This guide explains how to fix the Invalid VAT Number error. For other VAT queries you can find further help in our VAT Help Centre >

When saving a customer or supplier record, or when clicking OK in Company Preferences after updating the VAT tab, the following message may appear:

'Invalid VAT Number
The format of the VAT Number entered is invalid for the selected country.'

This happens if the format of the VAT number you enter isn't recognised by the Validate VAT Numbers feature. A common reason is if you've included the country code in the VAT Number box. Don't worry, this error is easy to fix in a few simple steps.

1. Ensure there's no country code shown in the VAT number box. If you're using an EU VAT number which requires a country code, instead proceed to step 2.
2. View the country list on the link below and find the required country, then check that the format of the VAT number matches. View country list >

   Country	Country Code	Format	No of Characters	Notes
   Austria	AT	U12345678	9	1st char will always be a U.
   Belgium	BE	0123456789	10	Prefix any 9-digit number with a 0.
   Bulgaria	BG	1234567890	9 or 10
   Croatia	HR	12345678901	11	This is only validated and included in the EC sales list in Sage Accounts 2014.
   Cyprus	CY	12345678X	9	Last character must be a letter.
   Czech Rep	CZ	12345678 or 123456789 or 1234567890	8, 9 or 10	Where 11, 12 or 13 numbers are quoted – delete the first 3 as these are a tax code.
   Denmark	DK	12345678	8
   Estonia	EE	123456789	9
   Finland	FI	12345678	8
   France	FR	12345678901, X1234567890, 1X123456789 or XX123456789	11	May include an alpha character(s) either 1st, 2nd or 1st and 2nd. All alpha chars are valid other than I and O.
   Germany	DE	123456789	9	Must be the 9 digit.
   Great Britain	XU	123456789	9	Read more >
   Greece	GR	012345678	9	For further information about the Greek code: EL / GR please refer to ASE .
   Hungary	HU	12345678	8
   Ireland	IE	1234567X, 1X23456X or 1234567XX	8 or 9	Includes 1 or 2 alpha chars in either the last or 2nd and last position. The last character is normally A or H. Issue with nine digit Irish VAT numbers >
   Italy	IT	12345678901	11
   Latvia	LV	12345678901	11
   Lithuania	LT	123456789 or 123456789012	9 or 12
   Luxembourg	LU	12345678	8
   Malta	MT	12345678	8
   Netherlands	NL	123456789B01	12	The 10th digit is always B. The 3 digit suffix will always be in the range B01 - B99.
   Northern Ireland	XI	123456789	9	Read more >
   Poland	PL	1234567890	10
   Portugal	PT	123456789	9
   Romania	RO	1234567890	2 - 10	Minimum of 2 digits and maximum of 10 digits.
   Slovak Rep	SK	1234567890	10
   Slovenia	SI	12345678	8
   Spain	ES	X12345678, 12345678X or X1234567X	9	Includes 1 or 2 alpha characters, either 1st or last, or first and last.
   Sweden	SE	123456789001	12
   UK	GB	123456789	9

   NOTE: If the country you are looking for is not listed, to confirm the correct format please contact  HMRC or Revenue.

3. If the VAT number format is correct, click Settings then click Company Preferences.
4. Click the VAT tab, clear the Validate VAT Number check box then click OK.
5. Enter the VAT registration number as required.
6. If you want to, you can switch the Validate VAT Number option back on.

Northern Ireland only - If you produce an EC sales list, and have been processing under an invalid VAT Number, once the error message has been resolved, you must delete and enter any EC sales transactions again. Otherwise, an invalid VAT number message may appear when running your EC sales list.

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