VAT Number Validator
Check a VAT registration number's format against its country's expected pattern.
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Valid: The value matches the expected DE VAT number format.
- Country prefix: DE
- Format matched only — no checksum digit or registry lookup was performed.
DE123456788Clear the entered value before starting another check. Validation runs locally and does not check against any external registry, server, or account.
What this tool does
Checks whether a VAT registration number matches the expected length and character pattern for its two-letter country prefix, covering current EU member states plus the United Kingdom.
How to use it
Enter a VAT number including its two-letter country prefix (for example DE for Germany). The checker removes spaces, dots and hyphens, uppercases the value, and matches the remainder against that country's known format.
Example
Entering DE 123456788 returns valid, since Germany's format is exactly 9 digits after the DE prefix.
Validation
The value must start with one of the covered two-letter prefixes (EU member states use their ISO code, except Greece, which uses EL) followed by that country's specific digit or letter pattern, such as 9 digits for Germany or Portugal, or a mixed alphanumeric pattern for Spain and Ireland.
How to interpret the result
A valid result confirms the number's shape matches its country's published format — it is not a checksum verification and does not confirm the number is currently registered or active.
Limitations
This checker does not compute the country-specific checksum digits many VAT numbers use, and it does not query any registry. For an authoritative, real-time check of an EU VAT number's registration status, use the European Commission's VIES online service.
Privacy
All processing uses local browser APIs and this tool does not upload the values you enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does VAT Number Validator do?
- Checks whether a VAT registration number matches the expected length and character pattern for its two-letter country prefix, covering current EU member states plus the United Kingdom.
- How does it handle invalid input?
- The value must start with one of the covered two-letter prefixes (EU member states use their ISO code, except Greece, which uses EL) followed by that country's specific digit or letter pattern, such as 9 digits for Germany or Portugal, or a mixed alphanumeric pattern for Spain and Ireland.
- Is entered data uploaded?
- All processing uses local browser APIs and this tool does not upload the values you enter.