What Is a DIČ (Czech VAT ID) and How It Differs from IČO
IČO is a company registration number that every Czech business has. DIČ is the tax identification number — for VAT it signals registration for the tax. The difference matters for invoicing and partner verification.
IČO (company identification number) is assigned to every Czech business upon formation — a universal identifier in the commercial register and the ARES registry. DIČ (tax identification number) is assigned by the tax administration, and in the VAT context it means the entity is a registered VAT payer or identified person.
Czech format
- IČO: 8 digits (e.g. 27074358)
- DIČ: prefix CZ + core part; for legal entities typically CZ + IČO (e.g. CZ27074358)
Careful: a DIČ in the CZ+IČO format does not by itself mean VAT registration. A DIČ is valid for VAT purposes only if the entity is actually registered — which you verify in the VAT payer register.
Why it matters
Invoices between VAT payers must state both parties' DIČ. If a supplier states a DIČ but is not a registered payer, you have no right to deduct their "VAT". Conversely, for intra-EU supplies you need the customer's valid VAT ID to apply the exemption.
Special case: VAT groups
Members of a Czech VAT group operate under a shared group VAT ID in the format CZ699xxxxxxx — individual members then have no own VAT ID. Our checker recognises group registration and shows the group VAT ID.
Practical example
A supplier's invoice states "DIČ: CZ12345678". You verify it and find they are not registered for VAT — you must not use their invoice with charged VAT as a basis for deduction.
Verify any VAT ID against ARES and VIES — results in under two seconds, including payer status.