Each EU country uses a different name for VAT and for its VAT number, and every number starts with a two-letter country code followed by digits or letters. For example: USt-IdNr. in Germany (DE + 9 digits), Partita IVA in Italy (IT + 11 digits) or NIP in Poland (PL + 10 digits). This guide covers eight countries where Amazon stock is commonly held.
Data reviewed on 1 October 2026. This guide is informational and is not tax advice for your specific case.
What VAT and the VAT number are called in each country
| Country | Name of VAT | Name of the VAT number | Format | Tax authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Umsatzsteuer (USt) or Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt) | Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer (USt-IdNr.) | DE + 9 digits | Finanzamt (local tax office) |
| France | Taxe sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA) | Numéro de TVA intracommunautaire | FR + 11 characters | Service des impôts des entreprises (SIE) |
| Italy | Imposta sul valore aggiunto (IVA) | Partita IVA | IT + 11 digits | Agenzia delle Entrate |
| Spain | Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido (IVA) | NIF-IVA (NIF with the ES prefix) | ES + 9 characters | Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) |
| Poland | Podatek od towarów i usług (VAT) | Numer identyfikacji podatkowej (NIP) | PL + 10 digits | Urząd Skarbowy |
| Czechia | Daň z přidané hodnoty (DPH) | Daňové identifikační číslo (DIČ) | CZ + 8, 9 or 10 digits | Finanční úřad |
| Netherlands | Belasting over de toegevoegde waarde (BTW) | BTW-identificatienummer (BTW-id) | NL + 12 characters (letter B in the third position from the end) | Belastingdienst |
| Estonia | Käibemaks (km) | KMKR-number (VAT-registered taxable person number) | EE + 9 digits | Maksu- ja Tolliamet (EMTA) |
Formats come from industry guides and EU listings. Always check a specific number in the official VIES system before using it.
How to read a VAT number
The number starts with the two-letter country code (DE, FR, IT, ES, PL, CZ, NL, EE) followed by the national identifier. In some countries the identifier includes letters (France, Spain, the Netherlands); in others it is digits only (Germany, Italy, Poland, Estonia). In Czechia the length varies from 8 to 10 digits.
How to check that a VAT number is valid
The European Commission offers the VIES system, which confirms whether an intra-EU VAT number is active. Checking before you invoice a business customer or enter a number in Seller Central helps you avoid errors in intra-EU transactions.
Common mistakes with VAT numbers
- Confusing the national tax number with the VAT number. In Germany, for example, the Steuernummer and the USt-IdNr. are different identifiers.
- Entering the prefix incorrectly, or leaving it out, in the VAT settings of Seller Central.
- Trusting the format without validating the number in VIES.
- Assuming one number covers the whole EU. If Amazon stores your stock in several countries, you need a registration in each one. See our guide on how to get a VAT number in other European countries to sell on Amazon.
About VAT rates
VAT rates change over time. For example, Estonia has applied 24% since 1 July 2025. For other countries, always check the EU’s official taxes database (TEDB) before pricing.
How Data Biz helps
At Data Biz we handle VAT registrations in Estonia, Germany, France, Italy and Spain and file the returns. See our page on EU VAT returns for ecommerce or first read our guide to EU ecommerce VAT and the One-Stop Shop.
Frequently asked questions
Does my Spanish VAT number work in other countries? It works for intra-EU transactions registered in Spain, but it does not replace a local registration when you hold stock in another country.
What is VIES? It is the European Commission system for verifying intra-EU VAT numbers.
What is the Estonian VAT number called? It is called the KMKR number and is written EE followed by 9 digits.
Sources and review
Names and formats: Hellotax, VAT number format in Europe and LookupTax, VAT names by country. Number checks: VIES, European Commission. Rates: TEDB, European Commission. Estonian VAT: Thompson&Stein. Reviewed on 1 October 2026.
Official sources: Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA), VAT and e-Residency, taxation in Estonia.
Customer reviews: read what clients say about Data Biz on Trustpilot.
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- VAT Adviser for Amazon Sellers: What It Should Include and How to Choose One
- EU Ecommerce VAT: One-Stop Shop (OSS), the EUR 10,000 Threshold and Registration by Country
- How to Get a VAT Number in Other European Countries to Sell on Amazon
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