By Nermeen Nabil Khear 
Is your company based outside the European Union and looking to enter the European market? It’s a fantastic opportunity! However, before you get started, you must understand one critical step: EU VAT Registration. This guide explains who needs to register, where to do it, and how hellotax can streamline the entire process.
1. Who must register for EU VAT?
The first step is to check whether your company must register for VAT in the EU. Here are the main scenarios:
You must register if:
- You store products in the EU
Even if your business is outside the EU, storing goods in any EU Member State requires a local VAT number. - You run dropshipping from outside the EU
If you import products into the EU with a value above €150 or ship to various EU countries via dropshipping, you need a VAT number in every country you sell.
You do not need to register if:
- You only sell to other businesses (B2B) with valid EU VAT numbers,
- You do not store any goods in the EU (i.e., no local warehouse or fulfillment center), and
- You do not import goods into the EU on behalf of your customers.
- In this case, your EU clients are solely responsible for handling customs and VAT upon import.
Important
- If you store your products in any EU Member State—even if sales are B2B—you must register for VAT.
- If you, instead of your customers, handle import procedures (paying customs duties and taxes), you also need to register for VAT in the relevant country.
2. Where and how to register for EU VAT
The process depends on how you sell:
For businesses not established in the EU
- Selling through marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, etc.)
If the marketplace acts as a “Deemed Supplier,” it handles VAT collection and filing.
However, if you store products in the EU, you still need a VAT number in each country where your items are stored. - Direct B2C sales from outside the EU (value above €150)
You must register for VAT in each EU country where you sell. - Direct B2C sales from outside the EU (value below €150)
You can use the IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop), but hellotax does not currently offer this service. - B2C sales from within the EU
You can register in just one EU country and use the OSS to declare sales to all other EU Member States.
3. Requirements for EU VAT registration
Although exact requirements vary by country, you will generally need:
- Certificate of incorporation (issued no more than 6 months ago).
- VAT certificate from your home country (if applicable).
- Tax identification showing that your company pays corporate tax.
- Articles of association.
- Bank statement for your business account.
- ID documents of company directors (passport or national ID).
- Selfie of the director holding their ID (for identity verification).
- Proof of commercial activity in the EU (e.g., sales invoices).
- Proof of online commercial activity (e.g., screenshots of your online store).
- Power of attorney if using a fiscal representative.
Important: All documents must be submitted in the official language of the country where you’re registering, although some countries accept English. Certain countries have additional requests; for example, Spain requires official sworn translations and apostilles.
4. How long does registration take?
EU VAT registration generally takes 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the country. Some might process applications faster, while others may require more time.
5. Is a fiscal representative required?
Some countries, such as France, Italy, and Spain, require non-EU businesses to appoint a fiscal representative. This usually involves extra costs and formalities.
6. What if I sell through Amazon FBA?
If you use Amazon FBA and store your products in its fulfillment centers, you must obtain a VAT number in each EU country where your goods are stored.
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7. How can hellotax help with EU VAT registration?
At hellotax, we offer comprehensive solutions to make EU VAT Registration and VAT compliance simpler:
- VAT Registration: We handle the entire registration process for all the countries you need.
- VAT Filings: We prepare and submit your monthly or quarterly VAT returns.
- OSS: We assist you with OSS registration and ongoing B2C VAT management across the EU.
- Intuitive Software: Access all your VAT data in one place.
- Personalized Guidance: A dedicated VAT expert is always at your side.
- Multilingual Support: Get help in Spanish, English, German, and more.
- Document Translation Service.
- Official Correspondence Handling: We receive, translate, and categorize your official tax letters.
Ready to simplify your EU VAT registration?
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. With hellotax, you can stop worrying about EU VAT registration and focus on growing your business
The post EU VAT registration: A complete guide for Non-EU businesses appeared first on hellotax Blog.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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