+++ EU - 2009 VAT refund deadline delayed from Sep 2010 to Mar 2011 +++ Poland - 1% VAT increase to 23% +++ Australia - Victoria Fire Service Levy to be scrapped in July 2012 +++ UK - VAT to increase from Jan 2011 +++ Romania - increases VAT 5% to 24% +++ UK - confusion on UK 1% IPT increase +++ Andorra - 4.5% VAT to be introduced +++ India - GST to be implemented April 2010 at three standard rates +++ Bulgaria - to introduce insurance premium tax at 2% +++ Finland - VAT and IPT raised to 23% +++ Belgium - the 9.25% insurance premium tax on credit insurance has been withdrawn +++ Canada - HST introduced in British Columbia and Ontario +++ Hungary - implements insurance premium tax +++ Bulgaria - Intrastat reporting thresholds increased +++ UK - HMRC backs down on VAT on InsuranceWide comparison website +++ France - changes requirements for fiscal rep on insurance +++ Bulgaria - New proposals being pushed with the World Bank to introduce mandatory Catastrope Fund to cover earthquakes etc. +++ +++ EU adopts new VAT Directive on electronic invoices +++ Portugal - increased VAT by 1% to 21% +++ New Zealand - increases GST to 15% +++ Spain - VAT rate increases to 18% +++ Croatia - a 10% motor 3rd party liablitiy risk premium will be charged from 2009 to cover traffic accident costs +++ Czech Republic - new rules on non-resident traders extends the requirement to VAT register +++ Greece in second emergency VAT increase from July +++ Hungary - increased VAT rate to 25% +++ Czech Republic - proposal to change VAT payment point to when cash received +++ Mexico - simplification of VAT reporting +++ EU - ECJ court ruling imposes VAT on salary sacrifice schemes and vouchers +++ Italy - extends reverse charge on VAT for foreign companies +++ Denmark - extension of VAT reverse charge on services from non-resident suppliers +++ Panama - increases VAT to 7% +++ Denmark - overhaul of VAT registration process to comply with EU employment law +++ Estonia - reduced VAT increased from 5% to 9%; many items now on standard rate +++ France - National Guarantee Fund levy on insurance premiums is rising +++ Mexico - increases VAT 1% to 16% +++ Estonia - 2% increased VAT from July 09 to help combat financial crisis +++ EU - New proposals to force all EU member states to switch to monthly VAT reporting to help combat fraud +++ EU - more proof required for VAT import exemptions for onward supply relief +++ EU - Revised Mutual Assistance Directive issued to assist tax authorities share information on VAT +++ EU - Revised Mutual Assistance Directive issued to assist tax authorities share information on IPT +++ EU - new electronic service to verify authenticity of VAT numbers +++ Finland - Traffic Safety Charge for 2009 will be Euro 7.2m +++ France - Tough new invoice requirements to help combat fraud +++ Taiwan - introduces VAT refunds for non-resident businesses +++ France - French Motor Insurance Parafiscal Charge hike from 0.1% to 0.6% +++ France - Natural Disaster Compensation Scheme has increased again from 8% to 12% +++ France - New information requirements for foreign companies applying for non-resident VAT registrations +++ Taiwan - introduces VAT refunds for non-resident businesses +++ France - Confirmation of changes to ACOSS levies, which are now managed by URSSAF +++ Germany - New IPT levy on Surety and Financial Guarantee reinsurance +++ India - sets CENVAT at 10.3% Germany - valid VAT number may not be sufficient evidence alone to allow for zero rating on intra-community supply +++ Germany - proposal to scap the requirement for annual VAT returns +++ Greece - withdrawal of Stamp Duty underway; Life and Damage insurance now exempt +++ Hungary - rules on tax point (now when invoice paid) creates risks for VAT recovery +++ India - many new activities brought into Service Tax regime +++ Hungary - Aircraft hull and aviation liability is now exempt from the 1.5% Fire Brigade Charge +++ Ireland - New retrictions on VAT relief on bad debts +++ Ireland - government insurance levy on non-Life increases from 2% to 3%; new 1% levy on Life +++ Mexico - simplification of VAT reporting +++ Italy - Hunting Accident Victims' Fund changed to 5% of 94% of premium +++ Italy - Scraping of the requirement on VAT-registered businesses for the annual filing of lists of customers and suppliers +++ Italy - Court ruling that VAT reclaims deadline should be two years +++ Italy - potential to defer VAT payments to point where cash received +++ Latvia - standard rate VAT increased by 3% to 21% from Jan 2009 +++ Latvia - 2% VAT increase to take standard rate to 23% from 2010 +++ Luxembourg - Fiscal representation revived for importers of goods +++ Luxembourg - international shipping vessels registered in Lux are IPT exempt +++ Netherlands, The - Tax authorities increase IPT rate from 7% to 7.5% +++ Poland - Potential for quarterly VAT returns +++ Poland - Plans for reverse charge on consignment stock +++ Poland - New 12% Parafiscal Charge on Motor Liability contracts to cover medical care at accidents +++ Poland - improved import VAT set-off scheme for established importers +++ Poland - Polish insurance chamber of commerce says 12% levy on 3rd party motor insurance to go +++ Poland - motor liability insurance is now exempt from the Fire Brigade Tax +++ Romania - Proposals being drawn up with the World Bank for new compulsory national catastrophe program +++ Romania - invoice issuing deadline has been extended to 15 days after the month of the taxable supply +++ Slovakia - adoption of the Euro brings new VAT return form +++ Slovakia - calls for increased VAT rate from the IMF +++ Spain - switch from quarterly to monthly VAT returns proposed +++ Spain - online submissions for non-residents; local bank account still required +++ Sweden - IPT now introduced at 32% of gross premiums on 3rd party liability risks +++ Sweden - group life insurance from Swedish or EU insurers is exempt from IPT +++ Switzerland - VAT rate to 8% in 2011 +++ Ukraine - VAT e-filling obligatory +++ United Kingdom - VAT registration threshold increased to GBP70k +++ Seychelles - introduction of VAT at 10% in 2012 +++ Jersey - call for rise in 3% VAT rate +++ Romania - imposes intra-community supply registers +++ India - GST implementation now planned for April 2011 +++ UK - wins ECJ case on restricting VAT refunds to non-EU banks and insurers +++

EU VAT Rates 2010

Below is an overview of the European VAT rates. They are meant for general guidance only.

Click here to receive regular, free updates on changes in European VAT rates

Austrian VAT Rates

Standard Rate 20% (since Jan 1984)
Reduced Rate 10%,
Austria VAT Recovery Time: 6 months
Austria VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Belgian VAT Rates

Standard Rate 21% (since Jan 1996)
Reduced Rate 6%, 12%
Belgium VAT Recovery Time: 4 months
Belgium VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Bulgarian VAT Rates

Standard Rate 20% (since Jan 1999)
Reduced Rate 7%
Bulgaria VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months
Bulgaria VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: 50,000 BGN

Cypriot VAT Rate

Standard Rate 15% (since Jan 2003)
Reduced Rate 5%, 8%
Cyprus VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months
Cyprus VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Euro 15,600

Czech VAT Rate

Standard Rate 20% (since Jan 2010)
Reduced Rate 10% (since Jan 2010)
Czech Republic VAT Recovery Time: 6 months
Czech Republic VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Danish VAT Rate

Standard Rate 25% (since Jan 1992)
Reduced Rate non
Denmark VAT Recovery Time: 5 months
Denmark VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Estonian VAT Rate

Standard Rate 20% (since 1 July 2009)
Reduced Rate 9%
Estonia VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months
Estonia VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Finnish VAT Rate

Standard Rate 23% (since Jul 2010)
Reduced Rates 9%, 13%
Finland VAT Recovery Time: 4 months
Finland VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

French VAT Rate

Standard Rate 19.6% (since Apr 2000)
Reduced Rate 5.5%, 2.1%
France VAT Recovery Time: 2 months
France VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

German VAT Rate

Standard Rate 19% (since Jan 2007)
Reduced Rate 7%
Germany VAT Recovery Time: 3-4 months
Germany VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Greek VAT Rate

Click here to read about new 2% increase to 23% - 2 May 2010
Standard Rate 23% (since 1 Jul 2010)
Reduced Rate 11%, 5.5% (since 1 Jul 2010)
Greece VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months
Greece VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Hungarian VAT Rate

Standard Rate 25% (since Jul 2009)
Reduced Rate 18%; 5%
Hungary VAT Recovery Time: 6 months
Hungary VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Irish VAT Rate

Standard Rate 21% (since Jan 2010)
Reduced Rate 13.5%
Ireland VAT Recovery Time: 3-4 months
Ireland VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Italian VAT Rate

Standard Rate 20% (since Oct 1997)
Reduced Rate 10%
Italy VAT Recovery Time: 18 months
Italy VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Latvian VAT Rate

Standard Rate 21% (since Jan 2009)
Reduced Rate 10%
Latvia VAT Recovery Time: 6 months
Latvia VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Lithuanian VAT Rate

Standard Rate 21% (since Sep 2009)
Reduced Rate 9%, 5%
Lithuania VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months
Lithuania VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Luxembourg VAT Rate

Standard Rate 15% (since Jan 1992)
Reduced Rate 6%, 12%
Luxembourg VAT Recovery Time: 4 months
Luxembourg VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Maltese VAT Rate

Standard Rate 18% (since Jan 2004)
Reduced Rate 5%
Malta VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months
Malta VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Dutch VAT Rate

Standard Rate 19% (since Jan 2001)
Reduced Rate 6%
Netherlands VAT Recovery Time: 4 months
Netherlands VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Polish VAT Rate

Click here to read about new proposed 1% increase to 23% VAT in Poland
Standard Rate 22% (since Jan 1993)
Reduced Rate 7%
Poland VAT Recovery Time: 18 months
Poland VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Portuguese VAT Rate

Click to read about emergency 1% VAT increase to 21% announced 14 May 2010
Standard Rate 21% (since 1 Jul 2010)
Reduced Rate 6%, 13%
Portugal VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months
Portugal VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Romanian VAT Rate

Click here to read about 5% VAT increase announced 26 June 2010
Standard Rate 24% (since 1 Jul 2010)
Reduced Rate 9%
Romania VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months
Romania VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Slovakian VAT Rate

Standard Rate 19% (since Jan 2007)
Reduced Rate 10%, 6%
Slovakia VAT Recovery Time: 12 months
Slovakia VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Slovenian VAT Rate

Standard Rate 20% (since Jan 2002)
Reduced Rate 8.5%
Slovenia VAT Recovery Time: 6 months
Slovenia VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Spanish VAT Rate

Click here to read about the 2% to 18% Spanish VAT increase
Standard Rate 18% (since 1 July 2010)
Reduced Rate 8%
Spain VAT Recovery Time: 1 months
Spain VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

Swedish VAT Rate

Standard Rate 25% (since Jul 1990)
Reduced Rate 6%, 12%
Sweden VAT Recovery Time: 4 months
Sweden VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: Nil

UK VAT Rate

Click here to read about the Emergency Budget 2.5% increase to 20%
Standard Rate 17.5% (since Jan 2010)
Reduced Rate 5%
UK VAT Recovery Time: 6-8 months
UK VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: GBP 70,000

Norwegian VAT Rate

Standard Rate 25%
Reduced Rate 14%
Norway VAT Recovery Time: 6 months
Norway VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: NOK 50,000

Swiss VAT Rate

Standard Rate 7.6% (8% from 2011 to 2017)
Reduced Rate 2.4%, 3.6% (2.5%, 3.8% from 2011 to 2017)
Switzerland VAT Recovery Time: 6-12 months
Switzerland VAT Registration Threshold Non-Resident: CHF 100,000

Click here to contact TMF’s VAT team to talk about EU VAT rates