Look up a VAT number

    How to look up a VAT number in Belgium

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in Belgium

    Free basic search · no sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: EU VIES

    How do I look up and validate a VAT number in Belgium?

    Validate an exact Belgium VAT number using the free EU VIES service at https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/. VIES checks registration for intra-EU transactions; name and address availability varies. It is not a company-name search or a company-registration check. Cross-check the legal entity separately in KBO.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Open the EU VIES portal

      Go to https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/. VIES is the European Commission's official VAT verification service.

      https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/
    2. 2

      Select Belgium as the member state

      Choose the country code, then enter the VAT number without the country prefix.

    3. 3

      Read the response

      Record valid, invalid or service unavailable separately. Invalid can reflect non-activation for intra-EU transactions or a registration update, not just de-registration. Name and address may not be supplied by the national service.

    4. 4

      Cross-check in KBO

      For the underlying company registration number and status, search the same entity in KBO at https://kbopub.economie.fgov.be.

      https://kbopub.economie.fgov.be
    5. 5

      Save the timestamp

      Keep the queried country, VAT number, result, timestamp and consultation reference where supplied. Evidence requirements depend on the transaction and authority; this response alone is not tax advice.

    Open EU VIESAll Belgium records

    Belgium: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Use KBO/BCE Public Search to identify the enterprise and its establishment units. Open the enterprise record first, then inspect any establishment unit relevant to the address you were given.
    Confirm the entity
    Compare the enterprise number, legal name, legal form and status. Distinguish the enterprise from a local establishment; the latter can have a different address without being a different contracting entity.

    Check current access and document options on the official KBO/BCE site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the Belgium registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is checking a Belgium VAT number free?

    Yes — the EU VIES service at https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/ is free, official, and does not require registration.

    What does an invalid VIES response mean for a Belgium VAT number?

    It means the VAT number is not currently registered for intra-EU trade — either it was never valid, was de-registered, or is only registered for domestic transactions.

    Can I look up a Belgium VAT number from a company name?

    VIES does not support name search. Ask the supplier for its VAT number and verify it. KBO can help identify the company, but do not assume its record includes a VAT number.

    People also ask about look up and validate a VAT number in Belgium

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the Belgium company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the KBO/BCE are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official Belgium business registry?

    The KBO/BCE is the official public register of companies incorporated in Belgium. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/.

    How do I check if a Belgium VAT number is valid?

    Use the EU VIES service (ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/) or the KBO/BCE. Enter the VAT number without spaces and pick Belgium from the country dropdown. A valid number returns the registered trading name and address; an invalid one returns "not valid".

    What does a Belgium VAT number look like?

    A Belgium VAT number always begins with the country's ISO code and is followed by the national numeric identifier. The exact length and check-digit rule depends on the country — see the format examples in the step-by-step above.

    Related guides and tools

    More Belgium guides

    Belgium data