The restaurant sector in Portugal is about to undergo a significant change when it comes to the VAT rate applied to drinks such as juices, nectars, carbonated waters or those with added carbon dioxide and other substances. 

The Portuguese government recently announced a measure to harmonize the VAT rate in this sector, reducing it from 23% to 13%. 

This news comes as part of a revenue agreement signed by the government, with the aim of simplifying VAT rates in the restaurant sector and making the system fairer for consumers and entrepreneurs in the sector.

With this measure, juices, nectars and carbonated waters or waters with added carbon dioxide or other substances will now benefit from an intermediate VAT rate of 13% when sold in restaurants. 

In the case of supermarkets, for example, juices, nectars and naturally carbonated waters are taxed at a reduced rate of 6%, while added carbonated waters are subject to a higher rate of 23%.

 The harmonization of VAT rates in the restaurant sector is a measure that promises to bring benefits to both restaurants and consumers. For establishments, the reduction in the VAT rate from 23% to 13% on drinks such as juices and nectars could represent a significant reduction in costs and possibly encourage the offer of these products on menus.

The reduction in the VAT rate from 23% to 13% for juices, nectars and carbonated waters in restaurants is a welcome change to the taxation system and will benefit both entrepreneurs in the sector and consumers. 

This measure seeks to promote fairness and make restaurants in Portugal more competitive and accessible, creating an environment conducive to the growth and development of this crucial sector of the economy. It now remains to be seen how these changes will affect the country’s restaurant scene and consumer habits.

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