Just so you all know an EU VAT NUMBER validation checker is at:
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/

This is to check your clients VAT number works and is correct with the address you are given, so you can accept the VAT registered number (VRN) and use it in your EC sales lists. We are vat registered, as are all of our Eu (outside uk) clients…. We are B2B, so i believe zero vat charged as usual.