View source for European Union value added tax

{{Short description|EU-wide goods and services tax policy}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

[[File:EU VAT Tax Rates corrected.png |400px|right|EU VAT Tax Rates]]

The '''European Union value-added tax''' (or '''EU VAT''') is a [[value added tax]] on [[Good (economics)|goods]] and services within the [[European Union]] (EU). The EU's institutions do not collect the tax, but [[member states of the European Union|EU member states]] are each required to adopt in national legislation a [[value added tax]] that complies with the EU VAT code. Different rates of VAT apply in different EU member states, ranging from 17% in Luxembourg to 27% in Hungary. The total VAT collected by member states is used as part of the calculation to determine what each state contributes to the [[Budget of the European Union|EU's budget]].
==History==
German industrialist [[Wilhelm von Siemens]] proposed the concept of a value-added tax in 1918 to replace the German [[turnover tax]] however, the turnover tax was not replaced until 1968.<ref name=icaew/> The modern variation of VAT was first implemented by [[Maurice Lauré]], joint director of the French tax authority, who implemented VAT on 10 April 1954 in France's [[Ivory Coast]] colony. Assessing the experiment as successful, France introduced it domestically in 1958.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Helgason|first=Agnar Freyr|title=Unleashing the 'money machine': the domestic political foundations of VAT adoption|journal=Socio-Economic Review|volume=15|issue=4|pages=797–813|doi=10.1093/ser/mwx004|year=2017}}</ref>

Following creation of the [[European Economic Community]] in 1957, the Fiscal and Financial Committee set up by the [[European Commission]] in 1960 under the chairmanship of Professor [[Fritz Neumark]] made its priority objective the elimination of distortions to competition caused by disparities in national indirect tax systems.<ref>[[Marcel van Meerhaeghe|M.A.G. van Meerhaeghe]], ''Taxation and the European Community'', Economia delle Scelte Pubbliche, Vol. VII, 1989-1/2, pp.&nbsp;18–19.</ref><ref>Europäische Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft – Kommission: Bericht des Steuer- und Finanzausschusses (Neumark Bericht), Brüssel 1963.</ref>

The Neumark Report published in 1962 concluded that France's VAT model would be the simplest and most effective indirect tax system. This led to the EEC issuing two VAT directives, adopted in April 1967, providing a blueprint for introducing VAT across the EEC, following which, other member states (initially Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany) introduced VAT.<ref name=icaew/>

The First Directive was concerned with harmonising the legislation of the member states with respect to turnover taxes. This act was to replace the multi-level cumulative indirect taxation system in the EU member states by simplifying tax calculations and neutralising the indirect taxation factor in relation to competition in the EU.

==How it works==
{{Further|Value added tax}}
The EU value-added tax is based on the "destination principle": the value-added tax is paid to the [[government]] of the [[country]] in which the [[consumer]] who buys the product lives.
[[Business]]es selling a product charge the VAT and the [[customer]] pays it. When the customer is a business, the VAT is known as an "input VAT." When a consumer purchases the end product from a business, the tax is called the "output VAT."

==Coordinated administration==
A value-added tax collected at each stage in the supply chain is remitted to the tax authorities of the member state concerned and forms part of that state's revenue. A small proportion goes to the European Union in the form of a levy ("VAT-based own resources").

The co-ordinated administration of value-added tax within the [[EU VAT area]] is an important part of the [[single market of the European Union|single market]]. A cross-border VAT is declared in the same way as domestic VAT, which facilitates the elimination of border controls between member states, saving costs and reducing delays. It also simplifies administrative work for [[freight forwarder]]s. Previously, in spite of the [[European Union Customs Union|customs union]], the differing VAT rates and the separate VAT administration processes resulted in a high administrative and cost burden for cross-border trade.

For private individuals (not registered for VAT) who transport to one member state goods purchased while living or traveling in another member state, the VAT is normally payable in the state where the goods were purchased, regardless of any differences in VAT rates between the two states, and any tax payable on distance sales is collected by the seller.{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}} However, there are a number of special provisions for particular goods and services.

==European Union directives==
The EU VAT system is regulated by a series of [[Directive (European Union)|European Union directives]]. 

The aim of the EU VAT directive (''Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value-added tax'') is to harmonize VATs within the [[EU VAT area]] and specifies that VAT rates must be above a certain limit.{{R|ctext|at=97,99}}
It has several basic purposes:{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
*Harmonization of VAT law (content)
*Harmonization of content and layout of the VAT declaration
*Regulation of accounting, providing a common legal accounting framework
*Providing detailed invoices (article 226) and receipts (article 226b), meaning that member states have a common invoice framework
*Regulation of [[accounts payable]]
*Regulation of [[accounts receivable]]
*Standard definition of national accountancy and administrative terms
The VAT directive is published in all EU official languages.<ref name=ctext>{{CELEX|02006L0112-20201126|text=Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax}}, consolidated text: version dated 26 November 2020</ref>

===Sixth Directive===
In 1977, the Council of the European Communities sought to harmonise the national VAT systems of its member states by issuing the Sixth Directive to provide a uniform basis of assessment and replacing the Second Directive promulgated in 1967.<ref>sixth Directive, 77/388/EEC (17 May 1977).</ref>

The Sixth Directive defined a taxable transaction within the EU VAT scheme as a transaction involving the supply of goods,<ref>sixth Directive, 77/388/EEC, Article 5</ref> the supply of services,<ref>sixth Directive, 77/388/EEC, Article 6.</ref> and the importation of goods.<ref>sixth Directive, 77/388/EEC, Article 7.</ref>

===Eighth Directive===
The Eighth Directive, adopted in 1979, focuses on harmonising the legislation of the member states with respect to turnover taxes—provisions on the reimbursement of value added tax to taxable persons not established on the territory of the country (the provisions of this act allow a taxpayer of one member state to receive a VAT refund in another member state).<ref name=icaew>{{cite web|website=[[ICAEW]]|title=A brief history of VAT in Europe and the UK|author=ICAEW Insights|url=https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2024/sep-2024/a-brief-history-of-vat-in-europe-and-the-uk|date=18 September 2024|access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref>

Businesses can be required to register for VAT in EU member states other than the one in which they are based if they supply goods via mail order to those states over a certain threshold. Businesses established in one member state but receive supplies in another member state may be able to reclaim VAT charged in the second state.<ref>Eighth VAT Directive.</ref> To do so, businesses have a [[value added tax identification number]].
===Thirteenth Directive===
The Thirteenth VAT Directive, adopted in 1986, allows businesses established outside the EU to recover VAT in certain circumstances.<ref>Directive 86/560/EC.</ref><ref name=icaew/>

===Recast Sixth Directive===
In 2006, the Council sought to improve on the Sixth Directive by recasting it.<ref>{{CELEX|32006L0112|text=Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax}}, preamble sections (1) and (2), published 11 December 2009, accessed 17 January 2021</ref>

The recast of the Sixth Directive retained all of the legal provisions of the Sixth Directive but also incorporated VAT provisions found in other Directives and rearranged text order to make it more readable.<ref>Council Directive 2006/112/EC, (3) (28 November 2006).</ref> In addition, the Recast Directive codified certain other instruments including a Commission decision of 2000 relating to funding of the EU budget from with a percentage of the VAT amounts collected by each member state.<ref>Council Directive 2006/112/EC, (8) (28 November 2006) (making reference to Council Decision Euratom, 2000/597/EC (29 September 2000)).</ref>

Abuse criteria are identified by the jurisprudence of the [[European Court of Justice]] (ECJ) developed from 2006 onwards: VAT cases of ''Halifax'' and ''University of Huddersfield'', and subsequently ''Part Service'', ''Ampliscientifica and Amplifin'', ''Tanoarch'', ''Weald Leasing'' and ''RBS Deutschland''.<ref name="OCLC 1035359055" /> EU member states are under a duty to make their anti-abuse laws and rules compliant with the ECJ decisions, besides to retroactively re-characterize and prosecute transactions which meet those ECJ criteria.<ref name="OCLC 1035359055" />

The accrual of an undue tax advantage may be even found under a formal application of the Sixth Directive and shall be based on a variety of objective factors highlighting that the "organization structure and the form transactions" freely chosen by the taxpayer are essentially aimed to carry out a tax advantage which is contrary to the purposes of the EU Sixth Directive.<ref name="OCLC 1035359055">{{cite book | author = Michael Lang | author2= Pasquale Pistone | author3 =Josef Schuch | author4= Claus Staringer|author5= Donato Raponi | title = ECJ - Recent Developments in Value Added Tax: Schriftenreihe IStR Band 84 | pages = 36–37 | chapter = II- The Prohibition of Abuse of Rights in EU Vat Law in the light of the recent CJEU case law | series = Schriftenreihe zum internationalen Steuerrecht | date= 30 June 2014 | volume = 84 | oclc = 1035359055 | isbn = 9783709405024 }}</ref>

Such a jurisprudence implies an implicit judicial evaluation of the organizational structure chosen by the entrepreneurs and investors operating across multiple EU member states, in order to establish if the organization was appropriately ordered and necessary to their economic activities or "had the purpose of limiting their tax burdens". It is in contrast with the constitutional right to the [[economic freedom|freedom of entrepreneurship]].{{clarify|date=January 2021}}

==Supply of goods==
===Domestic supply===
A domestic supply of goods is a taxable transaction where goods are received in exchange for consideration within one member state.<ref>Recast sixth Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title V, Chapter 1.</ref> One member state then charges VAT on the goods and allows a corresponding credit upon resale.

===Intra-Community acquisition===
An Intra-Community acquisition of goods is a taxable transaction for consideration crossing two or more member states.<ref>^ Recast sixth Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title IV, Chapter 2.</ref> The place of supply is determined to be the destination member state, and VAT is normally charged at the rate applicable in the destination member state;<ref name="ReferenceA">Recast sixth Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title V, Chapter 2.</ref> however there are special provisions for distance selling (see [[#Distance sales|below]]).

The mechanism for achieving this result is as follows: the exporting member state does not collect VAT on the sale, but still gives the exporting merchant a credit for the VAT paid on the purchase by the exporter (in practice this often means a cash refund) ("zero-rating"). The importing member state "reverse charges" the VAT. In other words, the importer is required to pay VAT to the importing member state at its rate. In many cases a credit is immediately given for this as input VAT. The importer then charges VAT on resale normally.<ref name="ReferenceA" />

===Distance sales===
When a vendor in one member state sells goods directly to individuals and VAT-exempt organisations in another member state and the aggregate value of goods sold to consumers in that member state is below €100,000 or €35,000 (or the equivalent) in any 12 consecutive months, that sale of goods may qualify for a distance sales treatment.<ref name="ReferenceB">Recast sixth Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title V, Chapter I, Section 2, Article 34.</ref> Distance sales treatment allowed the vendor to apply domestic place of supply rules for determining which member state collects the VAT.<ref name="ReferenceB" /> This allows VAT to be charged at the rate applicable in the exporting member state. However, there are some additional restrictions to be met: certain goods do not qualify (e.g., new motor vehicles),<ref name="ReferenceD">Recast sixth Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title V, Chapter I, Section 2, Article 33.</ref> and a compulsory VAT registration is required for a supplier of [[excise goods]] such as tobacco and alcohol to the U.K.

If sales to final consumers in a member state exceeded €100,000, the exporting vendor is required to charge VAT at the rate applicable in the importing member state. If a supplier provides a distant sales service to several EU member states, a separate accounting of sold goods in regards to VAT calculation was required. The supplier must then seek a VAT registration (and charge applicable rate) in each country where the volume of sales in any 12 consecutive months exceeds the local threshold.

A special threshold amount of €35,000 was allowed if the importing member states fears that without the lower threshold amount competition within the member state would be distorted.<ref name="ReferenceB" /> Only Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands applied the higher €100,000 threshold.

==Supply of services==
A supply of [[Service (economics)|services]] is the supply of anything that is not a [[Good (economics)|good]].<ref>Recast sixth Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title IV, Chapter 3.</ref>

The general rule for determining the place of supply is the place where the supplier of the services is established (or "belongs"), such as a [[Permanent establishment|fixed establishment]] where the service is supplied, the supplier's permanent address, or where the supplier usually resides.<ref name="ReferenceC">Recast sixth Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title V, Chapter 3.</ref> VAT is charged at the rate applicable in and collected by the member state where the place of supply of the services is located.<ref name="ReferenceC" />

This general rule for the place of supply of services (the place where the supplier is established) is subject to several exceptions if the services are supplied to customers established outside the Community, or to taxable persons established in the Community but not in the same country as the supplier. Most exceptions switch the place of supply to the place of receipt. Supply exceptions include:
*transport services
*cultural services
*artistic services
*sporting services
*scientific services
*educational services
*ancillary transport services
*services related to transfer pricing services

Miscellaneous services include:
*legal services
*banking and financial services
*telecommunications
*broadcasting
*electronically supplied services
*services from engineers and accountants
*advertising services
*intellectual property services

The place of real estate-related services is where the real estate is located.<ref name="ReferenceC" />

There are special rules for determining the place of electronically delivered supply of services.

The mechanism for collecting VAT when the place of supply is not in the same member state as the supplier is similar to that used for the Intra-Community Acquisitions of goods; zero-rating by the supplier and reverse charge by the recipient of the services for taxable persons. But if the recipient of the services is not a taxable person (i.e. a final consumer), the supplier must generally charge VAT at the rate applicable in its own member state.

If the place of supply is outside the EU, no VAT is charged.

==Importation of goods==
Goods imported from non-member states are subject to VAT at the rate applicable in the importing member state, whether or not the goods are received for consideration and the importer.<ref>Recast sixth Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title IV, Chapter 4.</ref> VAT is generally charged at the border, at the same time as customs duty and uses the price determined by customs.<ref>Recast sixth Directive, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Title V, Chapter 4.</ref> However, as a result of EU administrative VAT relief, an exception called [[Low Value Consignment Relief]] is allowed on low-value shipments.

VAT paid on importation is treated as input VAT in the same way as domestic purchases.

Following changes introduced on 1 July 2003, non-EU businesses providing digital [[electronic commerce]] and entertainment products and services to EU countries are required to register with the tax authorities in the relevant EU member state, and to collect VAT on their sales at the appropriate rate according to the location of the purchaser.<ref name="Directive 2002/38/EC">Directive 2002/38/EC.</ref> Alternatively, under a special scheme, non-EU and non-digital-goods<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6422332/europe-eu-vat-regulation-indies|title=Europe's New Tax 'Solution' May Have Created a Big Problem for Indie Artists, Labels|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=29 December 2014}}</ref> businesses may register and account for VAT on only one EU member state.<ref name="Directive 2002/38/EC" /> This produces distortions as the rate of VAT is that of the member state being registered to, not where the customer is located, and an alternative approach is therefore under negotiation where VAT is charged at the rate of the member state where the purchaser is located.<ref name="Directive 2002/38/EC" />

==Exemptions==
There is a distinction between goods and services which are exempt from VAT and those which are subject to 0% VAT. The seller of exempt goods and services is not entitled to reclaim input VAT on business purchases, whereas the seller of goods and services rated at 0% is entitled.<ref name="VAT Guide, Chapter 16">{{cite web|url=http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/guide/vat-guide-ch16.pdf|title=VAT Guide, Chapter 16, Section 16.5 "Exemptions," p. 117|access-date=29 January 2012}}</ref>

For example, a book manufacturer in Ireland who purchases paper including VAT at the 23% rate<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/rates/decision-detail-01248.jsp|title=VAT Rates: Pizza (Hot) – Food And Drink For Human Consumption|access-date=29 April 2010|archive-date=11 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611114137/http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/rates/decision-detail-01248.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> and sells books at the 0% rate<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/rates/decision-detail-00007.jsp|title=VAT RAtes: Car Park Charges|access-date=29 April 2010|archive-date=11 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611114147/http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/rates/decision-detail-00007.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> is entitled to reclaim the VAT on the purchase of paper, as the business is making taxable supplies. In countries like Sweden and Finland, non-profit organisations such as sports clubs are exempt from all VAT, and have to pay full VAT for purchases without reimbursement.<ref>For Sweden, see [https://www.skatteverket.se/foreningar/driva/ideellforening/moms.4.18e1b10334ebe8bc80003909.html] for more detail.</ref>{{Citation needed|date=February 2014|reason=the source only discusses one of the listed countries}}{{Clarify|reason=meaning unclear|date=February 2014}} Additionally, in Malta, the purchase of food for human consumption from supermarkets, grocers etc., the purchase of pharmaceutical products, school tuition fees and scheduled bus service fares are exempted from VAT.<ref>{{cite web|last=Government of Malta|title=What is Taxable, what is exempt?|url=http://www.vat.gov.mt/en/Pages/Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.aspx|publisher=VAT Department Malta|access-date=20 February 2014}}</ref> The EU commission wants to abolish or reduce the scope of exemptions.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://ncalc.ru/en/docs/com_2011_851_en.pdf|title=COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the future of VAT Towards a simpler, more robust and efficient VAT system tailored to the single market|publisher=European Commission|access-date=4 June 2014|quote="Broadening the tax base and limiting the use of reduced rates would generate new revenue streams at less cost"}}</ref> There are objections from sports federations since this would create cost and a lot of bureaucracy for voluntary staff.<ref>[http://www.rf.se/Arbetsrum/idrottspolitik/Momshotet/Vadinnebarmomshotet/ Vad innebär momshotet?] (rf.se){{in lang|sv}} {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406175833/http://www.rf.se/Arbetsrum/idrottspolitik/Momshotet/Vadinnebarmomshotet/ |date=6 April 2012 }}</ref>

==VAT groups==
A VAT group is a grouping of companies or organisations who are permitted to treat themselves as a single unit for purposes related to the collection and payment of VAT. Article 11 of the Directive permits member states to decide whether to allow groups of closely linked companies or organisations to be treated as a single "taxable person", and if so, also to implement its own measures decided to combat any associated [[tax avoidance]] or evasion arising from misuse of the provision. The group members must be 'closely related' e.g. a principal company and its [[Subsidiary companies|subsidiaries]], and should register jointly for VAT purposes. VAT does not need to be levied on the costs of transactions undertaken within the group.<ref>European Commission, [https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/eu-vat-rules-topic/taxable-persons-under-eu-vat-rules_en Taxable persons under EU VAT rules], accessed 3 July 2018</ref>

Article 11 reads:
{{cquote|After consulting the advisory committee on value added tax (hereafter, the ‘VAT Committee’), each Member State may regard as a single taxable person any persons established in the territory of that Member State who, while legally independent, are closely bound to one another by financial, economic and organisational links.

A Member State exercising the option provided for in the first paragraph, may adopt any measures needed to prevent tax evasion or avoidance through the use of this provision.<ref name=ctext />}} Requirements vary between EU states which have opted to allow VAT groups because the EU legislation provides for member states to determine their own detailed rules for group eligibility and operations.

[[Taxation in Italy|Italian tax legislation]] permits the operation of VAT Groups,<ref>Raimondi, D. [https://www.tmf-group.com/en/news-insights/articles/2017/june/italy-eu-vat-groups/ EU VAT groups and group VAT settlement in Italy], published 20 June 2017, accessed 13 December 2018</ref>

All bodies (whether companies or [[limited liability partnership]]s) within the group are [[Joint and several liability|jointly and severally liable]] for all VAT due.<ref>Raffingers LLP (2018), [https://www.raffingers.co.uk/understanding-vat-groups/ Understanding VAT Groups] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210172037/https://www.raffingers.co.uk/understanding-vat-groups/ |date=10 December 2019 }}, accessed 13 December 2018</ref>

==One Stop Shop (OSS)==
{{anchor|MOSS}}To comply with the rules introduced since 2006, from 1 October 2014, businesses needed to decide if they want to register to use the EU VAT Mini One Stop Shop (MOSS) simplification scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/telecom/index_en.htm#one_stop|title=Telecommunications, broadcasting & electronic services - Taxation and customs union - European Commission|website=Taxation and customs union}}</ref> If suppliers decided against the MOSS, registration was required in each Member State where business-to-consumer (B2C) supplies of e-services are made. With no minimum turnover threshold for the new EU VAT rules, VAT registration was required regardless of the value of e-service supply in each Member State. Since 1 July 2021, the MOSS has been extended to B2C goods and turned into a One Stop Shop (OSS):<ref>https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/modernising-vat-cross-border-ecommerce_en [[File:CC-BY icon.svg|50px]] Text was copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License].</ref>

*The non-Union scheme MOSS for supplies of e-services by taxable persons not established in the EU has been extended to all types of cross-border services to final consumers in the EU;
*The Union scheme for intra-EU supplies of e-services will be extended to all types of B2C services as well as to intra-EU distance sales of goods and certain domestic supplies facilitated by electronic interfaces. The extension to intra-EU distance sales of goods goes hand in hand with the abolition of the current distance sales thresholds, in line with the commitment to apply the destination principle for VAT;
*An import scheme has been created covering distance sales of goods consignments (i.e. may be multiple goods in single package) imported from third countries or territories to customers in the EU not exceeding  EUR 150.
*The seller must now charge and collect the VAT at the point-of-sale to EU customers and may opt to declare to pay that VAT globally to the Member State of identification in the new [[Import One-Stop Shop]] (IOSS). Alternatively, they may use a regular VAT registration. These goods will then benefit from a VAT exemption upon importation, allowing a fast release at customs.
*The introduction of the import scheme goes hand in hand with the abolition of the current VAT exemption for goods in small consignment of a value of up to EUR 22. This is also in line with the commitment to apply the destination principle for VAT.

==Zero-rate derogation==
Some goods and services are "zero-rated", though the term is not used in the Directive. The Directive refers to "exemptions" with or without refund of VAT charged at the preceding stage (see 2006/112/EC Article 110). In the U.K., examples include some food, books, and medications, along with certain kinds of transport. The Directive does provide for very limited mandatory "zero-rates", generally related to supplies if an international nature such as exports and international transportation where the exemptions has a right of deduction (2006/112/EC Article 169). However, generally it was intended that the minimum VAT rate throughout Europe would be 5%. However, zero-rating remains in some member states e.g. Ireland, as a legacy of pre-EU legislation (permitted by Article 110). These member states have been granted a [[derogation]] to continue existing zero-rating but are not permitted to add new goods or services. An EU member state may uplift their domestic zero rate to a higher rate, for example to 5% or 20%; however, EU VAT rules do not allow a reversal back to the zero rate once it has been given up. Member states may institute a reduced rate on a previously zero-rated item even where EU law does not provide for a reduced rate. On the other hand, if a member state makes an increase from a zero-rate to the prevalent standard rate, they may not decrease to a reduced rate unless specifically provided for in EU VAT Law (the Annex III of 2006/112/EC list sets out where a reduced rate is permissible).

==VAT rates==
Different rates of VAT apply in different EU member states. The lowest standard rate of VAT throughout the EU is 17%,{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} although member states can apply two reduced rates of VAT (not below 5%) to certain goods and services.{{R|ctext|at=98–99}} Certain goods and services are required to be exempt from VAT (for example, postal services, medical care, lending, insurance, betting),{{R|ctext|at=135}} and certain other goods and services may be exempt from VAT ("zero rated") although individual EU member states may opt to charge VAT on those supplies (such as land and certain financial services){{R|ctext|at=137}}. Input VAT that is attributable to exempt supplies is not recoverable.

[[File:Taux standard de TVA dans les pays européens.svg|center|VAT standard rate in European countries]]{{Update inline|date=September 2024|reason=Finland VAT rate 25.5%}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Jurisdiction
! Rate (Standard)
! Rate (Reduced)
! Abbr.
! Name
|-
| {{AUT}}
| 20%
| 13% or 10%
| {{lang|de|MwSt.}};&nbsp;{{lang|de|USt.}}
| {{langx|de|Mehrwertsteuer}} / {{lang|de|Umsatzsteuer}}
|-
| {{BEL}}
| 21%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://agn.org/iagn/AGN_Shared_Content/Publications/EU/2016VAT.pdf |title=AGN VAT Tax Brochure 2016 – A European Comparison |date=July 2016 |publisher=AGN International – Europe Limited |access-date=6 October 2016 |archive-date=9 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009131510/http://agn.org/iagn/AGN_Shared_Content/Publications/EU/2016VAT.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| 12% or 6%
| {{lang|nl|BTW}}; {{lang|fr|TVA}}; {{lang|de|MWSt}}
| {{langx|nl|Belasting over de toegevoegde waarde}}; {{langx|fr|links=no|Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée}}; {{langx|de|links=no|Mehrwertsteuer}}
|-
| {{BGR}}
| 20%
| 9%<ref name="EU_VAT_2011-1-1">{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/rates/vat_rates_en.pdf |title=VAT Rates Applied in the Member States of the European Union |date=1 January 2016 |publisher=European Commission: Taxation and Customs Union |access-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref>
| {{lang|bg|ДДС}}
| {{langx|bg|Данък върху добавената стойност}} (''Danăk vărhu dobavenata stojnost'')
|-
| {{plainlist|
* {{CYP}}
* {{nowrap|&nbsp;'''∟''' {{flag|Akrotiri and Dhekelia}}}}
}}
| 19%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vatlive.com/european-news/cyprus-raises-vat-to-19-by-2014/|title=Cyprus raises VAT to 19% by 2014 - Avalara VATLive|date=11 December 2012}}</ref>
| 9% or 5%<ref name="EU_VAT_2011-1-1" />
| {{lang|el|ΦΠΑ}}
| {{langx|el|Φόρος Προστιθέμενης Αξίας}} (''Fóros Prastithémenes Axías'')
|-
| {{CZE}}
| 21%
| 12%
| {{lang|cs|DPH}}
| {{langx|cs|Daň z přidané hodnoty}}
|-
| {{HRV}}
| 25%
| 13% or 5%
| {{lang|da|PDV}}
| {{langx|hr|Porez na dodanu vrijednost}}
|-
| {{DNK}}
| 25%
| none
| {{lang|da|moms}}
| {{langx|da|Meromsætningsafgift}}
|-
| {{EST}}
| 22%<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.emta.ee/en/business-client/taxes-and-payment/value-added-tax/vat-rates-and-supply-exempt-tax | title=VAT rates and supply exempt from tax &#124; Estonian Tax and Customs Board }}</ref>
| 9% or 5%
| {{lang|et|km}}
| {{langx|et|käibemaks}}
|-
| {{FIN}}
| 25.5%<ref name="FinnishVAT">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vero.fi/en/businesses-and-corporations/taxes-and-charges/vat/rates-of-vat/|title=Rates of VAT|website=vero.fi}}</</ref>
| 14% or 10%
| {{lang|fi|ALV}}; {{lang|sv|Moms}}
| {{langx|fi|Arvonlisävero}}; {{langx|sv|Mervärdesskatt}}
|-
| {{plainlist|
* {{FRA}}<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://www.avalara.com/vatlive/en/eu-vat-rules/distance-selling/internet-and-ecommerce-vat.html | title=Internet, eCommerce and VAT - Avalara }}</ref>
* &nbsp;'''∟''' {{flag|Monaco}}
}}
| 20%
| 10%, 5.5%, or 2.1%
| {{lang|fr|TVA}}
| {{langx|fr|Taxe sur la valeur ajoutée}}
|-
| {{DEU}}
| 19%<ref name="thelocal1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.de/20200612/what-to-know-about-germanys-planned-vat-reduction|title = Update: What you should know about Germany's VAT cut|date = July 2020}}</ref><ref name="deutschepost1">{{cite web |url=https://www.deutschepost.de/en/m/aenderungen-mwst.html |title=Change in VAT &#124; Deutsche Post |publisher=Deutschepost.de |date= |accessdate=2021-03-15 |archive-date=4 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704022632/https://www.deutschepost.de/en/m/aenderungen-mwst.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| 7%<ref name="thelocal1"/><ref name="deutschepost1"/>
| {{lang|de|MwSt.}};&nbsp;{{lang|de|USt.}}
| {{langx|de|Mehrwertsteuer}} / ''{{lang|de|Umsatzsteuer}}''
|-
| {{GRC}}
| 24%<ref name="2014 EU VAT Rates">{{cite web |url=http://www.vatlive.com/vat-rates/european-vat-rates/eu-vat-rates/ |title=2014 European Union EU VAT rates |publisher=VAT Live |access-date=29 January 2012}}</ref>
| 13% or 6%<ref name="2015 Greece VAT Updates">{{cite web |url=http://www.vatlive.com/european-news/greece-new-vat-rises-in-creditor-talks/ |title=Greece new VAT rises in creditor talks |publisher=VAT Live |access-date=10 July 2015}}</ref>
| {{lang|el|ΦΠΑ}}
| {{langx|el|Φόρος Προστιθέμενης Αξίας}} (''Fóros Prostithémenis Axías'')
|-
| {{HUN}}
| 27%
| 18% or 5%<ref name="EU_VAT_2011-1-1" />
| {{lang|hu|ÁFA}}
| {{langx|hu|általános forgalmi adó}}
|-
| {{IRL}}
| 23%<ref>[http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vat/rates/current-historic-rates-vat.html VAT rates: current and historic], ''[[Revenue Commissioners]]''</ref>
| 13.5%, 9%, 4.8%, or 0%
| VAT; {{lang|ga|CBL}}
| {{langx|en|Value Added Tax|link=yes}}; {{langx|ga|Cáin Bhreisluacha}}
|-
| {{ITA}}
| 22%<ref name="VAT rise postponed until October">{{cite web |url=http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2013/06/26/VAT-rise-postponed-until-October-says-Letta_8929885.html |title=VAT rise postponed until October |publisher=ANSA |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref>
| 10%, 5%, or 4%<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ottaviano |first=Gennaro |date=2022-10-05 |title=Cos'è l'IVA, come funziona e quando si paga |url=https://www.partitaiva.it/iva-come-funziona/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Partitaiva.it |language=it-IT}}</ref>
| {{lang|it|IVA}}
| {{langx|it|Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto}}
|-
| {{LVA}}
| 21%<ref>[http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/31488/ Three governments, one prime minister], The Baltic Times, 27 June 2012</ref>
| 12% or 5%
| {{lang|lv|PVN}}
| {{langx|lv|Pievienotās vērtības nodoklis}}
|-
| {{LTU}}
| 21%
| 9% or 5%
| {{lang|lt|PVM}}
| {{langx|lt|Pridėtinės vertės mokestis}}
|-
| {{LUX}}
| 17%<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pfi.public.lu/fr/professionnel/tva/taxe-valeur-ajoutee/taux-nationaux-applicables.html | title=Taux nationaux applicables | date=28 December 2023 }}</ref>
| 14%, 8%, or 3%
| {{lang|fr|TVA}}
| {{langx|fr|Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée}}
|-
| {{MLT}}
| 18%
| 7%, 5% or 0%<ref name="EU_VAT_2011-1-1" />
| VAT
| {{langx|mt|Taxxa fuq il-Valur Miżjud}}; {{langx|en|Value Added Tax}}
|-
| {{NLD}}
| 21%<ref>[http://www.vatlive.com/european-news/netherlands-raises-vat-from-19-to-21-october-2012/ "Netherlands raises VAT from 19% to 21% October 2012,"] VAT Live (27 April 2012). Retrieved 28 May 2013.</ref>
| 9% or 0%
| {{lang|nl|BTW}}
| {{langx|nl|Belasting toegevoegde waarde}} / ''{{lang|nl| Omzetbelasting}}''

|-
| {{POL}}
| 23%
| 8%, 5%,<ref name="EU_VAT_2011-1-1" /> and 0%<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatcalc.com/poland/poland-emergency-vat-cuts-update/|title=Poland emergency VAT cuts update - vatcalc.com|first=Author: Richard|last=Asquith|date=14 December 2022}}</ref>
| {{lang|pl|PTU}}; VAT
| {{langx|pl|Podatek od towarów i usług}}
|-
| {{plainlist|
* {{PRT}}
* &nbsp;'''∟''' {{flag|Azores}}
* &nbsp;'''∟''' {{flag|Madeira}}
}}
| {{plainlist|
* 23%<ref name="portugal">{{cite web|url=http://www.tmf-group.com/en/media-centre/resources/vat-news/vat-country-profiles/vat-in-portugal|title=VAT in Portugal|website=www.tmf-group.com}}</ref>
* 16%<ref name="portugal" />
* 22%<ref name="portugal" />
}}
| {{plainlist|
* 13% or 6%<ref name="portugal" />
* 9% or 4%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vatlive.com/european-news/portugal-azores-reduced-vat-rates-decreased/|title=Portugal Azores reduced VAT rates decreased - Avalara VATLive|date=22 August 2015}}</ref>
* 12% or 5%<ref name="portugal" />
}}
| {{lang|pt|IVA}}
| {{langx|pt|Imposto sobre o Valor Acrescentado}}
|-
| {{ROU}}
| 19%
| 9%, 8%, or 5%<ref name="EU_VAT_2011-1-1" />
| {{lang|ro|TVA}}
| {{langx|ro|Taxa pe valoarea adăugată}}
|-
| {{SVK}}
| 20%
| 10%
| {{lang|sk|DPH}}
| {{langx|sk|Daň z pridanej hodnoty}}
|-
| {{SVN}}
| 22%
| 9.5% or 5%
| {{lang|sl|DDV}}
| {{langx|sl|Davek na dodano vrednost}}
|-
| {{ESP}}
| 21%<ref name="SpanishVAT">{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-economy-cuts-idUKBRE86A0AI20120711|title=Spain unveils new austerity under European pressure|first=Reuters|last=Editorial|newspaper=Reuters|date=11 July 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
| 10% or 4%<ref name="SpanishVAT" />
| {{lang|es|IVA}}
| {{langx|es|Impuesto sobre el valor añadido}}
|-
| {{SWE}}
| 25%
| 12% or 6%
| {{lang|sv|Moms}}
| {{langx|sv|Mervärdesskatt}}
|}

==EU VAT area==
The EU VAT area is a territory consisting of all [[member state of the European Union|member states of the European Union]] and certain other countries which follow the European Union's (EU) rules on VAT.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatglobal.com/eu-vat-table|title=VAT in Europe - EU VAT Rates, Formats, Thresholds & Registration {{!}} VAT Global|website=www.vatglobal.com|access-date=11 November 2019|archive-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030132304/https://www.vatglobal.com/eu-vat-table|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/faq/faq_1179_en.htm#9|title=Taxation and Customs Union -> Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=[[European Commission]]|access-date=19 February 2013}}</ref> The principle is also valid for some special taxes on products like alcohol and tobacco.

All EU member states are part of the VAT area. However some areas of member states are exempt areas:

===Territories outside of the EU that are included===
Included with the Republic of Cyprus at its 19% rate:
*[[Akrotiri and Dhekelia]] (British Overseas Territory)

Included with France at its 20% rate:
*[[Monaco]] (sovereign state)

Applies the United Kingdom 20% rate:
*[[Northern Ireland]] aligned with EU VAT Area VAT rules on goods only.<ref>{{cite web |title=VAT – Trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland |url=https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/brexit/information-for-businesses-trading-with-ni/vat-trade-with-ni-after-transition/index.aspx |website=www.revenue.ie |publisher=Government of Ireland |access-date=2 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Changes to accounting for VAT for Northern Ireland and Great Britain from 1 January 2021 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accounting-for-vat-on-goods-moving-between-great-britain-and-northern-ireland-from-1-january-2021 |website=GOV.UK |publisher=HM Government. |access-date=2 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref> (See [[Northern Ireland Protocol]].)

===Territories within the EU which are excluded===
Finland:
* [[Åland]]<ref name="reason2">Areas excluded from VAT area by Article 6 of Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 (as amended) on the common system of value added tax ({{CELEX|32006L0112|text=OJ L 347, 11 December 2006, p. 1}}).</ref> (local VAT)

France:
*[[French Guiana]]<ref name="reason2" /> (VAT free)
*[[Guadeloupe]]<ref name="reason2" /> (local VAT)
*[[Martinique]]<ref name="reason2" /> (local VAT)
*[[Mayotte]]<ref name="reason2" /> (VAT free)
*[[Réunion]]<ref name="reason2" /> (local VAT)
*[[Collectivity of Saint Martin|Saint Martin]]<ref name="reason2" /> (local VAT)

Germany:
*[[Büsingen am Hochrhein]]<ref name="reason2" /><ref name="buesingen">{{cite web|url=http://www.buesingen.de/de/Wirtschaft+Bauen/Wirtschaftsf%C3%B6rderung|title=Wirtschaftsförderung - Gemeinde Büsingen |website=Buesingen.de|access-date=2020-01-14}}</ref> (enclave within Switzerland; Swiss VAT rates apply within [[Swiss Customs Area]])
*[[Heligoland]]<ref name="reason2" /> (a small German archipelago in the North Sea with VAT free status)

Greece:
*[[Mount Athos]]<ref name="reason2" /> (VAT free)

Italy:
*[[Campione d'Italia]] and the Italian waters of [[Lake Lugano]]<ref name="reason2" /> (enclave within Switzerland; VAT free, local purchase tax equivalent to Swiss VAT applies)
*[[Livigno]] (alpine town with VAT free status due to relative isolation)<ref>{{CELEX|32006L0112|text=Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax}}</ref><ref>{{CELEX|32013R0952|text=Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code}}</ref>

Spain:
*[[Canary Islands]]<ref name="reason2" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lowtax.net/information/spain/spain-canary-islands-special-zone.html |title=Spain: Related Information – Canary Islands Special Zone |date=2019 |publisher=Wolters Kluwer |access-date=8 November 2019 |archive-date=8 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108211120/https://www.lowtax.net/information/spain/spain-canary-islands-special-zone.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> (VAT free, a local sales tax applies)
*[[Ceuta]]<ref name="reason2" /> (VAT free territory in Africa)
*[[Melilla]]<ref name="reason2" /> (VAT free territory in Africa)

===Territories connected to or bordering EU VAT area countries and not included===
[[Danish Realm|Kingdom of Denmark]]:
*[[Faroe Islands]]<ref>Excluded from the European Union by virtue of Article 355(5)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.</ref>
*[[Greenland]]<ref name="reason1">Designated as overseas countries and territories of the European Union (meaning they are not part of the EU), and have also not opted to participate in the VAT area.</ref>

France:
*[[Clipperton Island]]<ref name="reason1" />
*[[French Southern and Antarctic Lands|French Southern Territories]]<ref name="reason1" />
*[[New Caledonia]]<ref name="reason1" />
*[[Overseas collectivity|Overseas collectivities]]<ref name="reason1" />

[[Kingdom of the Netherlands]]:
*[[Aruba]]<ref name="reason1" />
*[[Caribbean Netherlands]]<ref name="reason1" />
*[[Curaçao]]<ref name="reason1" />
*[[Sint Maarten]]<ref name="reason1" />

Other nations:
*[[Iceland]]
*[[Liechtenstein]] (in a customs union with Switzerland; Swiss VAT rates apply within Switzerland–Liechtenstein customs area)
*[[Norway]], including [[Svalbard]], [[Jan Mayen]] and [[Bouvet Island]]
*[[Andorra]]
*[[Vatican City]]
*[[San Marino]]
*[[Switzerland]], including [[Samnaun]]
*[[Crown Dependencies]] of the [[United Kingdom]]: [[Jersey]], [[Guernsey]] and [[Isle of Man]] and one overseas territory: [[Gibraltar]].{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}.

==See also==
*[[European Union Customs Union]]
*[[Sales tax]]
*[[Special member state territories and the European Union]]
*[[European Customs Information Portal (ECIP)]]
*[[VAT identification number]]
*[[VAT Information Exchange System]] (VIES)
*[[VAT-free imports from the Channel Islands]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{CELEX|32006L0112|text=Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax}} {{CELEX|02006L0112-20220701|text=(Consolidated text: version of 1 July 2022)}}
*{{CELEX|31977L0388|text=Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes – Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment] (not in force: repealed by directive 2006/112/EC}}
*{{CELEX|31979L1072|text=Council Directive 79/1072/EEC of 6 December 1979 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes – Arrangements for the refund of value added tax to taxable persons not established in the territory of the country] (not in force: repealed by directive 2008/9/EC}}
*{{CELEX|31986L0560|text=Council Directive 86/560/EEC of 17 November 1986 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes – Arrangements for the refund of value added tax to taxable persons not established in Community territory}}
*{{CELEX|32003R1798|text=Council Regulation (EC) No 1798/2003 of 7 October 2003 on administrative cooperation in the field of value added tax}}
*{{CELEX|32008L0009|text=Council Directive 2008/9/EC of 12 February 2008 laying down detailed rules for the refund of value added tax, provided for in Directive 2006/112/EC, to taxable persons not established in the Member State of refund but established in another Member State}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080216103716/http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/vat/traders/vat_refunds/index_en.htm VAT refunds]
*[http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/?locale=en Online tax database VIES]
*{{cite web
| url=http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/rates/vat_rates_en.pdf
| title=VAT Rates Applied in the Member States of the European Union
| date=1 July 2012
| publisher=[[European Commission]]
| access-date=1 May 2011
| archive-date=7 March 2007
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307103319/http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/rates/vat_rates_en.pdf
| url-status=dead
}}

[[Category:European Union law]]
[[Category:Taxation in the European Union]]
[[Category:Value added taxes]]