This guide explains what a Tax ID and TIN are, why we may ask for one, and where to find yours depending on your country of tax residence.
This page is general guidance only and is not tax advice. Formats and rules can change — if you’re unsure about your own number, check with your national tax authority or a tax advisor.
What is a TIN? #
A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a unique number used to identify taxpayers. Most countries issue one in some form, sometimes under a different name (for example, a national ID number, a personal identity code, or a social security-style number that doubles as a tax identifier). It usually stays the same for life.
Why do we ask for this? #
Under EU tax transparency rules (DAC7), platforms like ours may be required to collect and report this number for creators who are tax residents of an EU country. If you are not an EU tax resident, we may still request this field for our own records. If this applies to your situation and it isn’t provided, it may affect our ability to process your payouts.
Do I need to provide a Tax ID as well as a TIN? #
For most EU countries, your TIN is your Tax ID — there’s only one number, and you only need to enter it once. Germany is the main exception: Germany uses two different numbers for two different purposes (see below).
Germany #
Germany has two separate numbers, and it’s easy to mix them up:
Steuer-ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer) — this is your TIN #
- 11 digits, permanent for life, never changes even if you move
- Issued by the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) at birth or on first registration in Germany
- Where to find it:
- The info letter sent by the BZSt when you were first registered
- Your annual Lohnsteuerbescheinigung (wage tax certificate), if you’re employed
- Any income tax return you’ve filed
- By contacting the BZSt directly (you’ll need to provide name, date of birth, and address)
- Some banks keep it on file for capital gains / tax exemption purposes
Steuernummer — this is your Tax ID #
- Issued by your local Finanzamt (tax office); the format depends on which state (Bundesland) issued it — typically 10–11 digits, sometimes shown with slashes (e.g.
181/815/08155) - Can change if you move to a different Finanzamt’s area, or if your marital/tax-assessment status changes
- Where to find it:
- Any tax assessment notice (Steuerbescheid)
- Your filed tax return
- By asking your local Finanzamt directly
- Your ELSTER account registration documents, if you use ELSTER
Other EU Countries #
For every EU country other than Germany, there is only one relevant number — enter it in the TIN field. Formats below are for general reference; always double-check against your own documents or your national tax authority if unsure.
| Country | Local name | Typical format | Where it usually appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer | 9 digits (e.g. 12-345/6789) | Top-right corner of your tax assessment notice |
| Belgium | Rijksregisternummer / Numéro de registre national | 11 digits (YY.MM.DD-XXX.CC) | National ID card, tax documents |
| Bulgaria | EGN (Единен граждански номер) | 10 digits | National ID card |
| Croatia | OIB (Osobni identifikacijski broj) | 11 digits | National ID card, tax documents |
| Cyprus | Tax Identification Code (TIC) | Issued by the Cyprus Tax Department | Tax registration documents |
| Czech Republic | Rodné číslo | 9–10 digits (YYMMDD/XXXX) | National ID card, tax documents |
| Denmark | CPR-nummer | 10 digits (DDMMYY-XXXX) | National ID / health card |
| Estonia | Isikukood | 11 digits | National ID card |
| Finland | Henkilötunnus | 11 characters (DDMMYY±XXXX) | National ID card |
| France | Numéro fiscal (SPI) | 13 digits | Tax notices, tax return |
| Greece | ΑΦΜ (AFM) | 9 digits | Tax registration certificate |
| Hungary | Adóazonosító jel | 10 digits | Tax ID card |
| Ireland | PPS Number | 7 digits + 1–2 letters | Payslips, tax documents |
| Italy | Codice Fiscale | 16 alphanumeric characters | National ID card, health card |
| Latvia | Personas kods | 11 digits (DDMMYY-XXXXX) | National ID card |
| Lithuania | Asmens kodas | 11 digits | National ID card |
| Luxembourg | Matricule national | 11 or 13 digits | National ID card, tax documents |
| Malta | Tax identification number | Often matches your Maltese ID card number | Tax registration documents |
| Netherlands | Burgerservicenummer (BSN) | 9 digits | National ID card, tax documents |
| Poland | PESEL | 11 digits | National ID card |
| Portugal | NIF | 9 digits | Cartão de Cidadão, tax documents |
| Romania | CNP | 13 digits | National ID card |
| Slovakia | Rodné číslo | 9–10 digits (YYMMDD/XXXX) | National ID card, tax documents |
| Slovenia | EMŠO | 13 digits | National ID card |
| Spain | NIF (nationals) / NIE (foreign residents) | NIF: 8 digits + letter · NIE: letter + 7 digits + letter | DNI/NIE card |
| Sweden | Personnummer | 10 digits (YYMMDD-XXXX) | Tax documents, ID card |
Not sure about your number, or your country isn’t listed? #
- The European Commission’s TIN Portal documents the official format for each EU country and lets you check whether a number matches the expected structure.
- The OECD Automatic Exchange of Information Portal has additional detail for countries outside the EU.
- If you’re still unsure, your national tax authority is always the authoritative source.
What about my VAT ID? #
A VAT ID is a separate number from your TIN/Tax ID, and only relevant if you’re registered for VAT in your country. If you have one, you can enter it in the VAT ID field on the payout settings page — it isn’t a substitute for your TIN.