If you run a Italian company and sell across Europe, you will often need VAT numbers in other EU countries, not only in Italy. Each country has its own registration, number and returns. This guide explains when you need them and how the process usually works, whether you hold stock abroad with Amazon FBA Pan-EU or ship cross-border.
When a Italian company needs VAT in another EU country
- You store stock in another country, for example Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland or Czechia with FBA Pan-EU.
- You sell from stock located in that country to its customers.
- You move your own goods between countries, which often triggers a registration in the destination.
If you only ship to consumers in other EU countries from stock in your own country, the OSS scheme may let you declare that VAT in a single return. Local stock still needs local registration. See the guides for sellers for details by country.
How the process usually works
- Decide which countries you need, based on where stock is and where you sell.
- Prepare company documents and your home VAT number; some countries ask for translations or legalised copies.
- Apply to each country’s tax authority, directly or with a fiscal representative where required.
- Receive each VAT number and start filing returns on that country’s calendar.
What to keep under control
- A separate VAT number and returns for each country where you are registered.
- Intra-EU transfers of your own stock, recorded on both sides.
- Validating your numbers and your customers’ numbers on VIES.
- Filing deadlines, including periods with no sales.
EU companies can normally register directly without a fiscal representative, but this varies by country, so confirm the current requirement before you start.
Official sources: European Commission, Taxation and Customs Union, the VIES VAT number validation service and each country’s tax authority. Rules change, so verify current requirements before you act.
Need help?
Data Biz is a tax advisory based in Spain that works with e-commerce sellers across Europe. We can register your VAT numbers in each country and file the periodic returns, in English, so you deal with one advisor instead of one per country. Write to info@databiz.es or on WhatsApp.