1. VAT in Europe
3. VAT in France
5. French VAT numbers: SIREN or SIRET?

French VAT numbers: SIREN or SIRET?

The French tax authorities issue different numbers to registered businesses. Each of these numbers has a different meaning and format:

Siren Number

SIREN numbers are issued by the Statistical authorities (INSEE). It is made up of 9 numbers. The first 8 numbers do not have any meaning and the 9th digit is only used to double check the logarithm in the first numbers. More info (in French) can be found in this webpage of the French authorities

Siret Number

SIRET numbers are made up of 14 numbers. The first 9 digits are the SIREN number and the following 5 digits are the NIC number (Numéro Interne de Classement). The SIRET number provides information about the location of the business in France (for established companies). More info (in French) can be found in this website of the French authorities

The EU VAT number must be used for all intra-Community movements. It is made up of the acronym for France "FR" followed by two digits to double check the logarithm and the 9 digits of your SIREN number

Convert your SIRET number to your VAT number

This tool will automatically convert your SIRET id into a VAT number. Enter your SIRET and click on convert.