What is VIES and where does the result come from?

VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is the European Commission's official system for checking VAT numbers across the EU. Our endpoint sends the query straight to the VIES REST API and keeps the answer for 24 hours to stay within its rate limit. We store nothing beyond that.

Is it free? Do I need an API key?

Yes, it is free and needs no API key. For programmatic access call /api/v1/vat/validate?country=SK&vatin=2020267777: the same endpoint, JSON response. Limit without a key: ~600 requests per minute per IP.

What does it mean when VIES returns no name or address?

Some member states return neither the name nor the address for a valid VAT number (data protection). You then get only the validity flag. It does not mean the number is invalid.

EU VAT number check (VIES)

Check the VAT number of any EU company straight against the official VIES register. Result: validity status, name and address (where the state returns them). Free, no API key.

Check a VAT number

Pick the country and enter the number without the country prefix. For Greece use EL.

What you get

Source

Live VIES query

The result comes straight from the European Commission's official system (VIES REST API). Kept for 24 hours.

Detail

Name and address

When the member state returns them, we show the registered name and address for the VAT number.

API

REST API

/api/v1/vat/validate?country=SK&vatin=2020267777: JSON response, no key, ~600 requests per minute per IP.

Frequently asked questions

What is VIES and where does the result come from?: VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is the European Commission's official system for checking VAT numbers across the EU. Our endpoint sends the query straight to the VIES REST API and keeps the answer for 24 hours to stay within its rate limit. We store nothing beyond that.
How do I enter the VAT number?: Pick the two-letter country code (e.g. SK, CZ, DE) and enter the number without the country prefix. For Greece use EL (not GR). Spaces and hyphens are ignored.
Is it free? Do I need an API key?: Yes, it is free and needs no API key. For programmatic access call /api/v1/vat/validate?country=SK&vatin=2020267777: the same endpoint, JSON response. Limit without a key: ~600 requests per minute per IP.
What does it mean when VIES returns no name or address?: Some member states return neither the name nor the address for a valid VAT number (data protection). You then get only the validity flag. It does not mean the number is invalid.

Need VAT validation in your own application?

Cross-border KYB before onboarding an EU supplier, invoice validation or accounting integrations. Use the free endpoint, or the full company profile through the KYC/KYB API.

KYC/KYB API Documentation