Overview
VIES on-the-Web is the European Commission’s public interface to the VAT Information Exchange System, the network through which EU tax administrations exchange VAT-registration data and information on intra-Community supplies[1]. A query is sent over a secure network to the database of the member state that issued the number, and the reply returns within seconds; the Commission stresses that there is no EU-level VAT database[1].
Its coverage is 27 member states plus Northern Ireland under the XI code[2]. Entering one’s own VAT number as requester produces a unique consultation number, which the Commission advises archiving as proof of the check[1]. A SOAP web service offers the same function to software, and a REST status endpoint reports each national database’s availability[1][2].
The limits are documented by the Commission itself. Name and address are shown only where the issuing state permits; otherwise they appear as “—“. Batch requests are not supported, national databases have scheduled maintenance windows, and concurrency limits can reject requests at busy times[1]. Numbers held by businesses not registered for intra-EU trade in some states may show as invalid even when correct[1]. GB numbers have not been covered since 1 January 2021[1].
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) features
- Real-time query of the issuing member state's database
- Consultation number when requester VAT number is entered
- XI-Northern Ireland numbers
- SOAP web service
- REST status endpoint for national database availability
- Name and address where the member state allows
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) pricing
Free. No account required. Batch requests are not supported.
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) strengths and limitations
Strengths
- Authoritative: answers come from the issuing state's database
- Free consultation number for audit trails
- Covers Northern Ireland XI numbers
- Machine access through SOAP
Limitations
- No batch requests
- Name and address withheld by some member states
- Scheduled national outages and concurrency limits
- Does not cover GB, Swiss or Norwegian numbers
- Cannot search by company name
Appears in
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) alternatives and competitors
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