VAT Validation API

Overview

The VAT Validation API allows you to validate VAT numbers against the official VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) service provided by the European Commission. It includes features like caching results to improve performance and reduce load on the VIES service.

Key Features

• Real-time validation of EU VAT numbers
• 24-hour caching of results to improve performance
• Company information retrieval (name and address)
• Format validation before sending to VIES
• Comprehensive error handling
• API key authentication
• Rate limiting protection

Base URL

How it Works

The API connects to the European Commission's VIES service to validate VAT numbers. When you submit a VAT number, the API performs these steps:

1. 1Checks the format of the provided VAT number
2. 2Looks for a cached result in the database (less than 24 hours old)
3. 3If no cache is found, validates the number with the VIES service
4. 4Stores the result in the database for future requests
5. 5Returns the validation result, company information, and metadata