Ireland VAT number: format and validation

By Remco from Avatcado

Format

IE followed by 7 digits and 1 or 2 letters, or the older style of 1 digit, 1 letter, 5 digits, and 1 letter. The local term is VAT registration number (VAT No, English) or Cain Bhreisluacha (CBL, Irish).

Pattern: /^(\d{7}[A-Z]{1,2}|\d[A-Z]\d{5}[A-Z])$/

  • Two formats coexist: the older 8-character style with a letter in second position and the current 7 digits plus 1-2 trailing letters; 9-character numbers ending in two letters have been issued to new registrants since 2013
  • The final letter of the 7-digit style is a check character, and a second trailing letter, when present, feeds into the checksum rather than being decorative

Example of a registered number: IE6388047V

Check digit

Ireland VAT numbers carry a check digit (MOD 23 letter check): The 7 digits are weighted 8 down to 2 (plus 9 times the second trailing letter's value when present), summed, and the sum mod 23 selects the check letter.

Check a Ireland VAT number

Validated live against the Revenue (Office of the Revenue Commissioners) (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=IE6388047V" \
  -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: "IE6388047V",
});

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 VAT registration thresholds in Ireland?

Since 1 January 2025 the principal thresholds are EUR 42,500 for businesses supplying only services and EUR 85,000 for goods. Separate limits apply for EU acquisitions (EUR 41,000) and EU-wide distance sales (EUR 10,000); below the threshold, registration is optional.

What is Ireland's two-tier VAT registration?

Since June 2019 applicants choose between a domestic-only and an intra-EU registration. Domestic-only covers Irish and non-EU trade and is faster to obtain, while intra-EU status is required for intra-Community trade and needs extra evidence; a domestic-only registrant can upgrade at any time.

Related guides

VAT rate in Ireland

The standard VAT rate in Ireland is 23%. Reduced rates: 13.5%, 9%, 4.8%. See all Ireland VAT rates.

Sources