What is VIES?
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is a European Commission system linking the VAT registers of all EU member states. It lets you check whether a counterparty's VAT number from another EU country is active and registered for intra-Community transactions — essential when applying the 0% VAT rate on intra-EU B2B transactions.
You enter the counterparty's country and VAT number (without the country prefix), and the tool queries the official VIES API directly and shows the result: number validity, and the entity's name and address (if the country provides them).
Frequently asked questions
Why should I check an EU counterparty's VAT number?
Applying the 0% VAT rate to an intra-Community supply of goods or services requires the buyer to have an active EU VAT number. Verifying it in VIES is a standard part of due diligence in cross-border transactions.
How do I enter the VAT number?
Select the country from the list and enter the VAT number without the two-letter country prefix (e.g. for "IE6388047V" enter just "6388047V"). The number format differs by country.
Why is the company name or address sometimes missing?
Not all EU countries make detailed data (name, address) available in VIES — some return only the number's validity status. This is a limitation on the part of that country's register, not this tool.
Does VIES cover Polish tax IDs (NIP)?
Yes, Poland is also in VIES, but for verifying Polish counterparties the VAT White List is more convenient — it has more data (bank accounts, REGON) straight from the Polish register.