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Check a Belgian or European IBAN
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A Belgian IBAN has 16 characters: BE, 2 check digits, then the 12 digits of the account number. It is valid if, after moving the first 4 characters to the end and replacing the letters with numbers (B = 11, E = 14), the remainder of division by 97 is 1. Example from the official registry: BE68 5390 0754 7034 is valid.
The tool also checks IBANs for the 42 country codes in the SEPA area, from 15 characters (Norway) to 31 (Malta). Registry checked on 8 October 2026.
The Belgian IBAN
The 12 digits of a Belgian account are read in three parts: the bank code (3 digits), the account number (7 digits) and a check (2 digits), equal to the remainder of the first 10 digits divided by 97. For BE68 5390 0754 7034, the old number was 539-0075470-34.
Real example: the FPS Finance account for advance tax payments, BE61 6792 0022 9117, passes both checks (bank code 679, check 17).
The bank code lets you find the BIC in the National Bank’s list of bank identification codes. Indexo does not work it out automatically: for a SEPA transfer, the IBAN is enough.
IBAN length by country (SEPA area)
| Country | Code | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | AL | 28 |
| Germany | DE | 22 |
| Andorra | AD | 24 |
| Austria | AT | 20 |
| Belgium | BE | 16 |
| Bulgaria | BG | 22 |
| Cyprus | CY | 28 |
| Croatia | HR | 21 |
| Denmark | DK | 18 |
| Spain | ES | 24 |
| Estonia | EE | 20 |
| Finland | FI | 18 |
| France | FR | 27 |
| Gibraltar | GI | 23 |
| Greece | GR | 27 |
| Hungary | HU | 28 |
| Ireland | IE | 22 |
| Iceland | IS | 26 |
| Italy | IT | 27 |
| Latvia | LV | 21 |
| Liechtenstein | LI | 21 |
| Lithuania | LT | 20 |
| Luxembourg | LU | 20 |
| North Macedonia | MK | 19 |
| Malta | MT | 31 |
| Moldova | MD | 24 |
| Monaco | MC | 27 |
| Montenegro | ME | 22 |
| Norway | NO | 15 |
| Netherlands | NL | 18 |
| Poland | PL | 28 |
| Portugal | PT | 25 |
| Romania | RO | 24 |
| United Kingdom | GB | 22 |
| San Marino | SM | 27 |
| Serbia | RS | 22 |
| Slovakia | SK | 24 |
| Slovenia | SI | 19 |
| Sweden | SE | 24 |
| Switzerland | CH | 21 |
| Czechia | CZ | 24 |
| Vatican City | VA | 22 |
A valid IBAN is no guarantee
The check detects typos, not fraud: a fraudster can give a perfectly valid IBAN. If a supplier announces a change of account, confirm it by phone, on a number you already know, before you pay.
Check an IBAN
Paste the IBAN, with or without spaces.
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Frequently asked questions
How many characters does a Belgian IBAN have?
16: the letters BE, 2 check digits and the 12 digits of the account, often written in four groups of four.
Is the BIC still needed for a transfer?
For a transfer in euros within the SEPA area, the IBAN is in principle enough. The BIC may still be requested for some transfers outside SEPA.
Can the tool tell you who an IBAN belongs to?
No: it only checks that the number is consistent, without consulting any bank. Nothing is sent.
What next?
- Structured payment referenceThe payment reference to add to the transfer.
- Check an enterprise numberThe beneficiary’s CBE or VAT number.
- Accountant’s toolboxThe seven everyday calculations: VAT, interest, payment reference, IBAN, CBE, deadlines, depreciation.
Sources
Parameters in force on 1 October 2026. Each parameter links to its source, the official one where it exists; a secondary source is flagged as such.
- IBAN Registry: length, structure and sample IBAN by country, SWIFT.
- EPC409-09: list of countries and territories in the SEPA area, version 8.0 (24 December 2025), European Payments Council.
- Codes d’identification bancaires: the first three digits of a Belgian account number and BICs, National Bank of Belgium.
- L’IBAN belge: BE, two check digits and the 12 digits of the account number (16 characters), BNP Paribas Fortis (secondary source).
- Versements anticipés : le compte BE61 6792 0022 9117 du SPF Finances reste le seul valable, Forum for the Future (secondary source).