Quick Answer
To check if a company is VAT registered in the UK, use the free online VAT number checker on the UK government website or the EU VIES tool, entering the company’s VAT number. You can also ask the company directly for their VAT number and cross-check it. If a business is genuinely VAT registered, its VAT number must appear on invoices and its VAT registration certificate.
Method 1: Use the Official VAT Checker Tool
The quickest and most reliable way is to use the official UK government VAT number checking service. You will need the company’s VAT number, which should be printed on their invoices, website, or VAT registration certificate. Entering this number confirms whether it is currently valid and, in many cases, shows the registered business name associated with it.
Method 2: Ask the Company Directly
If you do not already have the VAT number, ask the company directly, either by phone, email, or by checking their invoice or website footer, where VAT numbers are commonly displayed. A legitimate VAT registered business should have no issue providing this number when asked, since it is public information tied to their registration.
What a Valid UK VAT Number Looks Like
A standard UK VAT number consists of the letters GB followed by nine digits, sometimes with three additional digits for certain government departments. If a number does not follow this format, or the checker tool returns no match, treat this as a sign to investigate further before assuming the company is VAT registered.
Why This Matters
- Confirming VAT registration helps verify a business is legitimate and properly set up, which matters for larger transactions or new supplier relationships
- You should only be charged VAT by a business that is genuinely registered, so checking protects you from being incorrectly charged VAT by an unregistered supplier
- If you are VAT registered yourself and want to reclaim VAT on a purchase, the supplier’s VAT registration and a valid VAT invoice are required for your own records
What to Do If a Company’s VAT Number Does Not Check Out
- Double check you have entered the number correctly, since a small typo will return a no-match result
- Contact the company directly and ask them to confirm or correct the number
- If the number still does not check out, treat this as a warning sign, particularly if VAT has already been charged to you on an invoice
- Consider reporting the matter to HMRC if you suspect a business is fraudulently charging VAT without being registered
Checking International or EU Businesses
For businesses based in EU countries, the VIES, VAT Information Exchange System, tool run by the European Commission allows you to check VAT registration status across EU member states using the company’s VAT number and country code. This is useful when dealing with suppliers or clients outside the UK.
Do Small Businesses Have to Be VAT Registered?
Not necessarily. In the UK, VAT registration only becomes mandatory once a business’s taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 within a twelve month period. Smaller businesses below this threshold can register voluntarily but are not required to, which is why not every legitimate small business will have a VAT number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is checking a company’s VAT number free?
Yes, the official UK government VAT checker and the EU VIES tool are both free to use.
What does it mean if a VAT number does not check out?
It could mean a typo, an outdated number, or in some cases indicate the business is not genuinely VAT registered, which is worth clarifying directly with them.
Can a company charge VAT if it is not registered?
No, only VAT registered businesses are legally allowed to charge VAT, so being charged VAT by an unregistered business would be improper.
Do all businesses need to be VAT registered?
No, only once taxable turnover exceeds the current VAT registration threshold, though smaller businesses can register voluntarily.
Where do I find a company’s VAT number?
Usually on their invoices, website footer, or VAT registration certificate, or you can ask the company directly.