- VAT REGISTRATION & RETURN
EU VAT Registration & Returns
Welcome to our EU VAT Hub.
Our services cover a wide range of regions across the European Union, and are designed to help you easily navigate the complex landscape of VAT registration, filing and compliance.
With our dedicated support team and a wide range of add-on services tailored to suit every individual business need, we’re here to help you focus on what matters most – your business and your customers.
Simply let us know where you’re looking to trade, and we’ll help you get started.
PAN EU
*The information is based on our services; details may slightly differ from local authorities.
Germany
- Standard VAT Rate: 19%
- Filing Frequency: Monthly/Quarterly/Annually
- Deadline for Filing: 10th of the month/quarter
- Deadline for Payment: 13th of the month/quarter
- VAT Number Format: DE123456789
Italy
- Standard VAT Rate: 22%
- Filing Frequency: Quarterly
- Deadline for Filing: End of second month of the quarter
- Deadline for Payment 16th of each month/quarter
- VAT Number Format: IT12345678912
France
- Standard VAT Rate: 20%
- Filing Frequency: Monthly/Quarterly
- Deadline for Filing: 19th or 24th of the month/quarter
- Deadline for Payment 19th or 24th of the month/quarter
- VAT Number Format: FR12345678912
Spain
- Standard VAT Rate: 21%
- Filing Frequency: Quarterly
- Deadline for Filing: 20th of the quarter
- Deadline for Payment 20th of the quarter
- VAT Number Format: ESA1234567B
Poland
- Standard VAT Rate: 23%
- Filing Frequency: Monthly
- Deadline for Filing: 25th of each month
- Deadline for Payment 25th of each month
- VAT Number Format: PL1234567891
Czech Republic
- Standard VAT Rate: 21%
- Filing Frequency: Monthly
- Deadline for Filing: 25th of each month
- Deadline for Payment 25th of each month
- VAT Number Format: CZ123456789
Other Countries
*The information is based on our services; details may slightly differ from local authorities.
Ireland
- Standard VAT Rate: 23%
-
Filing Frequency:
Bi-Monthly - Deadline for Filing: 19th of each month
- Deadline for Payment 19th of each month
- VAT Number Format: IE1234567AB
Netherlands
- Standard VAT Rate: 21%
- Filing Frequency: Quarterly
- Deadline for Filing: Last day of second month
- Deadline for Payment Last day of the second month
- VAT Number Format: NL123456789A12
Belgium
- Standard VAT Rate: 21%
- Filing Frequency: Quarterly
- Deadline for Filing: 20th of the quarter
- Deadline for Payment 20th of the quarter
- VAT Number Format: BE1234567891
Sweden
- Standard VAT Rate: 25%
- Filing Frequency: Quarterly
- Deadline for Filing: 12th of second month
- Deadline for Payment 12th of second month
- VAT Number Format: SE123456789123
Austria
- Standard VAT Rate: 20%
- Filing Frequency: Monthly/Quarterly
- Deadline for Filing: 15th of second month
- Deadline for Payment 15th of the second month
- VAT Number Format: ATU12345678
Already based in the EU?
You may be able to streamline your EU trading by using OSS.
The EU One-Stop-Shop scheme can streamline your VAT filings/payments through your business place of establishment.
You’ll still need individual VAT registrations for storing inventory in other EU markets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Selling internationally does not necessarily mean you need to register for VAT at your customers’ locations. However, you will need to register VAT for any tax jurisdictions where you plan to store and ship inventory to/from.
For example, if your customers are based in Germany and you are shipping from the US, you will not necessarily need to register for VAT. However, if you plan to store inventory in Germany which is then shipped to customers, you will need to register for VAT.
Some online marketplaces (e.g. Amazon) will also require a valid VAT registration to use their regional marketplaces. For example, Amazon.de will require a valid German VAT number to be validated and linked to your business.
Each jurisdiction has its own requirements for the registration process, and many tax authorities assess applications on a case-by-case basis, which means that timeframes can vary significantly.
Successfully applying for VAT is subject to being able to provide the correct documentation requested to support your application. In most cases, this will include evidence to prove the legitimacy of your business, your identity, and also evidence to show that you have complied with any domestic regulations for your business.
Please refer to our country-specific FAQs for more information.
Generally, most tax authorities will require you to file VAT returns according to the filing frequency stipulated. The filing frequency can vary depending on the jurisdiction.
Where there is a filing requirement, you will need to file VAT returns even if you have no trading activity – this is known as filing a zero or nil return. It is usually not possible to ‘pause’ this requirement, other than formally deregistering your VAT.
If you deregister your VAT, you will usually need to start the application process again if you want to apply for VAT in the future.
VAT numbers issued by an EU Member State are usually comprised of two numbers – a local VAT number, and a European VAT/GST number for cross-border trading within the EU. For many EU Member States, these two numbers will in fact be the same.
A VAT/GST number can be recognised by the presence of a two-character country code prefix which indicates the EU Member State responsible for issuing the number.
A deactivation can occur for several reasons, depending on the tax authority that issued the VAT number. This can include failing to file according to the required frequency, failing to pay VAT liabilities on time, and failure to respond to requests/enquiries made by the tax authority.
In addition, some tax authorities may deactivate a VAT registration if there has consistently been limited or no trading activity for an extended period of time.
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