Belgium VAT number format
By Jose PollmanPublished Updated
The shape
A number written in full begins BE, then:
- 10 digits
Format examples
Both show the shape only. Neither is a real registration, and neither will resolve to a company.
BE0123456789BE0987654321
The pattern
This is the regular expression this site applies, after the prefix has been stripped. It is the same expression the checker runs, not a description of it.
^[01]\d{9}$Where to verify it
A Belgium number can be looked up live in VIES, the European Commission's own service, which answers whether it is currently registered. This site queries VIES directly — paste the number into the form and it runs the same lookup.
KBO/BCE is read as well on every check, which is where a company in liquidation, insolvent or struck off becomes visible. VIES reports only whether the number is registered.
What people get wrong
- The country code goes at the beginning, never the end, and it is part of the number: BE first, then the digits. Invoices print it both ways and some systems store it without the prefix, so if a check fails, try it with and without.
- Numbers here can start with a zero, and a spreadsheet will silently drop it. A number one digit short is usually this.
- The ondernemingsnummer / numéro d’entreprise is a different number. Suppliers print both, and the one on a purchase order is often not the VAT number.
Run a vendor check →Registry, IBAN, EU sanctions and sending domain, in one pass. Free, no signup.
Invoice Checker →Drop in a supplier’s invoice, or paste its text, and the VAT numbers, bank accounts and email domains on it are read out in your browser — the file itself is never uploaded. Correct anything misread, then run every check at once.