ℹ️ Who this applies to: Since October 2025, bsport applies EU VAT rules to all companies and associations using bsport in the European Union (outside France). If you don't have a valid intra-community VAT number registered in your back office, VAT is added to your bsport invoices.
Why is VAT applied?
bsport provides software-as-a-service (SaaS), which the European Union classifies as an "electronically supplied service". Under EU law, these services are taxed differently depending on whether the client has a valid intra-community VAT number (often called an "EU VAT number" or "VIES" number).
You have a valid intra-community VAT number: No VAT is applied to your invoice. You are considered a taxable business, and you declare the VAT yourself in your own country (this is called the "reverse-charge mechanism").
You don't have a valid intra-community VAT number: You are considered a non-taxable person (like a consumer). bsport is required to add VAT to your invoices at your country's local rate (e.g. Germany 19%, Spain 21%, Italy 22%).
This is not a decision made by bsport. It comes directly from the EU VAT Directive (2006/112/EC, Article 58) and the VAT e-commerce package that entered into force on 1 July 2021, and it applies to all software providers in the EU.
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. This is the number that exempts you from VAT on bsport invoices.
⚠️ Having a VAT number isn't always enough: Many businesses have a domestic VAT number that has never been activated for intra-community operations. In that case, the number is valid in your country but not in VIES, so it will show as invalid in your bsport back office and VAT will still be charged.
You can check whether your number is registered in VIES using the official EU tool: VIES VAT number validation.
When is VAT charged?
EU companies with a valid intra-community VAT number: No VAT is charged.
EU companies without a valid intra-community VAT number: VAT is charged at your local rate.
EU associations with a valid intra-community VAT number: No VAT is charged.
EU associations without a valid intra-community VAT number: VAT is charged, as the association is considered an "end consumer".
Non-EU clients (UK, Switzerland, USA, Canada, etc.): No VAT is charged, as they are outside EU VAT rules.
Will this cost me more?
Businesses and VAT-registered associations: No. VAT is not a cost, as it can be reclaimed through your local tax return.
Associations and entities not registered for VAT: Yes. VAT is a cost, since only VAT-registered entities can recover it.
Add your VAT number to your back office
Log in to your back office.
Go to Settings > Company > VAT identification number.
Enter your intra-community VAT number, including your country code (e.g. DE, ES, IT).
Save.
✅ Tip: Check your number on VIES before entering it. If VIES shows it as valid, it should be accepted in your back office too.
My VAT number shows as invalid in the back office
Your back office checks your VAT number against the EU VIES database. If it shows as invalid, it's usually for one of these reasons:
Your number isn't registered in VIES. It may be a domestic VAT number that hasn't been activated for intra-community operations. See the next section to get it registered.
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.
💬 Valid in VIES but still invalid in your back office? Re-enter your VAT number in Settings > Company and save. If it still shows as invalid, contact our support team with your VAT number and we'll look into it for you.
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. If you don't have one yet, apply to your national tax authority. You'll typically need your business registration documents, ID for your legal representative, and proof of activity (e.g. website, invoices, contracts).
Ask your tax authority to activate your number for intra-community operations. Once this is done, your number will be listed in VIES.
Check your number on VIES.
Add it to your back office in Settings > Company > VAT identification number.
⏳ Apply early: The process depends on your country and usually takes at least three weeks, sometimes up to 8 weeks. VAT will be charged on your invoices until your number is valid, so we recommend applying as soon as possible. Your accountant can help with the application.
Find your national tax authority below, or see the European Commission's full list of national tax administrations.
Country | Tax authority | Website |
Austria | Finanzamt Österreich | finanzonline.bmf.gv.at |
Belgium | SPF Finances / FOD Financiën | finances.belgium.be |
Germany | Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) & local Finanzämter | bzst.de |
Ireland | Revenue Commissioners | revenue.ie |
Italy | Agenzia delle Entrate | agenziaentrate.gov.it |
Luxembourg | AED – Administration de l'enregistrement, des domaines et de la TVA | aed.public.lu |
Netherlands | Belastingdienst | belastingdienst.nl |
Poland | KAS / Ministerstwo Finansów | podatki.gov.pl |
Portugal | Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) | portaldasfinancas.gov.pt |
Romania | ANAF – National Agency for Fiscal Administration | anaf.ro |
Spain | AEAT – Agencia Tributaria | sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es |
Key takeaways
EU clients without a valid intra-community VAT number are charged VAT at their local rate.
A domestic VAT number must be activated for intra-community operations and listed in VIES to be accepted.
Associations are treated the same as companies: no VAT only if they have a valid intra-community VAT number.
Non-EU clients are not charged VAT.
Businesses and VAT-registered associations can reclaim VAT, so it's not a real cost. Associations or entities not registered for VAT bear the VAT.
💡 Not sure about your VAT status? Please check with your accountant or your national tax authority. You can also read our article on the European VAT number.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What if I add my VAT number later?
Once you enter a valid intra-community VAT number, VAT will stop being applied to future invoices. For past invoices, you can reclaim VAT through your local tax return with your accountant.
2. I already entered my VAT number. How do I know if it's valid?
Your VAT number must be valid in the EU VIES system. You can check it with the VIES validation tool. If it's invalid, VAT will still be charged.
3. I have a VAT number from my country. Why isn't it accepted?
Your number is most likely a domestic VAT number that hasn't been activated for intra-community operations, so it isn't listed in VIES. Ask your tax authority to activate it (see How to get your VAT number registered in VIES above).
4. I am outside the EU. Do I need to do anything?
No. Clients outside the EU (e.g. UK, Switzerland, USA) are not charged VAT.
5. I am a French association with VAT exemption. Do I pay VAT?
If you are exempt, you must send us an attestation de non-assujettissement. Without this, French VAT will apply.
6. Can I recover VAT charged on bsport invoices?
Yes, if you are VAT-registered. Your accountant will reclaim it through your VAT return. Associations or non-VAT-registered entities cannot recover VAT.
7. How long does it take to get an intra-community VAT number?
It depends on your country, but it typically takes 3 to 8 weeks. We recommend applying as soon as possible.