European Union minimum VAT rate

The European Union (EU) will maintain the minimum standard VAT rate allowable by member states at 15%. Council Directive 2010/88/EU amends Directive 2006/112/EC. The minimum rate will remain for the foreseeable future with the following provision:

'... It is therefore appropriate to maintain the current minimum standard rate of 15% for a further period long enough to ensure legal certainty, while allowing further review…This does not preclude a further revision of VAT legislation before 31 December 2015 to address the outcome of the new VAT strategy...'