European businesses often need multiple identifiers depending on their activities. This guide helps you determine which identifiers apply to your situation and understand the distinct purposes each serves.
Answer these questions to identify which numbers you likely need:
Do you sell goods or services subject to VAT?
→ Yes, exceeding threshold: You need a VAT number
→ Yes, to B2B customers in other EU countries: You need a VAT number
Do you import or export goods outside the EU?
→ Yes: You need an EORI number
Do you trade financial instruments (stocks, bonds, derivatives)?
→ Yes: You need an LEI
Purpose: Tax identification for Value Added Tax purposes
Issued by: National tax authorities
You need it if:
You don't need it if:
Purpose: Identification for customs operations
Issued by: National customs authorities
You need it if:
You don't need it if:
Purpose: Global identification for financial market transactions
Issued by: GLEIF-accredited Local Operating Units
You need it if:
You don't need it if:
Activities: Online store selling products to consumers across EU member states
Likely needs: VAT number (possibly in multiple countries or OSS registration)
Probably doesn't need: EORI (no non-EU trade), LEI (no financial instruments)
Activities: Manufacturing company importing components from China, selling finished products within EU
Likely needs: VAT number (taxable sales), EORI number (importing from outside EU)
Probably doesn't need: LEI (unless trading financial instruments)
Activities: Buying goods from Asia, selling across EU and to non-EU countries
Likely needs: VAT number, EORI number
Probably doesn't need: LEI (unless doing financial trading)
Activities: Trading securities, holding investments across European markets
Likely needs: LEI (mandatory for securities trading)
May also need: VAT number (if providing taxable management services)
Probably doesn't need: EORI (no physical goods traded)
Activities: Importing goods, selling across EU, and investing corporate funds in securities
Likely needs: VAT number, EORI number, AND LEI (all three)
Activities: Consulting firm providing services to clients across Europe
Likely needs: VAT number (for B2B cross-border services)
Probably doesn't need: EORI (no goods), LEI (no financial trading)
Activities: New company in development phase, not yet making sales
May need: None immediately, but plan for VAT once sales begin
Will need: EORI if planning to import goods, LEI if planning to raise investment through securities
Many businesses discover they need multiple identifiers as their operations evolve. Understanding how these identifiers interact helps you plan compliance effectively.
The most common combination is VAT and EORI numbers together. Any business that imports goods from outside the EU typically needs both: EORI for customs clearance and VAT registration to handle import VAT properly. In many EU countries, these registrations are coordinated—your VAT number may even form the basis of your EORI number, with a country prefix added.
Larger corporations engaged in international trade and investment activities often need all three identifiers. A manufacturing company that imports materials, exports finished products, and hedges currency risk through derivative contracts would require VAT, EORI, and LEI registrations. Managing compliance across all three systems requires careful coordination.
Getting your identifiers in the right sequence matters. Generally, you should obtain identifiers before you need them rather than scrambling after a compliance deadline. EORI numbers should be secured before your first import shipment arrives. LEI requirements apply from the first reportable transaction. VAT registration timelines vary but delaying beyond required thresholds creates liability.
Your identifier requirements may change as your business evolves. Regularly review whether new activities trigger additional registration requirements.
Common business changes that affect identifier requirements include starting to import goods directly (EORI needed), beginning cross-border B2B sales (VAT implications), entering new EU markets (possible additional VAT registrations), expanding into financial instruments or treasury management (LEI required), and acquiring or merging with other companies (may affect existing registrations).
Conversely, reducing business activities may mean some identifiers become unnecessary. However, maintaining inactive registrations is often simpler than deregistering and later re-registering. Consult professional advisors before closing any registration to understand potential consequences.
| Identifier | Primary Purpose | Trigger Activities |
|---|---|---|
| VAT Number | Tax compliance | Taxable sales, intra-EU B2B trade |
| EORI Number | Customs operations | Import/export with non-EU countries |
| LEI Code | Financial market ID | Securities trading, derivatives |
If your business activities don't fit clearly into these categories, consider consulting with:
For more details on each identifier, see our dedicated guides: VAT Verification, EORI Verification, and LEI Verification.
