Current EU validity
The checker queries the official EU service instead of only testing whether a number looks correctly formatted.
Free · no sign-up · EU-wide
Check an EU VAT number or VAT ID
Check whether a European VAT number is currently registered for intra-EU trade. See available company details and download a timestamped PDF record.
- Free
- No sign-up
- Official EU validation
More than a format check
A useful answer, not just a green tick
Every EU member state
Validate VAT numbers, VAT IDs, and UIDs from all 27 EU countries, plus Northern Ireland. Company data is shown whenever the national register supplies it.
Downloadable record
Save the checked number, result, company details, and exact validation time in a tidy PDF for your files.
Three simple steps
How the VAT and UID check works
Invoice Radar uses VIES, the European Commission's official search service, to request the current status from the responsible national VAT register.
- 1
Enter the VAT ID
Choose the issuing country or paste the complete number, including its country prefix.
- 2
Check current validity
The official service checks whether the number is currently registered for intra-EU transactions.
- 3
Review and save the result
See normalized company information where available and download a timestamped PDF record.
VAT number validation beyond syntax
A correctly formatted number is not necessarily active for cross-border EU trade. This VAT and UID checker therefore asks the official EU service for its current status.
Document the VAT check as a PDF
EU guidance recommends keeping a record of validations for a possible tax audit. The PDF contains the checked number, result, validation date and time, and available company details.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Are VAT number, VAT ID, and UID the same?
In the context of EU trade, these terms usually refer to the same VAT identification number. VAT ID and VAT number are common internationally, while UID is the usual term in Austria.
Can I check an Austrian ATU number?
Yes. Select Austria or paste the complete number in the format ATU12345678. The checker recognizes the country prefix and checks its current EU status.
Is the number really checked with the EU?
Yes. The number is sent through VIES, the European Commission's official search service, to the responsible national VAT register. It is not only checked locally for its format.
What does “valid” mean?
The official EU check confirmed that the number was registered for intra-EU transactions at the time shown. This alone does not prove that every tax requirement for a specific transaction is met.
Why is a known VAT ID not confirmed?
It may have been entered incorrectly, may not yet be activated for intra-EU transactions, or a national register update may still be pending. Temporary service failures are shown separately.
Which countries are supported?
All 27 EU member states are supported. Northern Ireland VAT IDs beginning with XI can also be checked. The EU service uses the prefix EL for Greece.
Why are the company name or address missing?
The details supplied depend on each member state's privacy rules and register. A valid number can therefore have no visible company details.
Can I check validity on a past date?
No. The EU check only returns the current status at the time of validation and does not provide a historical lookup.
Is the PDF an official certificate?
No. It documents the official EU service's response at the stated time, but it is an Invoice Radar-generated record, not an official certificate or tax advice.
VAT number checked? Put invoice collection on autopilot.
Invoice Radar gathers invoices from web portals and email automatically and keeps the work on your device.