What is the format of a Belgian VAT number?

A Belgian VAT number is the country code BE followed by 10 digits. The number originally had 9 digits; a leading 0 was added in 2008, so it now always starts with 0 (or occasionally 1).

How is the Belgian VAT check digit calculated?

Take the first eight digits as a number, compute 97 minus that number modulo 97, and the result must equal the last two digits of the VAT number.

Why does a 9-digit number fail?

Since 2008 Belgian VAT numbers are 10 digits with a leading zero. An old 9-digit number is missing that zero; prefix it with 0 and re-check.

Does a valid number mean the company is VAT-registered?

No. A passing check confirms the number is well-formed, not that it is active. Use the EU VIES service to confirm a number is currently registered for intra-EU trade.

Is my VAT number sent anywhere?

No. The check runs entirely in your browser; the number never leaves your device.

Belgium VAT Number Validator

A Belgian VAT number (numéro de TVA / BTW-nummer) identifies a business registered for value-added tax in Belgium and is the same as its enterprise number (numéro d’entreprise) with a BE prefix. You need a correct counterparty number on every B2B invoice. This free validator checks the structure and the modulo-97 check digit in your browser.

How it works

The number is BE plus 10 digits. The check is straightforward:

Strip the prefix and any spaces or dots, leaving 10 digits.
Take the first eight digits as an integer.
Compute 97 − (that integer mod 97).
The result must equal the last two digits.

Since 2008, Belgian VAT numbers always carry a leading 0 (the original format was nine digits), so a valid modern number starts with 0.

Example

BE0123456749: the first eight digits are 01234567. 01234567 mod 97 = 48, and 97 − 48 = 49, which matches the last two digits 49 — so this number is valid. Change any single digit and the computed check no longer matches; the validator shows the computed value next to the supplied one.

Notes

A passing check confirms internal consistency, not active registration. For live status, query the EU VIES portal. Everything here runs on your device.