VAT number checker
Check that a VAT number is valid and registered before you invoice without VAT.
- Format and check digits for every EU country
- Registration checked live with the tax authority
- Dated, so you can keep proof
Give it something to look up — Glee will do the digging.
How the vat number checker works
A business selling to another business across EU borders can usually invoice without VAT — but only if the customer's VAT number is valid at the time of the sale. Keeping proof of that check protects you in an audit.
Enter the number with its two-letter country prefix. We check its format for that country, then ask the tax authorities' own validation service whether it is registered for cross-border trade, and show the time of the check. UK (GB) numbers are checked for format only.
A number can be correctly formatted and still not be registered for cross-border trade: domestic-only registrations are common for small businesses. The result says which of the two you have, and keeps the date, because a registration can be cancelled later.
What each field means
- Valid
- Registered for cross-border trade on the date of the check.
Where this check stops
- Availability depends on each country's service, which can be down for maintenance; that is reported as unavailable, not invalid.
- VAT validation does not establish overall business legitimacy.
The same check, through the API
Same calculation, same answer, with a key. 5 credits per check ($0.50 per 1,000). A free account includes 1,000 credits a month.
GET /v1/vat/GB123456789 Host: gleanzy.com Authorization: Bearer $GLEANZY_KEY
Frequently asked
Why does it say format only?
UK numbers, and any number whose country service is down for maintenance, are checked for format only; registration is then unknown, not invalid.
Does it show the company name?
Not yet. Use the company search to find the business behind it.