VAT Number Verification Guide
Learn how to verify German and EU VAT numbers using official databases and services.
Verification Methods
🌍 EU VIES
The VAT Information Exchange System verifies VAT IDs across all EU member states.
Provides: Validity status only
🇩🇪 BZSt Simple
German tax authority's basic verification service.
Provides: Validity status
🇩🇪 BZSt Qualified
Enhanced verification with name and address confirmation.
Provides: Validity + Name + Address match
Comparison
| Feature | VIES | BZSt Simple | BZSt Qualified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Name verification | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Address verification | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Audit documentation | Basic | Basic | Full |
| All EU countries | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
⚠️ Important
For significant transactions, always use the qualified confirmation (qualifizierte Bestätigung). It provides documentary evidence that may be required during tax audits.
Result Codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Data matches |
| B | Data does not match |
| C | Not checked (country doesn't support) |
| D | Invalid VAT ID |
Record Keeping
Keep verification records for at least 10 years. Store VIES query results, BZSt confirmation letters, and transaction details as part of your tax documentation.