What it means
A VAT number on the invoice (yours as seller, your tax representative's, or the buyer's) does not begin with a two-letter country code such as DE, FR, NL or BE. Greece uses EL.
Why it matters
The country prefix is part of an EU VAT number. Without it the number cannot be checked in VIES and the invoice is rejected.
How to fix it
Write the VAT number in full with its prefix, for example DE123456789, FR12345678901 or NL123456789B01. A national tax number without a prefix belongs in the tax registration field instead.
The rule as published
The Seller VAT identifier (BT-31), the Seller tax representative VAT identifier (BT-63) and the Buyer VAT identifier (BT-48) shall have a prefix in accordance with ISO code ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 by which the country of issue may be identified. Nevertheless, Greece may use the prefix ‘EL’. Business terms: BT-31, BT-48, BT-63
Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| EN 16931 (UBL) | 1.3.17 |
| EN 16931 (UBL credit note) | 1.3.17 |
| EN 16931 (CII) | 1.3.17 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL) | 3.0.2 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL credit note) | 3.0.2 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (CII) | 3.0.2 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (invoice) | 2026.5 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (credit note) | 2026.5 |
| Factur-X 1.09 MINIMUM | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 BASIC WL | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 BASIC | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 EN 16931 | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 EXTENDED | 1.0.9-2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 MINIMUM | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 BASIC WL | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 BASIC | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 EN 16931 | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 EXTENDED | 2.5.2 |
| SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (invoice) | 2.0.3.13 |
| SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (credit note) | 2.0.3.13 |
| NLCIUS (CII) | 1.0.3.13 |
| France CTC (UBL invoice) | 1.4.0-04 |
| France CTC (UBL credit note) | 1.4.0-04 |
| France CTC (CII) | 1.4.0-04 |
| CIUS-RO UBL Invoice 1.0.9 | 1.0.9 |
| CIUS-RO UBL Credit Note 1.0.9 | 1.0.9 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether BR-CO-09 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- BR-AE-02 Reverse-charge lines need both VAT numbers
- BR-AE-03 Reverse-charge invoice discounts need both VAT numbers
- BR-AE-04 Reverse-charge invoice charges need both VAT numbers
- BR-IC-02 Intra-community supplies need your VAT number and the buyer's
- BR-IC-03 Intra-community supplies need your VAT number and the buyer's (discount)
- BR-IC-04 Intra-community supplies need your VAT number and the buyer's (charge)