Check VAT Rates across EU Countries instantly
Instantly retrieve standard and reduced EU VAT Rates — but the correct rate depends on your product or service classification.
VAT Rates in Europe explained
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax applied to most goods and services across Europe. Within the European Union, all member states are required to implement VAT based on a common framework, while still setting their own national rates.
VAT rates vary by country and typically include a standard rate as well as one or more reduced rates. Reduced VAT rates often apply to essential goods and services such as food, books, medicines, public transport, and accommodation.
For businesses operating across borders, understanding the correct VAT rate is essential for accurate invoicing and compliance. This is particularly important for e-commerce, digital services, and international transactions within the EU.
Since VAT rates differ between countries and can change over time, having access to up-to-date information is crucial.
Why do all EU Countries use VAT?
All countries in the European Union use Value Added Tax (VAT) because it provides a stable and efficient source of government revenue. Instead of taxing income directly, VAT is applied to the consumption of goods and services, making it one of the most reliable tax systems in Europe.
The EU requires all member states to implement VAT under a shared legal framework. This ensures consistency across countries and makes cross-border trade within the EU easier and more transparent for businesses.
VAT is collected at each stage of the supply chain, but the final cost is ultimately paid by the end consumer. Businesses act as intermediaries, collecting and reporting VAT to tax authorities.
Because VAT is based on consumption, it scales naturally with economic activity. This makes it a predictable and widely used tax system across all EU countries.
When does the Standard or Reduced VAT Rate apply?
In most EU countries, the standard VAT rate applies by default. Reduced VAT rates are only available for specific categories of goods and services defined by national legislation.
Whether a reduced VAT rate applies depends on how a product or service is classified. This classification is not always straightforward and often requires detailed interpretation of tax rules.
For example, food products may qualify for a reduced rate, but this can depend on factors such as preparation, packaging, or intended use. Similar distinctions exist for books, digital services, medical products, and many other categories.
As a result, determining the correct VAT rate is not simply a matter of checking country rates. It requires a clear understanding of how your products or services are classified under local VAT rules.
EU VAT Rates by Country
Compare standard and reduced VAT rates across European countries. This overview helps businesses, accountants, and online sellers find the correct VAT rate for invoicing and compliance.
| Country | Country Code | Tax Code | Standard Rate | Reduced Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | AT | USt | 20% | 10%, 13% |
| Belgium | BE | TVA, BTW | 21% | 6%, 12% |
| Bulgaria | BG | DDS | 20% | 9% |
| Croatia | HR | PDV | 25% | 5%, 13% |
| Cyprus | CY | FPA | 19% | 5%, 9%, 3% |
| Czech Republic | CZ | DPH | 21% | 12% |
| Denmark | DK | MOMS | 25% | — |
| Estonia | EE | KMR | 24% | 13%, 9% |
| Finland | FI | AVL, ML | 25.5% | 10%, 13.5% |
| France | FR | TVA | 20% | 5.5%, 10%, 2.1% |
| Germany | DE | USt | 19% | 7% |
| Greece | EL | FPA | 24% | 6%, 13% |
| Hungary | HU | AFA | 27% | 5%, 18% |
| Ireland | IE | VAT | 23% | 9%, 13.5%, 4.8% |
| Italy | IT | IVA | 22% | 5%, 10%, 4% |
| Latvia | LV | PVN | 21% | 5%, 12% |
| Lithuania | LT | PVM | 21% | 5%, 12% |
| Luxembourg | LU | TVA | 17% | 8%, 3%, 14% |
| Malta | MT | VAT | 18% | 5%, 7% |
| Netherlands | NL | BTW | 21% | 9% |
| Norway | NO | MVA | 25% | 15%, 12% |
| Poland | PL | VAT | 23% | 5%, 8% |
| Portugal | PT | IVA | 23% | 6%, 13% |
| Portugal — Azores | PT | IVA | 16% | 9%, 4% |
| Portugal — Madeira | PT | IVA | 22% | 12%, 4% |
| Romania | RO | TVA | 21% | 11% |
| Slovakia | SK | DPH | 23% | 5%, 19% |
| Slovenia | SI | DDV | 22% | 5%, 9.5% |
| Spain | ES | IVA | 21% | 10%, 4% |
| Sweden | SE | MOMS | 25% | 6%, 12% |
| Switzerland | CH | MWST | 8.1% | 2.6%, 3.8% |
| UK | GB | VAT | 20% | 5% |
Last update: January 2026
Information provided without guarantee.
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Determine the correct VAT Rate for your Products
Applying the correct VAT rate depends on accurate product classification and country-specific rules. VATRules automatically assigns the correct VAT treatment to your products based on continuously updated tax data across EU countries.