Look up a VAT number

    How to look up a VAT number in France

    Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.

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    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamLast verified June 2026Primary source: EU VIES

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

    Validate a France VAT number for free using the EU VIES service at https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/. VIES returns "valid" plus the legal name and address on file. Cross-check the same entity in Infogreffe for the underlying registration number.

    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 France as the member state

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

    3. 3

      Read the response

      A "valid" response with legal name and address means the VAT number is genuinely registered. "Invalid" means it is not, or the trader has been de-registered.

    4. 4

      Cross-check in Infogreffe

      For the underlying company registration number and status, search the same entity in Infogreffe at https://www.infogreffe.fr.

      https://www.infogreffe.fr
    5. 5

      Save the timestamp

      Keep the VIES timestamp for your records — this is the evidence tax authorities accept for reverse-charge invoicing.

    Open EU VIESAll France records

    Frequently asked questions

    Is checking a France 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 France 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 France VAT number from a company name?

    VIES doesn't support name search. Use Infogreffe (https://www.infogreffe.fr) to find the company's VAT number by name, then validate it on VIES.

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

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

    Is the France company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Infogreffe / INSEE 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 France business registry?

    The Infogreffe / INSEE is the official public register of companies incorporated in France. 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 France VAT number is valid?

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

    What does a France VAT number look like?

    A France 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.

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