Council greenlights temporary VAT relief on COVID-19 vaccines and test kits

The EU is taking steps to ensure affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines and testing kits.

The Council today adopted amendments to the directive on the common system of value added tax (VAT) to allow member states to temporarily exempt COVID-19 vaccines and testing kits, as well as closely related services, from VAT.

Member states may also apply a reduced VAT rate to testing kits and closely related services, if they choose to do so. This possibility is already available for vaccines.

The measures decided today only concern COVID-19 vaccines authorised by the Commission or by the member states and COVID-19 test kits that comply with the applicable EU legislation.

They will apply until 31 December 2022.

• Amendments to directive 2006/112/EC as regards VAT applicable to COVID-19 vaccines and in vitro diagnostic medical devices