France VAT number: format and validation

By Remco from Avatcado

Format

FR followed by a 2-character key and the 9-digit SIREN. The local term is numero de TVA intracommunautaire (numero de TVA, French).

Pattern: /^[A-Z0-9]{2}\d{9}$/

  • The 2-character key can contain letters (any letter except I and O) as well as digits
  • The 9 digits are the company's SIREN, so the VAT number can be derived from the SIREN

Example of a registered number: FR 59 542 051 180

Check digit

France VAT numbers carry a check digit (MOD 97 key): For numeric keys, the two-character key validates the SIREN through (12 + 3 x (SIREN mod 97)) mod 97.

Check a France VAT number

Validated live against the Direction generale des Finances publiques (DGFiP) (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=FR59542051180" \
  -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: "FR59542051180",
});

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 are the French VAT registration thresholds?

In 2026 the franchise en base thresholds remain EUR 85,000 for goods and EUR 37,500 for services; the planned single lower threshold was scrapped by Parliament at the end of 2025.

How do I find a French company's VAT number?

Look the company up on annuaire-entreprises.data.gouv.fr, which displays the numero de TVA for every SIREN. It can also be computed directly from the SIREN with the mod 97 key formula.

Related guides

VAT rate in France

The standard VAT rate in France is 20%. Reduced rates: 10%, 5.5%, 2.1%. See all France VAT rates.

Sources