How to Check If an Online Software Dealer Is Legit in Europe (2026 Edition)

Buying software online in Europe in 2026 can be risky if you don’t verify the legitimacy of the seller. The EU digital market is full of unofficial resellers, grey-market keys, student activations and invalid licenses that may stop working after a few days. This guide explains how European users can identify a real, compliant and trustworthy software dealer before purchasing professional tools such as Windows, Office, Adobe or Autodesk.

Whether you are an architect, designer, engineer, freelancer or business owner, choosing a legitimate vendor protects your workflow, your clients and your data.

1. Check the Company Identity and Legal Information

A legitimate European software dealer must clearly display verifiable company details. This includes:

• Full company name
• Registered business address
• EU VAT number (validatable)
• Contact email and support channels

Dealers that hide their identity or offer only anonymous email addresses are considered high-risk.

2. Verify VAT and EU Compliance

Every serious reseller operating in Europe must show VAT information during checkout. If prices look unusually low and there is no VAT handling, the seller may be operating outside EU regulations.

You can verify VAT numbers using the official EU VIES system:

EU VAT Validation (VIES)

3. Avoid Suspiciously Low Prices

If a Windows, Office, Adobe or Autodesk license is sold for €3, €5 or €10, it is never legitimate. These prices usually indicate:

• student keys
• trial activations
• MAK keys from expired corporate contracts
• cracked activators disguised as “licenses”

These activations often fail after updates or audits.

4. Check If the Dealer Offers Commercial Licenses

Real European professionals need commercial usage rights for tools such as Autodesk and Adobe. Fake dealers rarely provide commercial subscriptions, because they cannot activate them legitimately.

Examples of fully licensed commercial products:

• Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps – 12 Months
• AutoCAD 2026 – Commercial
• Revit 2026 – Commercial
• SketchUp Pro – Commercial

If a dealer sells “professional” software at unrealistic prices, it is almost always a scam.

5. Confirm Activation Method

A legitimate European reseller never asks for:

• remote computer access
• TeamViewer activation
• manual registry modifications
• third-party activation tools

Activation should always be via the official vendor platform:

• Microsoft Account for Windows/Office
• Adobe ID for Creative Cloud
• Autodesk Account for named-user subscriptions

6. Review Payment Security and Refund Policy

Secure dealers in Europe support safe payment methods such as credit cards, PayPal or Stripe. If a website accepts only cryptocurrency, bank transfers or unusual payment methods, it is a red flag.

Real dealers also offer transparent refund policies and clear post-purchase support.

7. Look for Real Support and Response Time

Professional vendors respond quickly, provide documentation and assist with activations when needed. Fake sellers usually disappear after the purchase or reply with automated, generic messages.

European buyers should look for a dealer offering:

• email support
• ticketing system
• clear communication in English or local language
• fast problem resolution

8. Check Reputation and Transparency

A trustworthy dealer does not hide. You should be able to see:

• website history
• previous customer activity
• social presence
• transparent product pages

If the dealer provides no information about previous activity or cannot demonstrate legitimacy, caution is recommended.

Professional Software Resellers in Europe (2026 Overview)

Legitimate software resellers supply:

• Official subscriptions
• Immediate delivery
• Clear documentation
• Full commercial usage rights

This is essential when working on paid projects, especially in architecture, engineering, design or visualisation.

Need Help Choosing a Legit Dealer?

If you need help selecting real, secure and fully licensed software for your workflow, you can contact our support team. We assist European professionals in choosing safe software for commercial use.