Italia · Partita IVA
Italian Partita IVA Checker
Check an Italian Partita IVA for correct format and check digit, and confirm in real time via the EU VIES system that it is valid for intra-EU trade — with the registered name and address.
What is an Italian Partita IVA?
The Partita IVA is Italy’s VAT number: 11 digits assigned by the Agenzia delle Entrate when a business registers for VAT, written with IT in front for EU trade — for example IT00488410010. For most companies it is the same number as their codice fiscale, and it never changes while the business is active.
Italian Partita IVA format
Eleven digits: a serial number, a provincial office code and a Luhn check digit.
(optional)
serial (matricola)
(usually the province)
(Luhn)
Example: IT00488410010 (TIM S.p.A., as printed on its website).
- 11 digits: Digits only. The office code usually shows the province of the office that assigned the number, not necessarily where the company is today — the number stays the same when the company moves.
- Check digit: A Luhn (mod 10) check over the first ten digits, defined in the ministerial decree of 23 December 1976.
- Not a Partita IVA: A 16-character personal codice fiscale (e.g. RSSMRA80A01H501U) is not a VAT number and will not pass.
- VIES opt-in: Only Partite IVA opted in to intra-EU trade are in VIES. Italy releases the name and address there, so a valid result shows who the number belongs to.
How to check an Italian Partita IVA
- 1 Find the Partita IVA on the company’s invoice or website footer — Italian businesses must publish it on their home page.
- 2 Enter it above, with or without IT. The checker validates the format and check digit, then confirms the number via VIES.
- 3 Compare the returned name and address with your supplier or customer. A “not registered” result may mean the business has not opted in to EU trade.
- 4 Want to run the official checks yourself? Our EU VAT verification guide walks through them step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check an Italian VAT number? (Come si verifica una partita IVA?)
Enter it in the checker on this page: it validates the 11 digits and check digit, then confirms the number via the EU VIES system with the registered name and address. For the official verification routes, see our EU VAT verification guide.
How many digits does a Partita IVA have?
Eleven: a 7-digit serial number (matricola), a 3-digit code for the province of the tax office that assigned it, and a check digit. On EU invoices and in VIES it is written with IT in front, for example IT00488410010.
Are the Partita IVA and the codice fiscale the same?
For companies, usually yes: an entity registering for VAT without an existing codice fiscale receives one 11-digit number that serves as both. For individuals, no — their codice fiscale has 16 characters. Members of a VAT group trade under the group’s Partita IVA.
Why is an Italian VAT number invalid on VIES?
An Italian Partita IVA only appears in VIES if the holder has opted in to intra-EU operations, and it is removed after four consecutive quarters without an INTRASTAT summary. A number can therefore be active in Italy but show as not registered for EU trade.
How does the Partita IVA check digit work?
It is a Luhn (mod 10) check, set out in the 1976 ministerial decree: add the digits in odd positions, double the digits in even positions (adding the two digits of any result above 9), add both totals, and subtract the last digit of the sum from 10; the check digit is the last digit of the result (a result of 10 gives 0). The often-quoted sample IT12345678901 fails it.
Does the Partita IVA change if the company moves?
No. It stays the same after a change of fiscal domicile until the business ceases. Italian businesses must also show it on their website home page, so the site footer is the quickest place to find it.
Last reviewed: , against official sources.
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Check Italian and EU VAT numbers against VIES in one API call — with registered name and address where the country provides it.