Cos'è il sistema VIES e chi lo gestisce?

VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) è il sistema ufficiale della Commissione Europea che permette di verificare la validità delle partite IVA registrate ai fini IVA intracomunitaria nei paesi dell'Unione Europea.

La verifica avviene interamente nel browser?

La verifica interroga il servizio ufficiale VIES dell'UE in tempo reale: a differenza di altri strumenti del sito, questo richiede una richiesta al sistema europeo per ottenere il risultato aggiornato, non un calcolo puramente locale.

Cosa significa se una partita IVA risulta "non valida"?

Può significare che la partita IVA non è registrata, non è attiva ai fini intracomunitari, oppure che il database nazionale non è ancora aggiornato su VIES. In caso di dubbio è consigliabile verificare direttamente con l'azienda o l'Agenzia delle Entrate.

Funziona per partite IVA di tutti i paesi?

Funziona per tutti i paesi membri dell'Unione Europea. Le partite IVA di paesi extra-UE non sono coperte dal sistema VIES.

Free Online VAT Number Checker — Instant VIES Verification

When to use VAT number verification via VIES

This tool queries the European Union's official VIES system to check whether an EU VAT number is valid and active, returning the result in seconds.

When to use it

You need to verify that a European supplier's or client's VAT number is valid before issuing or recording an intra-EU invoice.
You want to quickly check a VAT number's status without accessing the European Commission's VIES portal directly.
You need to check several VAT numbers during your daily work, for example for administrative or accounting purposes.

When NOT to use it

You need a formal verification with evidentiary value to attach to a tax filing: in that case, use the official printout/receipt from the VIES portal itself.
You need to verify non-EU VAT numbers: the VIES system only covers European Union member states.

Alternatives

The European Commission's official VIES portal for direct verification with a printable receipt of evidentiary value.
The Agenzia delle Entrate's VAT verification service for Italian VAT numbers, with additional details not covered by VIES.

Common mistakes

Treating "invalid" on VIES as meaning "doesn't exist": a VAT number can temporarily show as not found due to update delays in national databases.
Forgetting the country prefix (e.g. IT, DE, FR) when entering the VAT number to check.
Not saving proof of the verification when it's needed for tax purposes: use the official receipt from the VIES portal for that.

Frequently asked questions about VAT number verification

VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is the European Commission's official system for verifying the validity of VAT numbers registered for intra-EU VAT purposes across European Union countries.

The check queries the EU's official VIES service in real time: unlike other tools on this site, this requires a request to the European system to get the up-to-date result, not a purely local calculation.

It can mean the VAT number isn't registered, isn't active for intra-EU purposes, or that the national database isn't yet updated on VIES. If in doubt, it's best to check directly with the company or the relevant tax authority.

It works for all European Union member states. VAT numbers from non-EU countries aren't covered by the VIES system.

🏦 Verifica e Controllo Partita IVA Comunitaria

How VAT number verification works via VIES