EORI Number Example: Format by Country

If you've just been assigned an EORI number, or you're checking a supplier's number before a shipment, you probably want to know one thing: what does an EORI number actually look like? The short answer is that every EU EORI starts with a two-letter country code, followed by a string of digits or characters based on the national identifier used in that country. This guide gives you a real EORI number example for each major trading nation, explains the EORI number format country by country, and shows you how to validate one.

The basic structure of an EORI number

An EORI number always begins with the ISO country code of the country that issued it (for example DE for Germany or FR for France). After that comes a national suffix, which is usually built on an existing business identifier such as a VAT number, a tax number, or a company registration number.

So the universal pattern is:

• Country code (2 letters) + national identifier (up to 15 characters)

The maximum total length is 17 characters. What fills those characters differs a lot between member states, which is exactly why a single "one format fits all" example is misleading. If you want the full background first, see our guide to what an EORI number is.

EORI number format by country (with examples)

The table below shows the typical structure and one worked EORI number example for each country. The example numbers are illustrative and formatted to show the pattern — always validate a real number rather than assuming it is correct.

How the national ID feeds into the EORI

In most EU countries the EORI is not a brand-new number — it's your existing identifier with the country code bolted on. A few patterns are worth understanding:

• VAT-based (NL, IT, GB, XI): the EORI is essentially the VAT number prefixed with the country code. In the UK, three zeros are usually appended (see our UK EORI guide).
• Company registration-based (BE, SE): the Belgian enterprise number and the Swedish organisation number become the suffix.
• SIRET-based (FR): France uses the 14-digit SIRET, which combines the SIREN company number and the establishment code.
• Dedicated series (AT): Austria issues a distinct EORI string beginning with "EOS" rather than reusing the VAT number directly.

Germany, Netherlands and France in detail

Germany (DE)

German EORI numbers start with DE followed by up to 15 characters. They're issued by the Generalzolldirektion and are tied to your German customs/tax registration. Because the suffix can be long, a German EORI is often the closest thing to a "maximum length" example you'll see.

Netherlands (NL)

Dutch EORI numbers are the cleanest to recognise: NL plus nine digits that match the RSIN or the numeric part of the BTW (VAT) number. If you know a Dutch company's VAT number, you can usually predict its EORI.

France (FR)

France builds the EORI on the SIRET: FR + 14 digits. The first nine digits are the SIREN (the legal entity), and the final five identify the specific establishment. That makes the French format one of the longest and most information-rich.

GB and XI numbers after Brexit

Since Brexit, UK traders use GB EORI numbers, typically the VAT number followed by three zeros (for example GB123456789000). Businesses moving goods to or from Northern Ireland may also need an XI EORI, which follows the same 12-digit structure but with the XI prefix. If you trade across the Irish Sea, you often need both. Our dedicated page on UK EORI numbers explains when each is required.

How to validate an EORI number

Knowing the format is only half the job — a number can look correct and still be invalid or inactive. Validation matters because customs will reject declarations quoting an EORI that isn't registered.

To check a number:

1. Confirm the country code matches the country that should have issued it.
2. Check the length and character pattern against the table above.
3. Run it through an official database to confirm it is active and registered.

The EU maintains a central EORI validation system, and you can check any EU number quickly using our EORI number checker. For a valid number it confirms registration; for an unknown one it tells you the number isn't in the system, which usually means a typo or that the trader isn't EORI-registered yet.

Common format mistakes

• Spaces or dashes — EORI numbers are stored without separators; strip them before validating.
• Wrong prefix — using a VAT country code that doesn't match the customs authority.
• Missing trailing zeros — a frequent UK error, where GB numbers drop the final 000.
• Confusing VAT with EORI — they overlap in some countries but are not always identical.

Next step

Now that you know what an EORI number looks like in each country, put it to use: take the number you're working with, match it against the format table above, and then confirm it's live with our EORI number checker. If you still need to apply for one or want the wider context, start with our main EORI number guide.