Belgium VAT number: format and validation

By Remco from Avatcado

Format

BE followed by 10 digits starting with 0 or 1. The local term is btw-identificatienummer (btw-nummer, Dutch) or numero d'identification a la TVA (numero de TVA, French).

Pattern: /^[01]\d{9}$/

  • Identical to the company's KBO/BCE enterprise number; domestically written with dots (0417.497.106)
  • Numbers starting with 1 are issued as the historic 0-series nears exhaustion; old 9-digit VAT numbers were converted by adding a leading 0

Example of a registered number: BE 0417.497.106

Check digit

Belgium VAT numbers carry a check digit (MOD 97): The last two digits equal 97 minus (the first eight digits mod 97).

Check a Belgium VAT number

Validated live against the FPS Finance (FOD Financien / SPF Finances) (official register).

Enter a VAT number to see the live API response

Validate via API

The same validation as an API call, with the example number above:

curl "https://api.avatcado.com/v1/validate?vat_number=BE0417497106" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer avat_live_your_api_key"
import Avatcado from "@avatcado/node";

const avatcado = new Avatcado("avat_live_your_api_key");
const { data, error } = await avatcado.vat.validate({
  vatNumber: "BE0417497106",
});

if (data?.data.valid) {
  console.log(`Registered: ${data.data.company?.name}`);
}

Free tier includes 500 validations per month. Get an API key or read the API documentation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the VAT registration threshold in Belgium?

All businesses must activate their enterprise number for VAT, but the franchise regime exempts businesses with annual turnover up to EUR 25,000 from charging VAT.

How do I look up a Belgian VAT number?

Use the KBO/BCE Public Search (kbopub.economie.fgov.be) by enterprise number or company name. The VAT number is the enterprise number with the BE prefix.

Related guides

VAT rate in Belgium

The standard VAT rate in Belgium is 21%. Reduced rates: 12%, 6%. See all Belgium VAT rates.

Sources