VAT ID Verification in Switzerland: Step-by-Step Process to Check a VAT ID Number Online
For businesses in Switzerland, using an incorrect or unverified VAT number can lead to rejected invoices, compliance issues, and even fraud exposure. The Swiss UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer) serves as the official VAT identifier, and ensuring it is valid is essential for smooth business operations.
Verifying VAT numbers helps confirm a company’s registration status with the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) and prevents costly penalties tied to inaccurate reporting. Regular checks also protect against fraudulent suppliers or customers attempting to operate with false credentials.
This guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to Swiss VAT number validation, including how to perform online checks through official FTA systems and what details to confirm for full compliance.
What is a Swiss VAT Number?
A Swiss VAT number is a unique identifier essential to the tax system for businesses registered for Value Added Tax (MWST/TVA/IVA) in Switzerland. To ensure compliance with the FTA and maintain accurate records, businesses must regularly perform Swiss VAT number status lookups.
In Switzerland, a VAT number consists of “CHE” followed by 9 digits and ends with MWST, TVA, or IVA depending on the language region (CHE-123.456.789 MWST). It appears on VAT returns, invoices, and official communications with the FTA. Regular validation ensures compliance with Swiss MWST regulations.
Importance of Swiss VAT Numbers for Businesses & Individuals
To ensure business compliance in Switzerland, it’s recommended to verify Swiss VAT numbers online regularly using official verification tools or FTA systems.
A valid Swiss VAT number is essential for businesses registered for VAT to comply with Swiss tax obligations. The Swiss VAT registration threshold is CHF 100,000 in annual sales for resident businesses, while foreign companies must register if their worldwide annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000.
Starting January 1, 2025, businesses with annual turnover not exceeding CHF 5,005,000 may request annual VAT reporting instead of quarterly returns. Non-compliance with payment schedules may result in exclusion from this annual filing option.
Since Swiss penalties for VAT violations can reach CHF 800,000 for serious evasion cases, with lesser penalties of CHF 200,000 for negligent errors and CHF 20,000 for minor mistakes, businesses must ensure accurate validation to avoid significant financial consequences.
Note: Swiss VAT rates include an 8.1% standard rate, with reduced rates of 2.6% and 3.8% for specific goods and services.
Why Verify a Swiss VAT Number?
Swiss VAT ID verification helps businesses stay compliant with Swiss MWST regulations, protect against fraud, and ensure that they can claim VAT refunds and other tax credits without issues from the FTA.
Consequences of Using an Invalid Swiss VAT Number
Using an incorrect or unverified Swiss VAT number can have serious consequences for businesses operating in Switzerland:
- VAT Evasion Penalties: Fines of up to CHF 800,000 for hindering VAT collection or evasion under the Swiss VAT Act.
- Negligent Error Penalties: Lesser negligent errors still attract fines up to CHF 200,000, or even CHF 20,000 for minor mistakes.
- Late Payment Interest: Interest on late payment of 4.75% of the amount of VAT due.
- Annual Filing Exclusion: Non-compliance with payment schedules or filing obligations may result in penalties or exclusion from the annual filing option.
- Denied Deductions: Wrong or unverified Swiss VAT numbers can result in denial of valuable tax deductions, VAT refunds, or input tax credits.
- Reputational Damage: Discrepancies in your Swiss VAT number can damage business reputation and credibility in the Swiss market.
Swiss VAT Number Format Explained
The format of Swiss VAT numbers follows a specific structure with the country code CHE followed by 9 digits and language-specific suffixes. Understanding this format is crucial for accurate validation and business documentation.
- Standard Swiss VAT Number Format: The Swiss VAT number starts with CHE, followed by 9 digits (whereby the last digit is a MOD11 checksum), and either ends with MWST, TVA or IVA depending on the part of Switzerland a business is registered in, where:
- Country Code: CHE (for Switzerland)
- Digits 1-9: Nine digits that are randomly assigned with MOD11 checksum validation
- Language Suffix: MWST (German), TVA (French), or IVA (Italian)
- UID Structure: The UID is a nine-digit number formatted as “CHE-123.456.789”. The number may be written without the hyphen and dots, although it is generally preferred to include them.
Examples of Valid Swiss VAT Numbers:
- German region: CHE-123.456.789 MWST
- French region: CHE-234.567.890 TVA
- Italian region: CHE-345.678.901 IVA
Common Typos in Swiss VAT Numbers
The following are common errors in Swiss VAT numbers that can easily be avoided with regular validation to ensure the accuracy of your Swiss Tax identification number:
- Missing Language Suffix: For example, using CHE-123.456.789 instead of the correct CHE-123.456.789 MWST (missing the required language suffix).
- Incorrect Country Code: Using DE for Germany when CHE is required for Switzerland, or using other country codes incorrectly when dealing with Swiss entities.
- Incorrect Digit Count: Using more than 9 digits after CHE or fewer than the required 9 digits for VAT purposes.
- Format Confusion: Omitting the CHE prefix when required, adding incorrect punctuation, or using wrong language suffixes (e.g., CHE-123.456.789 VAT instead of CHE-123.456.789 MWST).
These typos can easily be avoided with regular Swiss VAT number validation. Additionally, businesses should perform regular Swiss VAT number lookups to confirm validity and active status with the FTA.
Step-by-Step Process to Verify a Swiss VAT Number on Official Portals
In Switzerland, the process of verifying a VAT number can be done online through the UID register maintained by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) or through FTA verification services.
To verify a Swiss VAT number, follow these simple steps:
- Access the UID Register: Go to the official UID register portal maintained by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office.
- Select Switzerland: Choose Switzerland as the country or enter “CHE” as the country code.
- Enter VAT Number: Enter the Swiss VAT number in the following format: CHE and the number that can have 9 digits MWST/TVA/IVA. MWST/TVA/IVA part is optional.
- Submit Verification: Click the “Search” or “Verify” button. Swiss VAT number validation results are obtained in real time from the UID register, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
- Review Results: Check the validation results for accuracy, including business name matching and address verification against FTA records.
Troubleshooting Invalid or Inactive Results
During your Swiss VAT number validation, you may encounter error messages indicating that the number is invalid or inactive. Below is a troubleshooting guide to help resolve common validation errors:
| Error Message | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
| Invalid or Not Recognized | The Swiss VAT number is not registered in the UID register or contains formatting errors | Double-check the VAT number for typos, ensure 9 digits after the CHE prefix, and correct the language suffix |
| Inactive Status | VAT number may have been newly issued or temporarily deactivated | Allow 24-72 hours for processing, or contact FTA for status confirmation |
| No Record Found | The VAT number is not linked to any active business in the Swiss UID register | Verify with FTA or confirm the business is properly registered for VAT |
| Business Details Mismatch | The VAT number doesn’t match the business details in FTA records | Confirm the registered business name and address match official records with FTA |
| Temporary Service Unavailable | UID register system maintenance or technical issues | Retry validation later or use FTA verification services directly |
The Role of Licensed Tax Agents in Swiss VAT Number Registration & Validation
Licensed tax agents help businesses manage Swiss VAT registration and validation with the FTA. They handle VAT returns, resolve discrepancies, support appeals, and ensure compliance with MWST obligations.
When choosing an agent, it’s important to check credentials, experience with FTA systems, and reputation. Costs typically range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year, depending on business needs.
Swiss VAT Number Validation: Why It Matters for Local Businesses
Swiss VAT number validation is essential for businesses operating in Switzerland to stay compliant with FTA regulations, avoid substantial penalties, and maintain smooth operations. Ensuring validity is especially important for B2B transactions and cross-border trade.
Validation ensures businesses align with Swiss MWST regulations, preventing issues related to business registration, corporate tax filings, and fraudulent VAT numbers with Swiss suppliers and customers.
Local Swiss businesses dealing with international suppliers must ensure proper validation to avoid regulatory issues and maintain eligibility for VAT refunds through FTA systems.
Bulk & Automated Swiss VAT Number Validation
Manually checking Swiss VAT numbers through the UID register or FTA systems is slow and prone to errors, especially for businesses managing large volumes. Commenda makes this easier with automated validation via CSV uploads and a Bulk VAT API, enabling real-time checks of hundreds or thousands of records in seconds.
The API integrates directly into your existing systems, delivering 99.9% uptime and ensuring compliance with Swiss Federal Tax Administration requirements. This allows businesses to validate VAT IDs quickly and reliably while reducing manual workload.
Conclusion: Swiss VAT Number Validation Made Simple
VAT compliance in Switzerland involves more than just number checks. Commenda supports the entire process, from VAT registration and ID validation to filing and ongoing FTA compliance.
With automation and precision, our platform simplifies bulk validation through CSV or API, while maintaining full adherence to Swiss tax laws. Whether you’re registering new IDs, validating existing VAT numbers, or filing returns, Commenda provides speed, accuracy, and reliability.
Ready to simplify Swiss VAT compliance? Get a free demo and see how Commenda streamlines VAT number validation with automation and full FTA compliance.
FAQs on Swiss VAT Number Validation
Q. What is a Swiss VAT number, and how is it different from a tax registration certificate?
A Swiss VAT number is a unique identifier (CHE + 9 digits + MWST/TVA/IVA) for VAT-registered businesses issued by the FTA. A tax registration certificate confirms enrollment with Swiss tax authorities and includes comprehensive business details.
Q. Why should I verify a Swiss VAT number online before issuing an invoice or purchase order?
Verifying a Swiss VAT number ensures it’s valid and active with the FTA, preventing compliance issues and VAT refund denials. It also protects your business from dealing with non-compliant Swiss entities.
Q. What penalties can my business face for quoting an invalid or inactive Swiss VAT number on tax returns?
You may face penalties up to CHF 800,000 for VAT evasion, CHF 200,000 for negligent errors, CHF 20,000 for minor mistakes, plus 4% interest on late payments. Repeated violations could lead to enhanced scrutiny and increased penalties.
Q. How do I check the real-time status of a Swiss VAT number on the official government portal?
You can use the UID register on the Swiss Federal Statistical Office website or access FTA services directly. Both provide instant validation of Swiss VAT numbers with current registration status.
Q. Can I still claim input tax credit / VAT refund if my Swiss supplier’s VAT number is later canceled?
Yes, if the supplier was validly registered with the FTA at the time. Retain proper documentation, including valid invoices and proof of supply for FTA records.
Q. How long does it take for a newly issued Swiss VAT number to appear as “active” in the online lookup tool?
Swiss VAT numbers typically become searchable within 24–72 hours after FTA registration. If delayed, suppliers should contact the FTA to resolve activation issues.
Q. What common errors cause a “No records found” result when validating a Swiss VAT number?
Common issues include typos in the CHE prefix, incorrect 9-digit sequence, missing language suffixes (MWST/TVA/IVA), or entering numbers not yet activated in FTA systems.
Q. Is there a free API or bulk CSV upload option to bulk-verify Swiss VAT numbers for multiple suppliers?
The UID register doesn’t offer bulk tools, but third-party services like Commenda provide both API and CSV upload capabilities for automated, real-time Swiss VAT number validation at scale.
Q. How often should finance teams re-check Swiss supplier VAT numbers to stay compliant with FTA regulations?
Best practice is to re-verify Swiss VAT numbers quarterly or before large payments to ensure supplier status hasn’t changed (deregistration, suspension, or address changes).
Q. Does the official Swiss VAT number validation portal provide historical data on status changes?
No, the UID register only shows current Swiss VAT status, not historical records. For audit trails, businesses must maintain internal logs or use tracking-enabled software for FTA compliance.
Q. What data privacy safeguards apply when submitting Swiss VAT number lookups through third-party services like Commenda?
Reputable platforms like Commenda use strict data protection practices and encrypted data transfer to protect your information during Swiss VAT number validation processes.
Q. When is it mandatory to engage a licensed tax agent for Swiss VAT number registration or validation?
While not mandatory for most Swiss businesses, it’s often beneficial for non-residents or complex VAT setups. Licensed agents help ensure correct filing with the FTA and faster resolution of tax queries.
