Registering for a VAT number and filing VAT returns

When you sell your products in Europe, you may need to charge VAT. You may need to request a VAT registration number, file VAT returns, and pay the VAT you collected from your customer to the tax authorities.

In most European countries, you can register online on the tax authority’s website for the country where you want to register. Most of these websites provide the VAT information in English. The website will usually provide an online form for registering or a PDF form you can download to complete and return by mail. If there is no provision for registering online, you can find out where to go to register for a VAT number. After you have submitted your request for a VAT number, you may also be sent forms to sign and return through postal mail.

Registering for VAT may lead to a number of associated compliance requirements, including the need to file reports and issue VAT invoices.