EUROPEAN COMMISSION EUROSTAT Directorate C: National accounts, prices and key indicators Unit C-5: Price statistics; Purchasing Power Parities. Housing statistics HICP at constant tax rates Overview of VAT rates and changes in these rates (since December 2002) Belgium Standard rate 21% (unchanged since 1996). Since 1.1.2012, notary fees are subject to a VAT rate of 21%. Previously, there was no VAT on these services. Bulgaria Standard rate: 20% Intermediate rate: 12% applies to a limited number of transactions (e.g. cultural services). Since 1.1.2010 applies also to restaurants and cafés. Reduced rate: 6% rates (applies to public housing, refurbishment of old housing, food, water, pharmaceuticals, public transport, hotels, tools for garden, animals, art and publications); since 1.4.2004 applies also to nonalcoholic beverages(standard rate before). Zero rate or exemption applies to medical and hospital services, waste products and newspapers. Reduced rate: 7% (applied for accommodation provided by hotelier, where part of a package tour from 1.1.2007 to 31.3.2011). 9% (applied for accommodation provided by a hotelier from 1.4.2011 to 31.12.2011). 9% applies since 1.1.2012 for accommodation in hotels and similar establishments, including holiday accommodation and letting of places for camping and caravan sites. Zero rate or exemption: international transport of passengers; services, provided by agents, brokers and other intermediary; health (medical) care services and delivery of denture prosthesis's; social care services; education services; sales of tickets by cultural organizations; goods and carrying out services by the Bulgarian orthodox church and other registered religions; letting out a building or part of it for dwelling to natural person, different from trader; delivery of certain financial services; insurance services; gambling; postage stamps and universal postal services. Czech Republic Standard rate: 22% (until April 2004), 19% (since May 2004), 20% (since January 2010). Reduced rate: 5% (applies to certain services and essential goods, e.g. food, drugs), 9% since January 2008, 10% since January 2010, 14% since January 2012. Zero rate or exemption: Certain services (e.g. banking services, insurance, financial operations) 1
Denmark Standard rate: 25% Zero rate or exemption: Transport services, insurance, financial services, postal services, health services, social services, education, rents, package holidays (until January 2011. After January 2011 the service charge of package holiday providers has been subject to VAT), some cultural services (museums, zoo's, etc.) and newspapers. Germany Standard rate: 16% (until December 2006), 19% (since January 2007) Reduced rate: 7% (since January 2010) e.g. for staple food, public transport, books and accommodation Zero rate or exemption: e.g. for rents, doctors' services Estonia Standard rate: 20% since July 2009 Reduced rate: 9% (since 1.1.2009) applies to books, newspapers, medicines, hotels. Zero rate or exemption: e.g. for rents, doctors' services, banking services, insurance. Greece Standard rate: 23% (since July 2010), from 21% (March 2010 to June 2010), from 19% (April 2005 to February 2010), and 18% (December 2002 to March 2005). Reduced rate: 13% (since January 2011), from 11% (July 2010 to December 2010), from 10% (March 2010 to June 2010), from 9% (April 2005 to February 2010), and 8% (December 2002 to March 2005). Reduced rate applies to fresh food products, processed food products, transportation and electricity, etc. Super reduced rate: 6.5% (since January 2011), from 5.5% (July 2010 to December 2010), from 5% (March 2010 to June 2010), from 4.5% (April 2005 to February 2010), and 4% (December 2002 to March 2005). Super reduced rate applies to pharmaceutical products (medicines), hotel accommodation services, magazines, newspapers and books, etc. Exempted items: rentals, refuse collection, medical, paramedical, dental services, traffic dues, postal services, museum tickets, subscription to state television network, education (tuition fees), social protection services, insurance, financial services. Ireland Standard rate: 21% (December 2002 - November 2008), 21.5% (December 2008 - December 2009), 21% (January 2010 - December 2011), 23% (since January 2012). Reduced rate: 12.5% (December 2002), 13.5% (since January 2003) e.g. various services, household energy and fuel. 2
Ireland (cont.) Second reduced rate: 9% (since July 2011) (e.g. restaurants, cafes, fast food, take-away food and accommodation services). Zero rate or exemption: e.g. majority of food items, children's clothing and footwear, rents, education, insurance. Spain Standard rate: 16% until June 2010; 18% from July 2010 to August 2012; 21% from September 2012. Standard rate: until August 2012, the reduced rate was levied on cosmetic surgery, plants and flowers, veterinary services, some recreational and cultural services (such as fitness centres, cinemas or theatres), combined accommodation or catering services (i.e. in places providing recreational or entertainment services), hairdressing services and funeral services; but since September 2012 the standard rate applies to all these items. Before January 2006 and after August 2012, the standard rate applies also to pay television (reduced rate in between). The standard rate is also levied on school materials since September 2012 (super-reduced rate before). Reduced rate: 7% until June 2010; 8% from July 2010 to August 2012; 10% since September 2012. This rate is levied basically on food (other than staples) and non-alcoholic drinks, water supply, medical products and appliances, transport services, products for pets, restaurants and hotels and some personal hygiene products. Super-reduced rate: 4%. It is levied on staple food, medicines, books, newspapers and periodicals. Zero rate or exemption: rentals for housing, services relating to the dwelling, health services, postal services, social protection, education, insurance and financial services. France Standard rate: 19.6% Reduced rate: 5.5% (applies to essential goods and certain periodicals, to 'take away' and canteens. Since 1.7.2009 it applies also to restaurants and cafés, excluding alcoholic products). Super reduced rate: 2.1% (applies to daily newspapers, certain theatre performances and approved medicines) Zero rate or exemption: health services and social care, insurances (special tax), rents and education Italy Standard rate: 20% (until 15.9.2011), 21% (since 16.9.2011). Reduced rate: 10% applies to foodstuffs (where the super-reduced rate doesn't apply), water supply, refuse and sewerage collection, electricity, gas in cylinder and solid fuels, services for maintenance and repair of the dwelling, passenger transport services, artistic performances, restaurant, café and the like and accommodation services. 3
Italy (cont.) Super-reduced rate: 4% applies mostly to staple foodstuffs, some medical appliances, books, newspapers and periodicals, TV subscription and canteens. Zero rate or exemption: housing rental, medical services, taxi, some cultural services, education, social services, some postal and financial services, insurance. Cyprus Standard rate: 17% (since 03.2012) ; 15% (until 02.2012) Reduced rate: 8% (applies for restaurants), reduced to 5% for pharmaceuticals products and foodstuffs (since 01.2011), Water supply and Gas, Passenger transport by road, Newspapers, books, magazines, Hotels, hairdressing. Zero rate or exemption: on Medical and Hospital services, Transport services, Road Tax of Motorcars, Education, Insurance, Financial Services, Other Services n.e.c., actual rentals for housing, refuse collection, sewerage collection. Latvia Standard rate: 21% (since 07.2012), 22% (01.2011-06.2012), 21% (01.2009-12.2010). 18% (until 12.2008). Reduced rate: 9% (until 04.2004), 5% (05.2004-12.2008), 10% (01.2009-12.2010), 12% (since 01.2011) applies to goods and services such as: baby food, solid fuels (01.2007-12.2008 and since 08 2009), heat energy, medicines, medical equipment and goods for the disabled, some transport services, books, newspapers, magazines and periodicals (until 12.2008 and since 08.2009), hotel services (until 12 2008 and since 05.2010), services of minor repairs and maintenance of dwelling, hairdressing, (01.2007-12.2008) water supply, refuse collection, sewerage collection, subscription to cable TV and pay-tv, cinema tickets (until 12.2008), electricity (until 12.2010), natural gas (until 06.2011). Zero rate or exemption: on housing rental and maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings, medical services, passenger transport by road, air and sea (when travelling outside country), postal services, theatres and museums, package holidays (outside country), education, social protection, insurance and financial services. Lithuania Standard rate: 18% (until 31.12. 2008), 19% (from 1.1.2009 to 31.8.2009), 21% (since 1.9.2009). Reduced rate: 9% was applied to heat energy supplied for housing heating (until 1.5.2004). From 1.9.2009 to 31.12.2012 9% is applied for housing heating and for hot water. Since 1.1.2009 9% is applied to books and non-periodical information publications. From 1.1.2011 to 31.12.2011 9% was applied for accommodation services in hotels. Super reduced rate: 5% until 31.12.2008 applied to passenger transportation services, books, newspapers, periodicals; pharmaceuticals products, dental care products, medical equipment; accommodation at hotels and other special accommodation services; 4
Lithuania (cont.) chilled meat and edible offal; chilled, frozen and deep frozen meat of poultry; fresh and frozen fish. Luxembourg Standard rate: 15% - From 17.1.2006 to 31.1.2008 applied to various arts, cultural and sport events, which are not exempt from VAT. - From 1.1.2009 to 31.12.2012 5% is applied to pharmaceuticals products, medical aids to persons who have the right to reimbursement of the acquisition expenses. Zero rate or exemption for services provided by a travel agent; international passenger transport; renting of residential premises with exception of the provision of accommodation in hotels, motels, camping sites or in sectors with a similar function; health care services; postal services; cultural services supplied by non-profit making legal persons; education; social services by children and young people care institutions, by old people s homes and/or by the care/guardianship institutions for the disabled or by other non-profit making legal persons; insurance services; certain financial services (postal financial services standard rate from 1.1.2010 to 28.02.2011). Intermediate rate: 12% applies to wine and solid fuels. Reduced rate: 6% applies to gas, electric power, flowers and labourintensive services such as hairdressing, window cleaning, repair of clothing and footwear, and repair of bicycles. Super-reduced rate: 3% applies to food and beverages, clothing and footwear for children, water supply, refuse collection, sewerage collection, pharmaceutical products, sporting and cultural services, books, newspapers and road maps, passenger transport, accommodation in hotels, services provides by restaurants and the like, and services supplied by undertaker and other funeral services. Hungary Standard rate: 25% (until 31.12.2005), 20% (1.1.2006-30.6.2009), 25% (1.7.2009-31.12.2011), 27% (since 1.1.2012) Malta Standard rate: 18% Reduced rate: 15% (until August 2006), this rate was abolished from1.9.2006 until 30.6.2009, 18% (since 1.7.2009): applies to dairy products, bread and bakery products, accommodation services (as from August 2009) and district heating (until 14.1.2010). Super reduced rate: 5% applies to pharmaceutical products, books, newspapers and district heating (since 15.1.2010). Zero rate or exemption: health (medical) care services; dental treatments; social protection; international passenger transport; education; insurance services; financial services; postal services. Reduced rate: 5% applicable to holiday accommodation, cultural activities, electricity, printed material. Holiday accommodation is 5
Malta (cont.) being charged at 7% since January 2011 Zero rate or exemption: for food, pharmaceutical goods and local transport. Netherlands Standard rate: 17.5% (until 2000), 19% (1.1.2001-30.9.2012), 21% (since 1.10.2012) Austria Standard rate: 20%. Reduced rate: 6% applies to food, water, pharmaceuticals, medical products, art, cultural and sport events and facilities, books and publications, flowers, bulbs and plants, public transport, repair of bikes, shoes and clothes, hairdressing, accommodation services, maintenance of the house. Exemption: Undertakers, financial services and insurances, health care, social care services, education, postal services, renting of immovable property, services of sports clubs. Intermediate rate: 12% Reduced rate: 10% (applies to basic foodstuffs, books and newspapers, public transport and renting of residential immovable property) Poland Standard rate: 23% (22% to December 2010) Reduce rate: 8% (7% to December 2010) applies to, inter alia, some of food products, medicines, some other medical products and therapeutic equipment (eyeglass lenses), newspapers and periodicals, and some services (inter alia, clothing, national passenger transport, some services in the field of accommodation, culture and recreation and also municipal services, residence services, funeral and cemetery services, catering services, veterinary services), beauty services. Super reduced rate: 5% (3% to December 2010) applies to the majority food products, books, newsagent s and periodical for education purposes. Zero rate or exemption: some fees associated with the use of flat, services in the fields of health care, services in the field of education, post services, TV and radio fees, social care services, insurance, some financial services, government services, some court and barrister services. Portugal Changes in Value Added Tax (VAT) rates were implemented as of 1st January 2012. For a significant number of goods and services VAT rates changed from the reduced (6%) and intermediate rate (13%) to the standard rate (23%), in the mainland. Additionally, some products that were taxed at the reduced rate changed to the intermediate rate. Similar changes were also introduced in the Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira. Standard rate: 6
Portugal (cont.) - Mainland: 19% (5.06.2002-30.6.2005), 21% (1.7.2005-30.6.2008), 20% (1.7.2008-30.6.2010), 21% (1.7.2010-31.12.2010), 23% (since 1.1.2011) - Azores: 13% (15.6.2002-30.6.2005), 15% (1.7.2005-30.6.2008), 14% (1.7.2008-31.6.2010), 15% (1.7.2010-31.12.2010), 16% (since 1.1.2011) - Madeira 13% (15.6.2002-30.6.2005), 15% (1.7.2005-30.6.2008), 14% (1.7.2008-31.6.2010), 15% (1.7.2010-31.12.2010), 16% (1.1.2011-31.3.2012), 22% (since 1.4.2012) Intermediate rate: - Mainland: 12% (until 31.6.2010), 13% (since 1.7.2010) - Azores: 8% (until 31.6.2010), 9% (since 1.7.2010) - Madeira: 8% (until 31.6.2010), 9% (1.7.2010-31.3.2012), 12% (since 1.4.2012) The intermediate (parking) rate of 13% applies to some wines and foodstuffs, dyed petroleum, diesel, fuel oil and certain public entertainment events such as dance, music, theatre and cinema. Reduced rate: - Mainland: 5% (until 31.6.2010), 6% (since 1.7.2010) - Azores: 4% - Madeira: 4% (until 31.3.2012), 6% (since 1.4.2012) The reduced rate applies to a list of goods and services including basic foodstuffs, supply of water, medicines, medical equipment for disabled persons, transport of passengers, books, newspapers and periodicals, camping and hotel accommodation. Zero rate or exemption apply to, among others, medical services, welfare services, cultural and sporting activities (when carried out by non-profit making organizations), education and training (subject to the conditions laid down by law), postal services (except telecommunications), burial and cremation services, most banking and financial services and insurance. Romania Standard rate: 24% (since 01.07.2010) Reduced rate: 9% applies to several goods like pharmaceuticals products, books, newspapers, admission to cultural services and hotel accommodation. Zero rate or exemptions apply to, among others, medical treatments; educational and cultural activities (with some exceptions), public postal services, certain banking and financial transactions and insurance. 7
Slovenia Standard rate: 20%. Reduced rate: 8.5% applies to goods and services including, inter alia, foodstuffs, preparation of meals; sewage and refuse disposal; medicines and medical appliances for disabled; passenger transport; books and periodicals; cultural and sporting events; accommodation provided in hotels and similar establishments. Since 1. 1. 2010 applies also to hairdressing services and some cleaning and small repair services. Zero rate or exemption applies to medical and hospital services, social services, education, financial services, insurance services, rents and passenger transport by air. Slovakia Standard rate: 23% (until 31.12. 2002), 20% (since 1.1.2003-31.12.2003), 19% (since 1.1.2004-31.12.2006 generally applied without reduced rate, since 1.1.2007 31.12.2010 applied with reduced rate), 20% (since 1.1.2011). Reduced rate: 10% (until 31.12. 2002 - applies to foodstuffs and restaurant and catering services, refuse collection, medical products, appliances and equipment, electricity, gas and other fuels, schools and pensioners catering, books and stationery, accommodation in the university campus, notary fee, services for the regular maintenance and repair of the dwelling, sporting and recreational services), 14% (since 1.1.2003-31.12.2003 applies to foodstuffs and restaurant and catering services, refuse collection, medical products, appliances and equipment, appliances and equipment, electricity, gas and other fuels, schools and pensioners catering, books and stationery, accommodation in the university campus, notary fee, services for the regular maintenance and repair of the dwelling, sporting and recreational services), 10%. (since 1.1.2007 applies to medical products, appliances and equipment), 10%. (since 1.1.2008 applied except medical products, appliances and equipment also for books), 10% (since 1.1.2011 applies to medical products, appliances and equipment and books) Zero rate or exemption: Certain services (e.g. rental, medical and dental services, postal, television and radio broadcasting, pre-primary and primary education, entry fee for universities, banking services, social protection, insurance, court taxes) Finland Standard rate: 1.7.2010-31.12.2012: 23%. Since 1.1.2013:24% Reduced rate: 1.7.2010-31.12.2012: 13% for food, restaurants and catering services. Since 1.1.2013: 14% Super reduced rate:1.7.2010-31.12.2012: 9% for a list of goods including medicines, books, cinema tickets, passenger transport, accommodation services, TV licences, sports services and subscriptions for newspapers; for the years 2007-2010, this rate also applies to hairdressing and small repair services. Since 1.1.2013: 10%. 8
Sweden Standard rate : 25% Reduced rate: 12% applies to food, catering services and accommodation services Super-reduced rate: 6% applies to daily and weekly newspapers and periodicals, on books, on ski-lift services, on personal transports and on recreation and culture services. Zero rate or exemption for prescription medicines, a number of financial services as well as insurance and reinsurance services. United Kingdom Standard rate: 20 %; (Since January 2011) to 17.5%, temporary reduction to 15% (1.12.2008-31.12.2009) Reduced rate: 5% applies to electricity, gas and other fuels, a small number of personal care, medical products and insurance services. Zero rate or exemption for among others, food, education fees, certain banking and financial transactions, children's clothing, public transport fares, prescription medicines, the provision of certain health and caring services (e.g. eye tests, dental charges, cost of nursing and residential home care etc.) and books and newspapers. Link to the published documents: https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/7c3c28e2-cb0a-4e07-8fc5-f3bc3ce69ee9 9