VAT numbers by country / Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland VAT number
Format, example and a free check against the official register.
Format
| Local name | UK VAT number with the XI prefix |
|---|---|
| Prefix | XI |
| Format | XI followed by 9 digits (12 for branches) |
| Format example | XI123456789 |
| Checked in | VIES (the EU’s VAT Information Exchange System) |
Examples show the format only; they aren't real registrations. Spaces, dots and dashes are ignored when checking.
Good to know
- Under the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland businesses trading goods with the EU use an XI number, which VIES checks like an EU one. For services, the UK GB number applies.
How to check a Northern Ireland VAT number
- Enter it with or without the XI prefix; spaces and punctuation don't matter.
- The check asks the official register in real time whether the number is currently valid, and returns the registered name and address where the country publishes them.
- Compare the name with the company you're dealing with: a valid number that belongs to a different company is a common invoice-fraud trick.
- If the check can't get an answer, Northern Ireland's database may be down: see the live VIES status.
Signed in, every check is saved with a PDF certificate you can show your auditor. To check many numbers at once, upload a spreadsheet, or use the VAT validation API.
VAT rates in Northern Ireland
Standard rate 20%; reduced rates 5%. Zero rate (0%) on most food, books, children’s clothing and public transport. All European VAT rates
Other countries
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