{"id":75657,"date":"2026-10-25T14:30:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T14:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseleague.com\/blog\/check-eu-company-vat-number-national-register\/"},"modified":"2026-10-25T14:58:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T14:58:39","slug":"check-eu-company-vat-number-national-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseleague.com\/blog\/check-eu-company-vat-number-national-register\/","title":{"rendered":"How to check an EU company: VAT numbers and national registers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"How<\/figure>\n
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To check a supplier in another EU country, start with its VAT number. Enter it in VIES<\/a>, the European Commission’s VAT check, to see whether the number is valid for trade between EU countries. Then look the company up in its national business register, which shows whether it is registered and under what name and address.<\/p>\n

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In short<\/p>\n

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  1. Check the VAT number in VIES. For a GB number, use HMRC’s Check a UK VAT number service.<\/li>\n
  2. Find the company in its national business register and compare the name and address.<\/li>\n
  3. Look for the red flags below, and keep a record of each check before you pay.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n
    \"Two<\/a><\/figure>\n

    Step 1: Check the VAT number in VIES<\/h2>\n

    VIES is the European Commission’s own service. It is a search tool, not a database: it asks the national VAT database of the country you choose and shows the answer. The site is available in 23 EU languages.<\/p>\n

    What a valid result tells you<\/h3>\n

    A valid result means the number is registered in that country’s VAT database for trade between EU countries. Some countries also show the name and address of the business. Others show neither, because that country does not allow it. So a blank name field is not a warning sign on its own.<\/p>\n

    If you enter your own VAT number as the requester, the reply carries a consultation number. Keep it: it records that you checked that number at that time.<\/p>\n

    What it does not tell you<\/h3>\n