Check VAT, EORI, LEI and company registration numbers across all EU member states
1. Enter any EU business identifier above
2. We detect the type (VAT, EORI, LEI) automatically
3. Get instant verification from official EU databases
EU Verifier is your comprehensive resource for validating European business identifiers. Whether you need to check a VAT identification number before an intra-community transaction, verify an EORI code for customs clearance, or look up a Legal Entity Identifier for financial compliance, our platform guides you through the verification process using official European Commission databases.
Operating a business within the European Union requires working with multiple identification systems. Each serves a distinct purpose in the regulatory framework that governs cross-border commerce, customs operations, and financial transactions. Understanding when and how to verify these numbers is essential for compliance and due diligence.
The Value Added Tax identification number is perhaps the most commonly used business identifier in Europe. Every company registered for VAT purposes receives a unique number that begins with a two-letter country code followed by up to twelve characters. This number is essential for intra-community trade, allowing businesses to apply the reverse charge mechanism and conduct B2B transactions without charging VAT at the point of sale.
The European Commission maintains the VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) database, which connects national tax authority databases across all 27 member states. When you verify a VAT number through VIES, you receive real-time confirmation directly from the relevant country's tax administration. This verification is not merely recommended—it is a legal requirement for applying VAT exemptions on cross-border sales.
The Economic Operators Registration and Identification number became mandatory on July 1, 2009, for any business or individual engaged in customs activities within the European Union. Unlike VAT numbers, which relate to taxation, EORI numbers are specifically designed for customs clearance purposes when importing goods into the EU, exporting goods from the EU, or moving goods in transit through EU territory.
An EORI number issued in one member state is valid throughout the entire EU customs territory, meaning businesses only need one EORI regardless of which ports or borders they use. The European Commission provides a dedicated validation tool that checks the number against a central database, returning the registered company name and address when the number is valid.
Following the 2008 financial crisis, regulators recognized the need for a universal identification system for entities participating in financial transactions. The Legal Entity Identifier was developed under G20 mandate to provide a unique 20-character alphanumeric code for every legal entity involved in regulated financial markets. Since January 3, 2018, LEIs have been mandatory under MiFID II for any company wishing to trade securities in European markets.
The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) maintains the worldwide LEI database, which includes not only the identifier itself but also corporate hierarchy information showing parent-subsidiary relationships. This transparency helps regulators and market participants understand counterparty risk and ownership structures across borders.
Verifying business identifiers before conducting transactions is not simply good practice—it is often a legal requirement with significant financial implications. For VAT numbers, accepting an invalid number while claiming a cross-border exemption can result in the selling business becoming liable for the unpaid VAT plus penalties. Tax authorities across Europe conduct regular cross-border audits using the information exchanged through VIES.
For customs operations, using an invalid or incorrect EORI number can lead to shipment delays, storage charges at ports, and potential fines. In some cases, goods may be refused entry entirely until documentation is corrected. The cost of these delays often far exceeds the few minutes needed to verify numbers in advance.
In financial services, failing to verify an LEI before executing a transaction can result in the trade being rejected or reported as non-compliant. Regulatory authorities have imposed substantial fines on institutions that fail to maintain proper LEI records for their counterparties.
Businesses engaged in regular cross-border transactions should implement systematic verification procedures. For new trading partners, always verify identifiers before the first transaction and save the verification confirmation with a timestamp. For ongoing relationships, periodic re-verification catches numbers that may have been cancelled, merged, or modified.
Keep records of all verifications performed. The VIES system provides a consultation number that serves as proof you checked the number at a specific time. This documentation can be invaluable during tax audits when you need to demonstrate due diligence. Similarly, screenshots or API logs from EORI and LEI verifications should be retained as part of your compliance records.
Be aware of common issues that cause verification failures. Numbers may be entered incorrectly with missing or extra characters. Some countries include spaces or dashes in their format while others do not. The country code might be omitted or doubled. When a verification fails, first check the format against our country-specific guides before assuming the number is invalid.
Navigate directly to detailed guides for each type of business identifier:
Our verification resources cover all 27 current EU member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. We also provide guidance on Northern Ireland's special status and the XI-prefixed numbers used for goods movements under the Protocol.
Each country has slightly different format requirements for their identifiers, and some have additional national registration numbers used alongside EU-standard identifiers. Our country-specific guides provide the exact format, character counts, and examples for each member state, helping you avoid the formatting errors that commonly cause verification failures.
The European single market offers tremendous opportunities for businesses willing to engage in cross-border commerce. By understanding and properly utilizing the verification systems available, you can conduct transactions with confidence, maintain regulatory compliance, and build trusted relationships with trading partners across the continent.
Bookmark this page and return whenever you need to verify a business identifier. Explore our detailed guides for in-depth information on each identifier type, and use our FAQ section for answers to common questions about EU business verification requirements.
