Business
Form Z-05
Check a VAT number
Local, and only online when you ask
Explanation
Check a VAT number in three steps
Paste the number
BE 0403.170.701, 0403170701 or a number from another EU country with the country code in front.
Check digits
For a Belgian number Zegel checks modulo 97. For other countries it looks at the format.
Live in VIES
When you click, only the number goes to the European Commission. You see whether it’s active, often with name and address.
At the counter
Good to know
What goes to the European Commission?
Only the country code and the number, and only when you press the button. Zegel passes it on to VIES and returns the answer. Nothing is stored or logged.
What if VIES says the number isn’t valid?
Then the number isn’t active for intra-EU trade, or that country’s register was briefly unreachable. A Belgian business that only works in Belgium or uses the small business exemption can have an enterprise number without an active VAT number.
Is the enterprise number the same as the VAT number?
In Belgium both use the same ten digits. The VAT number is BE followed by the enterprise number, but not every business is liable for VAT.
Sources
What this tool relies on, with the date we checked it.
- GovernmentVIES, VAT Information Exchange System (REST API check-vat-number)
- GovernmentKBO Public Search (ondernemingsnummers)
Texts reviewed on 21 October 2026
Zegel checks and calculates, but gives no legal or tax advice. If in doubt, ask your accountant or the relevant authority.
For making invoices and keeping track of receipts, there’s Bureel, nealvdv’s business apps.
Business
In the same drawer
- Z-06Calculate VATFrom excluding to including VAT and back, at 21, 12, 6 or 0%.
- Z-07Peppol IDYour Peppol address for e-invoices, and whether a company is on Peppol yet.
- Z-08Bulk checkA whole list of IBANs, VAT numbers, structured communications or national numbers at once.
- ZAll toolsAll 13 Belgian chores at a glance