VATLive > Blog > Worldwide > Covid-19 VAT rate changes

COVID-19 VAT rate cuts

  • Jul 7, 2020 | Richard Asquith
Covid-19 VAT rate cuts

Most countries around the world have looked to VAT / GST measures to help support businesses and consumers during the Coronavirus pandemic crisis. Below is a live list of major VAT rate cuts announced since March 2020. This excludes reductions on rates of COVID-related medicines and equipment supplies.

CountrySupplyOld rateNew rateImplementation dateEnd date
AustriaNon-Alcoholic beverages20%10%01 Jul 202031 Dec 2020
AustriaHospitality, Culture, some print10%5%01 Jul 202031 Dec 2020
BelgiumHospitality, restaurants, cafes and publishing12%6%8 Jun 202031 Dec 2020
BulgariaHospitality, restaurants, cafes and books21%10%01 Jul 202031 Dec 2020
ColombiaHospitality, restaurants, cafes8%0%25 May 202031 Dec 2020
Costa RicaStandard rate13%9%TBCTBC
Costa RicaLive and cultural event tickets13%7%TBCTBC
Costa RicaTourism13%0%1 Jul 202030 Jun 2021
CroatiaBasic foodstuffs25%13%TBCTBC
CyprusHotels, accommodation, hospitality, restaurants, cafes and public transport9%5%01 Jul 202010 Jan 2021
Czech RepublicAccommodation; sports and cultural activities15%10%01 Jul 202031 Dec 2020
GermanyStandard rate19%16%01 Jul 202031 Dec 2020
GermanyReduced rate7%5%01 Jul 202031 Dec 2020
GermanyHospitality, restaurants, cafes7%5%01 Jul 20201 Jul 2021
GreecePublic transport, taxis, ferries24%13%01 Jun 202031 Oct 2020
GreeceTransport, coffee, non-alcoholic beverages, cinemas and tourist services24%13%01 Jun 202031 Apr 2021
IrelandStandard rate23%21%01 Sep 202028 Feb 2021
IrelandTourism and hospitality services13.5%9%01 Nov 202031 Dec 2021
JamaicaStandard rate16.5%15%01 Apr 202031 Mar 2021
KenyaStandard rate16%14%01 Apr 2020-
LithuaniaHospitality, restaurants, cafes21%9%TBC31 Dec 2020
MalaysiaService Tax on Hotels6%0%30 Mar 202030 Jun 2021
MalaysiaTourism TaxRM10RM001 Jul 202030 Jun 2021
MexicoStandard rate16%10%TBCTBC
MoldovaHospitality, restaurants, cafes20%15%01 May 202031 Dec 2020
MontenegroRestaurants, cafes and catering services21%7%04 Aug 202031 Aug  2021
NorwayCinema, hotels, public transport12%6%01 Apr 202031 Dec 2020
PolandChange in VAT reporting matrix--01 Jul 2020-
Saudi ArabiaStandard Rate5%15%01 Jul 2020-
TurkeyHotels, accommodation, domestic flights18%1%01 Apr 202030 Nov 2020
UKE-books and online journals20%0%01 May 2020-
UKHospitality and tourism including restaurants; cafes; pubs (ex alcohol); hospitality; hotels; B&B's; home rental; caravan and tent sites; hot take away food; theatres; circuses; amusement parks; concerts; museums; zoos; cinemas; and exhibitions. Note: served alcoholic drinks will not benefit from the cut.20%5%15 Jul 202031 Mar 2021
UkraineCultural events, domestic electricity20%10%17 Mar 202031 Dec 2020

Follow Avalara’s live global coronavirus Covid-19 VAT tracker for details of all indirect tax measures.

Explore more content like this in our Building for COVID-19 recovery hub

Latest Coronavirus news

Total results : 4
avalara:content-tags/topic/covid-19,avalara:content-tags/asset-type/blog-post,avalara:content-tags/tax-type/vat
Jan-11-2023

Union vs non-Union OSS: what’s the difference?

avalara:content-tags/topic/covid-19,avalara:content-tags/asset-type/blog-post,avalara:content-tags/tax-type/vat
Nov-8-2022

UK VAT Guide - Avalara

avalara:content-tags/topic/covid-19,avalara:content-tags/asset-type/blog-post,avalara:content-tags/tax-type/vat
Jul-4-2022

North America Country VAT Guide - Avalara

avalara:content-tags/topic/covid-19,avalara:content-tags/asset-type/blog-post,avalara:content-tags/tax-type/vat
May-31-2022

US 2021 sales tax updates for foreign businesses

VP Global Indirect Tax
Richard Asquith
VP Global Indirect Tax Richard Asquith
Richard Asquith is the former VP Global Indirect Tax at Avalara
VATlive newsletter
Subscribe