VAT Registration

Registering for VAT in Europe

If you are trading in VAT-applicable products in Europe, you also need to register for VAT.

You would normally register in the country where you are likely to trade, and then register in any countries where you have substantial turnover.

If you mainly trade in one country, but have VAT-applicable supplies to other countries of the EU; your can send invoices without VAT to your customers, provided that:

• The supplies are goods and not services or goods for final consumption
• The client company is registered for VAT in another EU country

We can assist with registration for VAT in all countries in the European Union.

The European VIES register

To help you decide whether you can invoice without VAT, you need to know if your client is registered for VAT.

Most VAT registered companies in Europe are therefore on a European register. As you will have clients who will want to see if your company is registered in the VIES register, we can:

• Advise you where to incorporate in order to get a VAT number and get put on the VIES register quickly
• Assist you with your applications

Belgium VAT registration

We can assist clients with the application of VAT in Belgium, offering advice and assist in all VAT formalities. We can assist clients with:

• Notifications of commencement of the business
• monthly or quarterly VAT returns
• Intra-Community VAT returns
• Intrastat lists
• Annual lists of customers liable to VAT
• Requests for VAT transfer (for importers)
• Special returns for real estate transfers subject to VAT
• Notifications of changes to VAT registration

Bulgaria VAT registration

Bulgarian VAT legislation is based on the EU VAT rules and Directive 2006/112/EC. Bulgarian companies have to register for VAT if they have:

• Transactions within Bulgaria, for which the VAT should be charged, exceeding €25,000 for any 12-month period
• Intra-community acquisitions exceeding €10,000 during a calendar year
• Sales in Bulgaria exceeding €35,000 during a calendar year

A company in Bulgaria may apply for voluntary VAT registration. However, if registered voluntarily, the company will not be able to de-register for two years following the year of VAT registration.

Cyprus VAT registration

Companies are given a VAT number but the tax authorities when they start to trade. When you start to trade, you must send us evidence of trading; such as your first specimen invoices, and we will apply for a number on your behalf. Details of the company VAT details are placed on the European VIES register immediately.

Czech Republic VAT registration

Companies need to be  activated for VAT with the tax authorities, once you state that the company is starting to trade: it this case, you do not need to provide evidence that business is starting. The VAT number appears immediately on the European VIES register. This is a recommended country, if you need a European recognised VAT number immediately.

France VAT registration

All companies have a VAT number, and this is not to be confused with the registration number, or SIREN number, which has a nine and a fourteen digit format. The first nine digits are the important number through which the company is recognised. The VAT number for this company is allocated some days after this initial company registration. This number is placed on the European VIES register immediately.

Germany VAT registration

Our clients often ask for the VAT number. Ready Made companies do not have a VAT identification number or a regular tax number because, they do not have any business. We apply for a tax number and the VAT number at the local tax office immediately after you acquire the company. Registering for German VAT generally takes between two and six weeks, but this can vary. We then make a separate application to appear on the European VIES register.

Ireland VAT registration

There is a joint registration for all taxes, but the application for VAT requires a certain presence in the country, such as virtual office services and a bank account. We can apply for a VAT number on your behalf.

Malta VAT registration

Companies need to be registered for VAT with the tax authorities, once you state that the company is starting to trade. You need to give an indication of business activities. The VAT number appears immediately on the European VIES register.

Portugal VAT registration

Companies get a number for VAT immediately, which is also the VAT number. The VAT number appears on the European VIES register when the company starts to trade.

Poland VAT registration

We promote the sale of ready-made companies in Poland. These companies can be activated for trade and can be placed on the European VIES register within two or three weeks.

New Polish companies can apply for a VAT number for internal Polish work or apply through a different system to be on the European VIES register, applications can take some weeks.

Spain VAT registration

All Spanish companies have a VAT number right from the start. We apply on your behalf, and can register your number, so that it is stated on the European VIES register, if there is a movement of goods between European countries.

Your temporary CIF number

During the incorporation, we apply for a provisional tax number (código de identificación fiscal/CIF) and register for VAT.
To apply for your CIF number, we must provide the following details:

• the name of your company (and the Negative Name Certificate from the Mercantile Registry),
• the registered address of the company,
• and identification in the form of your passport or residence permit.

The tax office will then issue us with a certificate called an Identificación Fiscal that has your CIF number on it.
Your definitive CIF number
Once we have incorporated we need to apply for the definitive CIF number.
This is done as part of a process to activate your company for business and includes:

• Registration for Activities Tax
• Registration of the director of the company, if the director is  not registered yet
• Registration for Corproration Tax

You do no not need to visit, we can complete all these processes on your behalf.

Your European VAT number

Once we have incorporated, and you are trading, you may need to be on the European VIES register.
In Spain, most companies are not on the VIES register, as their trade is simply within Spain, or does not involve the movement of goods. However, if you need to be on the VIES register, we can apply on your behalf.

UK VAT registration

We can apply for and complete the forms necessary for your company to be registered with HM Revenue & Customs for VAT in the UK, registration takes around 4 weeks.