VIES VAT Validator

gistfile1.php

public function validateVAT($code, $vat) { 
	if ($code === "GR") {
		$code = "EL";
	}
		
	try {
		$client = @new SoapClient("http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/checkVatService.wsdl");
	} catch (SoapFault $e) {  
    		return -1;
	}

	$params = array('countryCode' => $code, 'vatNumber' => $vat);
		
	if ($client){
    		try{
        		$r = $client->checkVat($params);
        		
        		if($r->valid == true){
            			return 1;
        		} else {
            			return 0;
        		}
  
    		} catch(SoapFault $e) {
        		return -1;
    		}
	} else {
    		// Connection to host not possible, europe.eu down?
    		return -1;
	}
		
	return -1;
}