Guides › VIES down: what now?
VIES down: what now?
Updated: 1 November 2026 · Klik&Shop
Getting an error like MS_UNAVAILABLE when checking a VAT number? VIES or one country's database is temporarily down. The number is not invalid.
Common VIES errors
| Error | Meaning |
|---|---|
MS_UNAVAILABLE | The member state's database is unreachable, e.g. due to maintenance. |
MS_MAX_CONCURRENT_REQ | Too many simultaneous requests to that country. Wait and retry. |
GLOBAL_MAX_CONCURRENT_REQ | VIES itself is overloaded. |
SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE / TIMEOUT | VIES doesn't respond or is too slow. |
INVALID_INPUT | The number or country code is wrong. Not an outage, but an input error. |
Check status per country
The European Commission publishes availability per member state. With our API you can see it via GET /v1/status (no key needed). Outages usually last minutes to a few hours; some countries have scheduled maintenance at night or at weekends.
What to do during an outage
- Don't treat the number as invalid. An outage says nothing about the number.
- Retry later, e.g. after a minute, then with increasing pauses.
- Accept the order provisionally and re-check the number before invoicing.
- Use a recent result if you checked the number shortly before.
- Log the failed check so you can show you tried.
How the EU VAT Check API handles it
The EU VAT Check API never returns a false 'invalid' during an outage. You get 503 service_unavailable with the VIES error code, a Retry-After header and concrete advice, and the check is not charged. If the number was checked in the last 7 days, you get the last known result with source: "cache_stale" and a warning. See the docs.
Want to check a number now? Use the free VAT number check.
FAQ
Does MS_UNAVAILABLE mean the VAT number is invalid?
No. It means that country's database is temporarily unreachable. Retry later.
How long does a VIES outage last?
Usually from a few minutes to a few hours. Scheduled maintenance often happens at night or at weekends.
Check a VAT number now
5 one-time free checks via VIES, or automate with the API (5 free checks a month).