Category: EU

The Lithuanian parliament (Seimas) has approved a series of significant changes to the country’s VAT system, set to take effect from January 1, 2026. The reform introduces higher VAT rates for several sectors, including accommodation, culture, and heating, while also lowering the tax on books.

Starting from 1 January 2026, Germany will reinstate a 7% VAT rate on restaurants and catering services, excluding the sale of beverages. The measure was included in 2025 Tax Amendment Act as a permanent solution aiming to provide lasting support to the hospitality industries, which are facing continued economic pressure. This will also help to…

The Slovak government has announced an increase in the VAT on food products with high sugar or salt content. It will raise the VAT rate from 19% to 23%, starting from 1 January 2026. The decision has been made as a part of a broader Tax Amendment Act 2025 and its goal is both to…

Timely submission of VAT, VAT-EU (ECSL) or Intrastat returns, as well as correct VAT adjustments, are essential to ensure compliance in Poland. Failure to meet these obligations may lead to serious financial consequences for businesses. This article outlines the conditions under which penalties are imposed, their amounts, and how to avoid sanctions while managing tax…

Single-use plastics have become an integral part of our daily routines, yet their environmental impact is severe. From the contamination of marine ecosystems to the decline of endangered species, the consequences of this issue are becoming increasingly apparent. In response, the European Union has implemented decisive measures to mitigate the implact plastic has on our…

Starting August 1, 2025, Romania will implement a significant overhaul of its Value-Added Tax (VAT) system, impacting both domestic and foreign businesses operating in the country. These changes aim to simplify the VAT structure while also addressing fiscal consolidation goals.

The Estonian Parliament has accepted for consideration Bill No. 645 SE, which proposes significant amendments to the country's tax legislation. The bill outlines a series of tax increases aimed at reforming Estonia's fiscal framework, with most changes scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

On March 11, 2025, following extensive negotiations, consultations, and legislative work, the Council of the European Union officially adopted the "VAT in the Digital Age" (ViDA) package, introducing sweeping reforms to the EU VAT system. As a result, amendments to the EU VAT Directive and associated regulations will be required. Implementing regulations will take effect…

Since the Omnibus proposal was announced on February 26th, consulting firms and non-profits have debated its impact—not just on reporting companies (as we discussed here) but also on the efficacy of the EU’s Green Deal and its broader sustainability ambitions.

Although the European Union (EU) has established Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies through legislation like the Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste, the implementation of these policies can still vary significantly across member states and is continually evolving.  Since the Omnibus proposal was announced on February 26th,…

The European Commission's proposals to simplify ESG regulations as part of the so-called Omnibus Package published on February 26th 2025 have sparked a wide debate on their impact on the functioning of companies. The main objective of the changes is to reduce the administrative burden on enterprises and improve their competitiveness. However, there is a…

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 (PPWR) officially enters into force on Tuesday, 11th February. Currently, roughly 40% of plastics used in the EU are for packaging, and in 2021, each EU resident generated approximately 36.1 kg of plastic packaging waste—an increase of 8.1 kg (29%) compared to the previous decade.

As early as December 13, 2024, the new GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) will take effect, replacing the existing General Product Safety Directive. For e-commerce companies selling on European markets, this is a significant change that requires attention and appropriate action.

In the face of advancing climate change and tighter environmental regulations in the European Union, companies face the challenge of aligning their operations with sustainability requirements. Zero-carbon, defined as a state of equilibrium between greenhouse gas emissions and their neutralization through reduction and absorption, has ceased to be merely an ambitious goal - it has…

The Finnish government has decided to increase VAT rates. The change is expected to take effect on 1 September 2024. The decision was taken with the objective of stabilizing public finances and enhancing their robustness. Below you will find a summary of the current Value Added Tax (VAT) rates in Finland, along with the rates…

Purchasing products from companies operating within the territory of EU member states may generate tax liabilities if the transactions are carried out within the framework of Intra-Community Acquisition of goods (ICA). What elements are taken into account in determining the tax base, and when exactly does tax liability arise? Today’s article will answer these questions…

As of 2024, Poland has implemented a new plastic tax with a clear mission: to tackle the harmful effects of plastic on our environment. This tax is a step towards reducing the use of single-use plastic products and promoting eco-friendliness.

VAT, or value added tax, is an indirect tax that is levied on most products and services sold in the European Union. VAT rates applied in the EU vary from country to country but are between 15 and 27%.

The President of the Czech Republic signed the budget law that consolidates the reduced rates of 15% and 10% into a single reduced rate of 12%, effective January 1, 2024.

On the 10th of November, the Swedish Tax Authorities published a clarification to the invoicing guidelines. This will enable you to understand what a complete invoice is and what it should contain.

Why do so many Polish entrepreneurs provide their services to clients from other EU countries? Border-free policy, universal access to the Internet, and free communication with contractors from the farthest corners of Europe are the answer to this question. However, this accessibility comes with additional obligations, an example being VAT. The law regulates both the…

At the beginning of July 2021 new regulations concerning e-commerce trade to Germany and all other countries of the EU were introduced. The changes stem from the so-called e-commerce package which will revolutionize the current approach to international trade powered by e.g. online shops. For this reason, the Polish tax law must be adjusted to…

Are you engaged in international or eCommerce trade and shipping products to other EU countries? If so, then you are obligated to submit additional tax declarations on the products sold and services provided across EU borders. VAT declarations must be submitted in the form of an EC Sales List (also: ESL or ECSL). What exactly…

In 2021, changes regarding the methods of settling VAT in the EU will be introduced. The package of regulations will be aimed at entrepreneurs in the e-commerce sector, who focus on selling goods and providing services online. The Polish government is already working on the implementation of the package. So what will the new VAT…

Promisingly, the more popular international trade becomes, the more entrepreneurs decide to expand their businesses. However, before you decide to trade with countries outside the EU, consider these requirements which ensure legal and procedural compliance of such transactions – one of them being the EORI number.

The e-commerce market in Poland used to be dominated by a local brand – Allegro. However, a few months ago, the third biggest American investor in Poland – Amazon – announced the opening of a Polish version of their platform. It was launched on March 2nd, 2021 – this time without any default redirections to…