ERROR: 'The format of the VAT Number entered is invalid ...'

Summary

How to resolve the error 'The format of the VAT Number entered is invalid for the selected country' in Sage 50 Accounts.

Description

You can see the message 'Invalid VAT Number. The format of the VAT Number entered is invalid for the selected country.' when saving a customer or supplier record, or when pressing 'OK' in Company Preferences after updating the VAT tab.

This occurs if the Validate VAT Number feature doesn't recognise the VAT number format.

▼ Watch the invalid VAT number video

Resolution

Validate VAT Number

Check the correct formats for each country in our country list.

▼ View country list

Country	Country Code	Format	No of Characters	Notes
Austria	AT	U12345678	9	First character 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
Cyprus	CY	12345678X	9	The last character must be a letter.
Czech Rep	CZ	12345678 or 123456789 or 1234567890	8, 9 or 10	Delete the first three numbers if it's 11, 12 or 13 numbers long.
Denmark	DK	12345678	8
Estonia	EE	123456789	9
Finland	FI	12345678	8
France	FR	12345678901, X1234567890, 1X123456789 or XX123456789	11	Alpha characters can be n first or second position, or both. All alpha characters are valid except I and O.
Germany	DE	123456789	9	Must be the 9 digit.
Great Britain	XU	123456789	9
Greece	GR	012345678	9	For further information, see our Country code for Greece - EL or GR article.
Hungary	HU	12345678	8
Ireland	IE	1234567X, 1X23456X or 1234567XX	8 or 9	The number includes one or two alpha characters in either the last or second and last position. The last character is normally A or H. Issue with 9-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
Poland	PL	1234567890	10
Portugal	PT	123456789	9
Romania	RO	1234567890	2 to 10	A minimum of 2 digits and a 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 first or last, or first and last.
Sweden	SE	123456789001	12
UK	GB	123456789	9

NOTE: To check a country not on the list, contact HMRC or Revenue to confirm the correct format.

If the VAT number format is correct, go to Settings then Company Preferences.
Select the VAT tab, clear the Validate VAT Number checkbox, then press OK.
Enter the VAT number as required.

You can switch the 'Validate VAT Number' option back on if needed.

NOTE:

Northern Ireland - After resolving the error, delete and re-enter any EC sales transactions if you've processed under an incorrect VAT number. Otherwise you'll see the invalid VAT number message when running your EC Sales list.

Need more help with VAT?

Visit our Manage your VAT hub.

This article offers general guidance only. While accurate at the time of publication, it may not suit your specific needs. We make no express or implied warranties. For tailored advice, consult a professional. For VAT, customs, or duties queries, contact HMRC on 0300 200 3700 or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk. We accept no liability for any loss from using this content. VAT or tax codes shown reflect default software settings and may differ in your setup.

Solution Properties

Solution ID: 200427112206388
Last Modified Date: Mon Sep 21 09:55:53 UTC 2026
Attributes: Product Details
Modules: Customers
Modules: Suppliers
Modules: Contact Management
Modules: Tax
Modules: VAT
Views: 0