VAT ID check: automated via VIES and BZSt
Check and document the validity, name and address of your EU business customers automatically, straight from ERP, shop or CRM.
Anyone supplying businesses within the EU needs the customer’s valid VAT identification number. Only then is the supply VAT-exempt. Checks run through VIES, the European Commission’s system, or through the German Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).
Doing this by hand is tedious with many customers and easily forgotten. BARNICOM builds the check directly into ERP, shop or CRM: on creation, regularly for all customers and with a log that can be presented in a tax audit.
Why the check matters
VAT exemption depends on it
Intra-community supplies are only VAT-exempt if the customer has a valid VAT ID at the time of supply. If it is invalid, back payment of VAT may be due.
Proof of good faith
To rely on good faith in case of doubt, German businesses need a qualified confirmation that also checks name and address.
Online only
Since July 20, 2025, the German Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) confirms foreign VAT IDs only through its online service, no longer by phone or letter (report).
What each check provides
Three ways to check a VAT ID. For automated checks, we connect the interfaces directly to your systems.
| VIES (European Commission) | BZSt simple confirmation | BZSt qualified confirmation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is checked | Validity of the number | Validity of the number | Validity plus name, city, postcode and street |
| Who can check | anyone | businesses with a German VAT ID | businesses with a German VAT ID |
| Purpose | quick check, for example at checkout | confirmation of validity | proof of good faith |
| Can be automated | yes, via interface | yes, via interface | yes, via interface |
How we implement it
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Check on creation
When a business customer is created in ERP, shop or CRM, the number is checked immediately.
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Regular re-checks
All customer numbers are checked again at fixed intervals, for example monthly.
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Audit log
Every lookup is archived with result and timestamp, ready for a tax audit.
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Alerts
Invalid numbers or mismatching data are reported before a VAT-exempt invoice goes out.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to check my customers’ VAT IDs?
For intra-community supplies to be VAT-exempt, the customer must hold a valid VAT ID. Checking before delivery is therefore strongly recommended, and the qualified confirmation serves as proof.
What is the difference between VIES and BZSt?
VIES is the European Commission’s system and confirms whether a number is valid. The German Federal Central Tax Office additionally offers the qualified confirmation, which also matches name and address.
How often should we check?
When a customer is created and regularly afterwards, because numbers can become invalid. Many companies check monthly or before every invoice.
Can the check be built into Odoo, Shopware or our ERP?
Yes. We connect the VIES and BZSt interfaces to ERP, shop or CRM. We have already done this for Odoo, Lexware Office and custom systems.
What happens with an invalid number?
The supply is then usually not VAT-exempt. The check flags this before invoicing, so you can clarify how to proceed with the customer and your tax advisor.
From our projects
The information on this page is general in nature and does not replace tax advice. Please clarify individual tax questions with your tax advisor.
E-invoicing and VAT
Automate your VAT ID checks
We review your systems and build the check in where customers are created and invoices are written.