Because the operation is not intra-community: Metricool is based in Spain, and your tax residence is also in Spain. The VIES system only allows VAT exemption for B2B transactions between companies from different EU countries.
For national operations between Spanish companies, 21% VAT applies regardless of VIES registration.
Why am I being charged VAT on my invoice?
Updated 4 months ago
This article is for informational purposes only. Tax situations may vary depending on your country’s regulations. If you have any questions, we recommend consulting a tax advisor.
How taxes are applied in Metricool
When you subscribe to a paid plan, Metricool automatically applies the tax rules based on the country selected in your Plan & Billing area. This includes VAT (Value Added Tax) where applicable.
Which countries apply VAT and how much?
If you reside in the European Union, the system calculates VAT according to your country:
Country | VAT % |
|---|---|
Germany | 19% |
Spain | 21% |
France | 20% |
Italy | 22% |
Netherlands | 21% |
Ireland | 23% |
Belgium | 21% |
Portugal | 23% |
Poland | 23% |
Sweden | 25% |
Finland | 24% |
What is the VIES system and when does it apply?
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is the European system that allows verification of whether a VAT number is valid for intra-community operations (B2B purchases between companies from different EU countries).
Important: VIES only applies to transactions between different European Union countries.
Metricool is a Spanish company. If your tax residence is in Spain, the transaction is not intra-community, so VAT will apply even if you are registered in VIES, as it is a national operation subject to Spanish tax law.
Exception: Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla
If your billing address is in one of these territories, your invoice will not include VAT, as they are outside the scope of VAT according to Article 3.1 of Law 37/1992.
In this case, the invoice is issued not subject to tax under the reverse charge mechanism in accordance with Law 20/1991, provided that you select Spain (Canary Islands/Ceuta/Melilla) as the country and include complete tax information in your billing details.
When CAN you buy without VAT using VIES?
You can make your purchase without VAT only if both conditions are met:
✅ Your company is registered in an EU country other than Spain
✅ Your VAT number is validated in the VIES system
In these cases, the operation is considered intra-community, and Metricool issues the invoice without VAT. You must self-assess this tax in your country according to your local tax obligations.
Verify your VAT number here: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/
🇪🇺 Countries using VIES | ||
|---|---|---|
🇩🇪 Germany | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 🇱🇻 Latvia |
🇦🇹 Austria | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇱🇹 Lithuania |
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 🇪🇪 Estonia | 🇱🇺 Luxembourg |
🇧🇪 Belgium | 🇫🇮 Finland | 🇲🇹 Malta |
🇨🇿 Czechia | 🇫🇷 France | 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
🇨🇾 Cyprus | 🇬🇷 Greece | 🇵🇱 Poland |
🇭🇷 Croatia | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 🇵🇹 Portugal |
🇩🇰 Denmark | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 🇷🇴 Romania |
🇸🇰 Slovakia | 🇮🇹 Italy | 🇸🇪 Sweden |
What happens if VAT is not applied?
Not applying VAT doesn’t always mean you are completely exempt. It depends on your country’s legislation:
EU clients (different country) with a VIES-registered VAT number: Metricool does not apply VAT, but you must self-assess the tax in your country under the reverse charge mechanism.
Clients outside the EU: Metricool does not charge VAT. In many cases, the purchase is fully exempt, but in some countries, you may still have to report or pay digital service taxes. We recommend consulting a tax advisor if you’re unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
My tax residence is in Spain and I’m registered in VIES. Why am I charged VAT?
Can I remove VAT from my invoices?
Yes, only if your company is in an EU country other than Spain and your VAT number is validated in VIES. Make sure you enter it correctly in your billing area.
I’m outside the EU and I see VAT on my invoice. What should I do?
Check that your country is correctly set in your Plan & Billing area.
If you’re outside the EU, VAT should not apply.
Are Metricool invoices valid for my accounting?
Yes. You can download your invoices from your profile under Plan & Billing. They include all the required tax information.
Do I have to declare VAT even if Metricool doesn’t charge it?
It depends on your country’s tax laws:
If you’re in the EU with a valid VAT number and the purchase is intra-community (different country), you’ll generally need to self-assess VAT.
If you’re outside the EU, it may not be required, but check with your tax advisor.
I’m self-employed and don’t have a VAT number. What applies?
If you’re in the EU and don’t have a VAT number, VAT will apply according to your tax residence (see rate table above). You still need to complete the “Tax ID / VAT” and “Company” fields in your billing details: enter your personal tax identification number (e.g., DNI/NIE in Spain, or the equivalent for your country) in the Tax ID field, and your full legal name exactly as it appears on that document in the Company field. This applies regardless of country of residence.
What do I enter in the VAT/Tax ID field if I’m not registered for VAT?
Enter your personal tax identification number as issued in your country of residence (DNI/NIE in Spain, or the equivalent for your country). Enter your full legal name in the Company field, matching your ID exactly. This applies to any country — not having a VAT number does not exempt you from VAT; the applicable rate is still the one for your country of tax residence.
I live in the Canary Islands, Ceuta, or Melilla. Will I be charged VAT?
No. These territories are outside the scope of Spanish VAT.
If you have questions about your billing, you can contact our support team through the chat or by emailing [email protected].
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