Free tool
Portuguese and EU VAT number check
Check in real time whether a Portuguese or any EU VAT number is valid, using the official data of the European Commission VIES system. Get the consultation number and a PDF report in English to keep with your invoice.
- ✓Official VIES interface
- §EU and Portuguese legal basis
- #SHA-256 integrity proof
- €100% free, no sign-up
Check a VAT number
Confirms whether the number is active in VIES and shows the name and address, when available.
The result appears here.
Each check is sent directly to VIES. Some Member States may be temporarily unavailable — the status of each is shown in the list below.
Portuguese VAT numbers in brief
Format
PT followed by the 9-digit NIF (número de identificação fiscal). The last digit is a check digit, so iva.pt flags typing errors before querying VIES.
Who is in VIES
Only businesses registered for intra-Community transactions. A valid NIF that is not active in VIES cannot be used for VAT-exempt intra-Community supplies or reverse-charged B2B services.
Proof
Keep the consultation number or the PDF report with the invoice. It shows you checked your customer's VAT number before applying the exemption or the reverse charge.
Portuguese VAT in English
Portuguese VAT Code
The Código do IVA (CIVA) article by article in English, with the official Portuguese text alongside. Unofficial translation, kept in sync with the Tax and Customs Authority.
Intra-Community VAT (RITI)
Portugal's rules on intra-Community supplies and acquisitions of goods, exemptions and the recapitulative statement, in English.
Guides
Short answers with legal basis: checking a Portuguese VAT number, selling to Portuguese businesses, invoice requirements and more.
Member States covered
The 27 EU Member States and Northern Ireland. Tap a country to select it in the form. available unavailable
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Portuguese VAT number?
A Portuguese VAT number is the company's 9-digit tax number (NIF) with the prefix PT, for example PT515060445. Select PT — Portugal (or paste the number with its prefix) and press Simple check. The result comes directly from VIES, the European Commission system that connects the VAT databases of all Member States. Portugal returns the registered name and address of valid numbers.
Why is a valid Portuguese NIF shown as invalid in VIES?
A NIF is only active in VIES if the business is registered for intra-Community transactions with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (AT). Many companies and sole traders have a valid NIF in Portugal but are not registered in VIES. If you sell goods or B2B services to them, ask them to register (through a change of activity return on Portal das Finanças) or charge Portuguese VAT as appropriate.
What is the difference between a simple and a qualified check?
A simple check confirms whether the number is active in VIES and, where the Member State provides them, returns the registered name and address.
A qualified check is made on behalf of your company: you enter your own EU VAT number and the European Commission issues a unique consultation number that proves the check was made at that moment. It can also confirm whether the name and address you hold match the registered data.
Is it free?
Yes. VIES is free and iva.pt charges nothing and requires no sign-up. PDF reports are free too.
What does the PDF report contain?
The result, the data returned by VIES, the consultation number (qualified check), the EU and Portuguese legal basis, the email address it was sent to and a SHA-256 fingerprint anyone can use to confirm its authenticity at iva.pt/en/verify. Reports are available in English or Portuguese.
Which countries can I check?
All 27 EU Member States and Northern Ireland (prefix XI). Greek numbers use the prefix EL, not GR.
Is there an English translation of the Portuguese VAT Code?
Yes. iva.pt publishes an unofficial English translation of the Portuguese VAT Code (CIVA) and of the VAT Regime for Intra-Community Transactions (RITI), article by article, with the official Portuguese text on every page. Only the Portuguese text has legal force.
Is there an API?
Yes. A free JSON API and a remote MCP server for AI assistants are documented at iva.pt/en/api.