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Czech VAT Number Checker
A Czech VAT number is the DIČ (daňové identifikační číslo): CZ followed by eight, nine or ten digits. For a company it is CZ plus its eight-digit IČO, the business identification number.
Every taxpayer in Czechia has a DIČ, but VIES only lists those registered for VAT — VAT payers (plátci DPH) and identified persons. That is the most common reason a correctly typed Czech number comes back invalid.
Checked live against VIES, the European Commission’s VAT Information Exchange System. Not affiliated with the European Commission or the Czech Republic tax authority.
Czech Republic VAT number format
- Local name
- DIČ (Daňové identifikační číslo)
- Structure
- CZ + 8, 9, or 10 digits
- Format example
- CZ12345678Illustrative: right shape, not a registered business.
- Standard rate
- 21% · reduced 12%
CZ plus eight digits for legal entities. Individuals use nine or ten digits, derived from their birth number. No letters after the prefix.
How this Czech Republic check works
- Format, in your browser. As you type, the number is compared with the Czech Republic pattern (prefix, length and characters). This costs nothing and sends nothing: a number in the wrong shape is rejected on the spot and never reaches the registry.
- Registration, live. A well-formed number is then looked up in VIES, the European Commission’s VAT Information Exchange System, which says whether it is registered today and, where the register publishes them, the business name and address. Free checks are limited per visitor per hour so the registry is not scraped through this page.
- More checks, or from your code. A free account gives you an API key with 100 validations a month, the same answer as this page as JSON.
What usually goes wrong
Assuming every DIČ is a VAT number
A Czech business that is not registered for VAT still has a DIČ and prints it on invoices. VIES will report it as invalid, which is the correct answer for zero-rating.
Sending the IČO without the prefix
For companies the digits match, but an IČO on its own is just a register number. Add CZ, or select Czech Republic and paste the eight digits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between IČO and DIČ?
The IČO identifies a business in the business registers. The DIČ identifies it for tax. For companies the DIČ is CZ plus the IČO, so the digits are shared.
Why does a Czech number have ten digits?
Individuals registered for VAT use a DIČ based on their birth number, which can be nine or ten digits. Companies use eight.
Is checking the format enough?
No. The format check catches typos; only VIES can tell you the DIČ is registered for VAT today.
Validating Czech Republic numbers from your own code instead of by hand? The Czech Republic VAT validation API guide has the endpoint, the response shape and examples in four languages. To check a number from another country, go back to the VAT number checker.