What is a European VAT number?
A VAT identification number is a unique identifier assigned to businesses registered for VAT within the European Union. It's used for tax purposes when trading goods and services across EU borders.
For more details, see the European Commission website.
Domestic VAT number vs intra-community VAT number
Domestic VAT number: Registered with your national tax authority for business activities in your own country.
Intra-community VAT number: Your domestic VAT number, activated for cross-border use in the EU and listed in the EU's VIES database.
⚠️ bsport needs your intra-community VAT number: A domestic VAT number that hasn't been activated for intra-community operations isn't listed in VIES. It will show as invalid in your back office, and VAT will be charged on your invoices.
What is it called in different languages?
Depending on the country, the VAT number may have different names:
France (FR): Numéro de TVA intracommunautaire
Germany (DE): Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer (USt-IdNr.) or Mehrwertsteuer-Identifikationsnummer (MwSt.-Nummer)
Italy (IT): Partita IVA
Netherlands (NL): BTW-nummer
Spain (ES): Número de Identificación Fiscal (NIF) (used for VAT purposes)
ℹ️ Good to know: In some countries, your domestic and intra-community VAT numbers look the same, but the number still needs to be activated for intra-community operations before it's listed in VIES. If you're not sure, check it on the VIES validation tool.
Why do we need your VAT number?
We need your VAT number to display it on our invoices. If you are a business established in the EU (excluding France), providing a valid intra-community VAT number also allows us to apply the reverse charge mechanism. This means we don't charge VAT on our invoices, and you report the VAT yourself according to your local tax regulations.
What is the reverse charge mechanism?
The reverse charge mechanism is a tax rule designed to simplify cross-border transactions within the EU. Instead of the supplier charging VAT, the buyer (you) reports both the input and output VAT on their own tax return. This avoids unnecessary VAT payments and refunds.
How to find your VAT number
If you're unsure whether your business has a VAT number, you can:
Look at your company registration documents. VAT numbers are often assigned when the company is registered.
Ask your accountant or finance team. They can confirm whether your business is VAT-registered, and whether your number is activated for intra-community operations.
Check your tax authority's website. Most EU tax authorities have online portals where businesses can look up their VAT details.
If you are not VAT-registered, check the I do not have a VAT number option to confirm your status.
How to get your VAT number registered in VIES
Make sure you have a domestic VAT number. You can't have an intra-community VAT number without one.
Ask your national tax authority to activate it for intra-community operations. Once this is done, your number is listed in VIES.
Check your number on the VIES validation tool.
Add it to your back office in Settings > Company > VAT identification number, including your country code (e.g. DE, ES, IT).
⏳ Apply early: Registration usually takes at least three weeks, depending on your country. For the list of national tax authorities and more detail on how VAT is applied, see VAT rules for EU clients.
What happens if I don't provide a VAT number?
Without a valid intra-community VAT number, we are legally required to charge VAT on your invoices, which may increase your costs.
I entered a VAT number, but the pop-up still appears
When you enter your VAT number, we instantly check its format. We also check that it's valid in the European Commission's VIES database, which can take a minute or two. If the validation fails, the pop-up keeps appearing and asks you to enter a corrected number.
The most common reasons a number isn't accepted:
It isn't registered in VIES. It may be a domestic VAT number that hasn't been activated for intra-community operations. See How to get your VAT number registered in VIES above.
You've only just been registered in VIES. The validation may not update straight away after your tax authority activates your number.
The number was entered incorrectly. Check for typos and make sure it includes your country code.
You can check your number yourself with the VIES VAT number validation tool.
💬 Valid in VIES but still not accepted? Re-enter your VAT number in Settings > Company and save. If it still isn't accepted, contact our support team with your VAT number and we'll look into it for you.