Suomi · Y-tunnus / ALV-numero
Finnish Business ID & VAT Number Checker
Check a Finnish Y-tunnus or ALV-numero for correct format and check digit, and confirm the company in the official business register — with its registered name.
What is a Finnish Y-tunnus?
The Y-tunnus (Business ID) is the identifier every Finnish company and business receives on registration: seven digits, a hyphen and a check digit — for example 0112038-9 for Nokia Oyj. A VAT-registered business’s VAT number (ALV-numero) is the same digits with FI in front and no hyphen: FI01120389.
Finnish Business ID format
Seven digits, a hyphen and a mod-11 check digit; the VAT number adds FI and drops the hyphen.
(VAT number only)
(Y-tunnus only)
(mod 11)
Example: 0112038-9 (Nokia Oyj, Espoo). VAT number: FI01120389.
- Two forms: Y-tunnus 0112038-9 (9 characters) and VAT number FI01120389 (10 characters) — the same eight digits.
- Check digit: Weights 7-9-10-5-8-4-2, mod 11, as set out in Government Decree 288/2001. The common sample FI12345678 fails it.
- Not a VAT check: A Business ID exists whether or not the company is VAT-registered; VAT status has to be checked separately.
- Company name: A valid result shows the company name from the official business register.
How to check a Finnish Business ID
- 1 Find the Y-tunnus or VAT number on the company’s invoice or website.
- 2 Enter it above, in either form. The checker validates the format and check digit, then confirms the company in the official business register.
- 3 Compare the returned company name with the business you are dealing with.
- 4 Need to confirm VAT registration? Our Finnish VAT verification guide walks through the official checks step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a Finnish VAT number formed from the Y-tunnus?
Put FI in front of the Business ID and drop the hyphen: Nokia’s Y-tunnus 0112038-9 becomes FI01120389. Only businesses in the VAT register use the FI number.
Does a Y-tunnus mean the company is VAT-registered?
No. Every registered business gets a Y-tunnus, but only businesses entered in the VAT register have a valid VAT number. A Finnish business must register once its turnover exceeds €20,000 in a calendar year; businesses established outside the EU must register from their first taxable sale. The Business ID on its own does not show VAT status.
How is the Y-tunnus check digit calculated?
Multiply the seven digits by 7, 9, 10, 5, 8, 4 and 2, add the results and divide by 11. A remainder of 0 gives check digit 0; otherwise the check digit is 11 minus the remainder. Numbers that would leave a remainder of 1 are never issued.
How do I check a Finnish Business ID? (Y-tunnus haku)
Enter the Y-tunnus or FI number in the checker on this page: it validates the format and check digit and confirms the company in the official business register, with its name. To check VAT registration, see our Finnish VAT verification guide.
Why does VIES say a Finnish VAT number is invalid?
VIES confirms VAT registration for EU trade, not that a Y-tunnus exists. A live company that is not, or is no longer, in the VAT register shows as invalid.
When must the FI VAT number appear on an invoice?
A Finnish seller must show its FI-form VAT number on invoices for intra-EU supplies of goods, distance sales and cross-border services taxed in the buyer’s country, alongside the buyer’s VAT number where the buyer pays the VAT (reverse charge). On domestic invoices the seller’s Business ID is enough.
Last reviewed: , against official sources.
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Check Finnish Business IDs and EU VAT numbers in one API call — with registered company details where the country provides them.