Look up a VAT number

    How to look up a VAT number in Portugal

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

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

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

    Validate an exact Portugal 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 Registo Comercial / IRN.

    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 Portugal 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 Registo Comercial / IRN

      For the underlying company registration number and status, search the same entity in Registo Comercial / IRN at https://eportugal.gov.pt.

      https://eportugal.gov.pt
    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 Portugal records

    Frequently asked questions

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

    VIES does not support name search. Ask the supplier for its VAT number and verify it. Registo Comercial / IRN 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 Portugal

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

    Is the Portugal company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Registo Comercial / IRN 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 Portugal business registry?

    The Registo Comercial / IRN is the official public register of companies incorporated in Portugal. 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 Portugal VAT number is valid?

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

    What does a Portugal VAT number look like?

    A Portugal 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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