French VAT Numbers: SIREN or SIRET?

French VAT numbers: SIREN or SIRET?

The French tax authorities issue several different identification numbers to registered businesses, which can be confusing, especially for non-French companies or those trading across borders within the EU.

Depending on the situation, you may be asked for a SIREN number, a SIRET number, or a French VAT number, and these are not interchangeable. Understanding the difference between these numbers is particularly important for VAT registration, invoicing, and intra-Community transactions.

Below, we explain what SIREN and SIRET numbers are, how they are structured, and how they relate to a French VAT number.

What is a SIREN number?

SIREN numbers are issued by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) and are 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.

Click here to check the official definition of the SIREN number according to the INSEE.

What is a 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).

Click here to check the official definition of the SIRET number according to the INSEE.

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 to a VAT number

This tool will automatically convert your SIRET into a VAT number. Enter your SIRET and click on "Convert". Then, click on "Copy" to save the VAT number to your clipboard.