diff --git a/addons/base_vat/models/res_partner.py b/addons/base_vat/models/res_partner.py
index 936ba3596ae..af0f09ac077 100644
--- a/addons/base_vat/models/res_partner.py
+++ b/addons/base_vat/models/res_partner.py
@@ -333,7 +333,11 @@ class ResPartner(models.Model):
 
         vat = clean(vat, ' -.').upper().strip()
 
-        if not (len(vat) == 14):
+        # Remove the prefix
+        if vat.startswith("NL"):
+            vat = vat[2:]
+
+        if not len(vat) == 12:
             return False
 
         # Check the format
@@ -346,9 +350,6 @@ class ResPartner(models.Model):
         char_to_int['+'] = '36'
         char_to_int['*'] = '37'
 
-        # Remove the prefix
-        vat = vat[2:]
-
         # 2 possible checks:
         # - For natural persons
         # - For non-natural persons and combinations of natural persons (company)