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Global upcoming VAT rate changes

Latest update: December 9, 2025

Join our Linkedin Group on ”VAT Rates – Legislative changes”, click HERE


PER REGION

Europe

  • Austria: VAT cut on menstrual products and contraception (Jan 2026)
  • Belgium: Belgium’s 2026 federal budget maintains the standard VAT rate at 21% while increasing several reduced VAT rates from 6% to 12% for hotel accommodations, take-away meals, sports and leisure events, and non-alcoholic beverages in restaurants, while raising the VAT on pesticides from 12% to 21%.
  • Finland: Reduced VAT rate cut to 13.5% (Jan 2026)
  • Germany: Reintroduction of 7% VAT rate for hospitality (Jan 2026) – Not yet official
  • Greece: A 30% VAT reduction applies to certain islands in the North Aegean Region, Evros Regional Unit, and Dodecanese Prefecture with populations under 20,000, lowering standard VAT from 24% to 17% and reduced VAT from 13% to 9%, while excluding tobacco products and transport, with existing reductions for Chios, Kos, Lesvos, and Samos continuing but Leros losing its benefit after December 31, 2025.
  • Lithuania: Reduced Rates Reshuffled (9% → 12% and 5%) (Jan 2026)
  • Netherlands: Withdrawal of 9% VAT range for some services; temporary cut in reduced VAT rate to 8% (Jan 2026)
  • Portugal 2026 Budget: Targeted VAT Cuts for Agriculture, Art, Game Meat, and Animal Welfare

  • Switzerland: Standard VAT rate increase to 8.8% (Jan 2026)
  • Russia: Standard VAT Increase (20% → 22%)
  • Slovakia: “Unhealthy Foods” VAT Jump (19% → 23%)
  • Bulgaria: End of temporary zero-rating for basic foodstuffs (Jan 2026)

Asia

  • India: GST restructuring to a simplified 2-rate system (5% and 18%) from Sept 2025
  • Kazakhstan: Proposed VAT increase from 12% to 16% (Jan 2026)
  • Bhutan: GST implementation at 7% (Jan 2026)

Americas

  • Brazil: VAT implementation begins (Jan 2026)
  • Chile: VAT on digital marketplaces and low-value imports (Nov 2025 & Jan 2026)
  • Dominican Republic: Third wave of mandatory VAT reforms (Jan 2026)
  • Peru

Africa

  • Liberia: VAT implementation at 18% (Jan 2026)

 

Russia

  • Russia: VAT rate increase from 20% to 22% (Jan 2026)

CHRONOLOGICAL

January 1, 2026

Austria

  • Feminine Hygiene & Contraceptives at 0%

Finland

  • Approved: Reduced VAT rate from 14% to 13.5% starting January 1, 2026, affecting a wide range of goods and services including food, transport, accommodation, medicines, books, and cultural/sports activities.
  • Public Broadcasting VAT Increase: The VAT rate on public broadcasting services will be increased

Germany

  • The coalition government plans to lower the VAT rate for restaurant meals from 19 to 7 percent starting January 1, 2026, without a broader VAT reform.

Kazakhstan

  • standard VAT rate from 12% to 16% starting in 2026.
  • A 5% reduced VAT rate will apply in 2026 (rising to 10% in 2027) for pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and healthcare services.
  • A 10% VAT rate from 2027 will cover print publications and other socially important goods

Lithuania

  • Reduced VAT rate will increase from 9 percent to 12 percent starting January 1, 2026
  • New rate applies to accommodation services, regular passenger transport services including baggage, and entry to artistic and cultural institutions and events
  • VAT rate for printed and electronic books will change to a reduced rate of 5 percent from the current 9 percent

Netherlands

  • Withdrawal of 9% VAT range for some services; temporary cut in reduced VAT rate to 8%

Peru

  • The current General Sales Tax (IGV) rate in Peru is 18%. This is composed of:
    • 16% IGV proper
    • 2% Municipal Promotion Tax (IPM)
  • The IGV rate would drop to 15% starting January 1, 2026, then gradually increase:
    • 2027: 16%
    • 2028: 17%
  • The preferential IGV rate would apply from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030, across all productive sectors.

Romania

  • Government considers VAT Rate Increase to 23%

Russia

  • Standard rate goes up to 22% from 20%

Switzerland

  • The standard VAT rate will rise from 8.1% to 8.8% by 2026 to fund an extra pension payment.
  • The special rate for accommodation will increase from 3.8% to 4.2%, and the reduced rate on everyday goods will go from 2.6% to 2.8%

April 1, 2026

Sweden

  • Proposal to Temporary VAT Cut on Food from 12% to 6% till December 31, 2027

 


Unknown – Proposals

Belgium

Ireland

  • Government Delays VAT Cut for Hospitality Until Mid-2026, Excludes Accommodation from 9% Rate

Russia

  • Proposal to  reduce VAT on essential food items from 10% to 5% in a bid to curb inflation and strengthen consumer purchasing power

See also


Join our Linkedin Group on ”VAT Rates – Legislative changes”, click HERE




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