Look up a VAT number

    How to look up a VAT number in Spain

    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 Spain?

    Validate an exact Spain 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 Registro Mercantil Central.

    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 Spain 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 Registro Mercantil Central

      For the underlying company registration number and status, search the same entity in Registro Mercantil Central at https://www.rmc.es.

      https://www.rmc.es
    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 Spain records

    Spain: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Start with the legal name, NIF and province. The Registro Mercantil Central and provincial registers have different functions; follow the official document route to the register holding the company's file rather than treating name availability as incorporation evidence.
    Confirm the entity
    CIF is the older name often used for a company's NIF. Compare the exact legal entity and province; an ES-prefixed VAT check answers a tax question and is not a replacement for the commercial-register entry.

    Spanish company-capital legislation

    Check current access and document options on the official Registro Mercantil Central site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the Spain registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

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

    VIES does not support name search. Ask the supplier for its VAT number and verify it. Registro Mercantil Central 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 Spain

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

    Is the Spain company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Registro Mercantil Central 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 Spain business registry?

    The Registro Mercantil Central is the official public register of companies incorporated in Spain. 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 Spain VAT number is valid?

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

    What does a Spain VAT number look like?

    A Spain 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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