The French VAT ID is 'FR' followed by two
characters (either numbers or letters) and nine digits.
An example of a valid VAT ID in
France is 'FRXX999999999'.
Check any EU VAT number — free, no signup
Data straight from the official EU VIES system · all 27 member states + Northern Ireland
The Directorate General for Public Finance handles tax administration in France.
France is renowned for its gastronomy, fashion, and iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower.
As a member of the EU, its VAT system adheres to the EU's common system of VAT.
The French VAT ID is 'FR' followed by two characters (either numbers or letters) and nine digits. An example of a valid VAT ID in France is 'FRXX999999999'.
The Directorate General for Public Finance handles tax administration in France. Located in Western Europe, France is renowned for its gastronomy, fashion, and iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower. As a member of the EU, its VAT system adheres to the EU's common system of VAT.
France, in Western Europe, is a country rich in history and culture. Known for its fine wine and cuisine, fashion, art, and landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Palace of Versailles. France is also famous for its diverse landscapes that range from the beaches of the French Riviera, the alpine slopes of the French Alps, to the rural landscapes of Provence and Brittany.
The Directorate-General of Public Finances (Direction générale des Finances publiques) is in charge of tax administration in France. They oversee the implementation of tax laws, collect tax revenues, and ensure taxpayer compliance. They manage different types of taxes, including income tax, corporate tax, and VAT.
France's VAT system aligns with the EU's common system of VAT. The standard VAT rate in France is 20%, with reduced rates of 10%, 5.5%, and 2.1% for certain goods and services. French VAT numbers start with 'FR' followed by 2 digits and 9 characters.
Validate any France VAT ID in real time against the official EU VIES database — free, no signup. You'll see whether it's valid, plus the registered company name and address where available.
Check any EU VAT number — free, no signup
Data straight from the official EU VIES system · all 27 member states + Northern Ireland
Doing business in France? Before you zero-rate a B2B sale or reclaim input VAT, it pays to confirm your counterparty's VAT number is genuine and currently registered. VatProtect checks any France VAT ID in real time against the EU's official VIES database and returns the registered company name and address where available.
| VAT rate type | VAT rate | Specific categories of goods or services |
|---|---|---|
| Standard VAT rate in France | 20% | Other goods and services |
| Reduced VAT rate in France | 10% | Food Books Pharmaceuticals |
| Reduced VAT rate in France | 5.5% | Water Non-alcoholic beverages |
| Reduced VAT rate in France | 2.1% | Certain medicines Newspapers Tv licence |
| Exempt VAT rate in France | 0% | Healthcare services Educational services Financial services |
A valid France VAT number lets you apply the reverse charge with confidence and keeps your invoices audit-ready. An invalid or deregistered number can lead to disallowed input-VAT deductions and penalties — so it's worth checking before you invoice rather than after.
Enter a France VAT number in the checker above to validate it instantly — free, with no signup.
VAT rates are indicative and can change. Confirm current France rates with the EU's official VAT rules & rates. Last reviewed: May 2026.
Enter the VAT number in the checker above. VatProtect validates it in real time against the EU's official VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) database and returns the registered company name and address where available.
France VAT numbers are prefixed with the country code FR, followed by the national registration digits. VatProtect automatically checks both the format and whether the number is currently registered for VAT.
Yes — you can validate a France VAT number on this page for free. For high-volume needs you can run bulk checks, set up ongoing monitoring, or integrate our REST API on a paid plan.
For B2B sales within the EU, a valid VAT number lets you apply the reverse charge and zero-rate the supply. If the number is invalid, the tax authority can disallow that treatment and hold you liable for the VAT plus penalties — so it pays to verify before you invoice.
In addition to its standard rate, France applies reduced VAT rates to certain goods and services. The current France rates are listed in the VAT rate table on this page.
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