Italy confirms bank guarantee requirements for VAT registered non-EU companies performing intra-EU transactions

1 May 2025

The Italian Revenue recently published specific information regarding non-EU companies engaging in intra-EU trade of goods to and from Italy.

Businesses involved in intra-EU activities, including the movement, purchase and sale of taxable goods are required to register in the VAT Information Exchange System (VIES). This system is a database of all EU VAT numbers that are authorised to undertake intra-EU activities and enables users to obtain rapid confirmation of companies’ VAT numbers. It also allows EU VAT authorities to monitor and control the flow of intra-Community trade to detect irregularities and VAT fraud.

The information released confirms that non-EU entities performing intra-EU transactions will have to issue a financial guarantee of €50,000 to the Italian tax authorities to register for the VIES. This guarantee needs to be issued to the tax authorities from the affected companies bank or insurance company and must include the exact text per the tax authorities’ request. It must also be valid for at least 36 months.

Companies already VAT registered will have to provide a guarantee to the Italian tax authorities by 13 June 2025.

The tax authorities also confirmed that non-compliance with the new regulations will result in the automatic closure of VAT numbers or cancellation of VIES registration.