===========================
VIES VAT numbers validation
===========================

**VAT Information Exchange System** - abbreviated **VIES** - is a tool provided by the European
Commission that allows you to check the validity of VAT numbers of companies registered in the
European Union.

Odoo provides a feature to **Verify VAT Numbers** when you save a contact. This helps you make sure
that your contacts provided you with a valid VAT number without leaving Odoo interface.

Configuration
=============

To enable this feature, go to :menuselection:`Accounting --> Configuration --> Settings --> Taxes`,
enable the **Verify VAT Numbers** feature, and click on *Save*.

.. image:: media/vat-validation-configuration.png
   :align: center
   :alt: Enable "Verify VAT Numbers" in Odoo Accounting

VAT Number validation
=====================

Whenever you create or modify a contact, make sure to fill out the **Country** and **VAT** fields.

.. image:: media/vat-validation-contact-form.png
   :align: center
   :alt: Fill out the contact form with the country and VAT number before clicking on *Save*

When you click on *Save*, Odoo runs a VIES VAT number check, and displays an error message if the
VAT number is invalid.

.. image:: media/vat-validation-error.png
   :align: center
   :alt: Odoo displays an error message instead of saving when the VAT number is invalid

.. important::
   This tool checks the VAT number's validity but does not check the other fields' validity.

.. seealso::

   - `European Commission: VIES search engine <https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/vatRequest.html>`__