German VAT ID check: how to validate a DE number for free
A German VAT ID (in German: USt-IdNr.) consists of the country code DE followed by nine digits, for example DE123456789. It is issued by the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern, BZSt). You can check whether a German VAT ID is valid for free in the European Commission’s VIES system. For German numbers, VIES only answers "valid" or "not valid": it does not show the company name or address. To find out who is behind the number, check the commercial register.
How to check a German VAT ID in VIES
- Open the VIES page of the European Commission.
- Choose Germany as the member state and enter the nine digits without the DE prefix.
- Optionally enter your own VAT ID as the requester. You then receive a consultation number, which you can keep as proof of the check.
- Read the result: "valid" or "not valid". For Germany, no name or address is returned. That is normal, not an error.
Three German numbers that are often mixed up
| Number | Example | What it is for | Issued by |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAT ID (USt-IdNr.) | DE123456789 | Trade within the EU, stated on invoices | Federal Central Tax Office |
| Tax number (Steuernummer) | Format varies by federal state | Tax returns at the local tax office | Local tax office |
| Registration number | Amtsgericht München HRB 12345 | Entry in the commercial register | Register court |
A company you trade with across EU borders normally gives you its VAT ID. The tax number is used for domestic tax matters. The registration number identifies the company in the commercial register and is explained in German company registration number.
Can I find a German VAT ID by company name?
Not in VIES: the system checks a number, it does not search by name. Many German companies state their VAT ID in the imprint (Impressum) of their website and on their invoices. If you only have the company name and need to confirm the company itself, use the commercial register; how to do that is explained in How to check a German company.
Frequently asked questions
What does a German VAT ID look like?
A German VAT ID starts with the country code DE followed by nine digits, for example DE123456789. It is issued by the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).
How can I check a German VAT ID for free?
In the VIES system of the European Commission: choose Germany, enter the nine digits and start the check. The result shows whether the number is currently valid.
Why does VIES not show the name of a German company?
Germany does not publish name and address data through VIES. For German VAT IDs, VIES only confirms whether the number is valid. Use the commercial register to see which company is behind it.
Is the VAT ID the same as the German tax number?
No. The VAT ID (DE plus nine digits) is used for trade within the EU and is issued by the Federal Central Tax Office. The tax number (Steuernummer) is assigned by the local tax office for tax returns.
Is the VAT ID the same as the HRB number?
No. The HRB number identifies the entry in the commercial register and is assigned by the register court. The VAT ID is a tax number for EU trade and is issued by the Federal Central Tax Office.
Sources
- VIES VAT number validation, European Commission, retrieved 13.10.2026
- Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt): VAT identification number, retrieved 13.10.2026
- § 27a UStG: issue of the VAT identification number, official German statute text, retrieved 13.10.2026