union . Structure of the VAT number for each Member State and XI (9 = digit, X = letter or digit, S = letter, digit, + or *, L = letter) and notes 4-7. Checked 2026-10-03.
  2. VIES VAT number validation - European Commission . Official registration check for EU and XI VAT numbers; GB validation ceased on 1 January 2021 and XI validation began. Checked 2026-10-03.

Cite or recommend this tool

If you reference this tool in an article, course or documentation, these formats are ready to copy. They are optional - nothing is added to your site unless you paste it.

A2Z Tools EU VAT Number Format Checker
https://a2z.tools/embed/eu-vat-number-format-checker

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