vatnode-mcp is the official Model Context Protocol (MCP) server launched by vatnode, providing AI agents with EU Value Added Tax (VAT)-related query and validation capabilities. It allows AI assistants (such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, ChatGPT, Continue, Cline, etc.) to query VAT rates, check VAT number formats, and validate VAT numbers against the EU VIES service without leaving the chat interface.
Key capabilities
- Free, offline: built-in VAT rates and format-check data for 45 European countries, usable without an account. Data is packaged via eu-vat-rates-data and updated daily from the European Commission TEDB.
- Real-time validation: validate EU VAT numbers against VIES, retrieve registered company information and the VIES consultation number. This feature requires a free vatnode API key; the consultation number must be generated after setting your own VAT as the requester in the dashboard settings.
- Five focused tools: tool descriptions are clear, making it easy for agents to select accurately.
- Pure stdio, zero hosting dependencies: run locally via npx.
Usage In Claude Desktop, add the server to claude_desktop_config.json (macOS path: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json), then restart Claude Desktop, and the vatnode tools will appear in the tool selector. If you only need the free tools (rates, format check), you can omit VATNODE_API_KEY. In Cursor, add it via Settings → MCP → Add new server. In ChatGPT (custom connector / Apps SDK), configure it as a stdio MCP server using the same npx -y vatnode-mcp command. Continue / Cline / other clients: any MCP-compatible client can connect, pointing to npx -y vatnode-mcp, and optionally passing via environmentvariable VATNODE_API_KEY.
Use cases
- Quickly query European country VAT rates in conversation.
- Check whether VAT number formats comply with specifications.
- Validate EU VAT numbers and retrieve registered company information.
Limitations and notes
- validate_vat_number requires a vatnode account and API key; the free plan includes a monthly request quota.
- The platform also offers features not exposed by MCP: VAT status change webhooks, batch validation, national database fallback when VIES is down, VIES consultation numbers, per-key rate limiting, and dashboard analytics.
- The free tools are fully offline, with data updated daily.
- Publishing is done via npm Trusted Publishing, with every release signed using npm provenance.
Example session User: What are the VAT rates in Finland and Germany? (The agent calls get_country_vat_rates to query FI and DE—free, no key required.) Agent: Finland's standard VAT rate is 25.5%, Germany's is 19%. Finland has reduced rates of 14% and 10%; Germany has 7%. User: Is IE6388047V a valid VAT? (The agent calls validate_vat_number—requires an API key.) Agent: Yes, valid. The registered company is GOOGLE IRELAND LIMITED, address Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4.
Bug reports and PRs are welcome. For non-trivial changes, please open an issue first to align on direction.
