VAT rate down from 19.6% to just 5.5% when eating out

Eurostar, the high-speed rail service providing carbon neutral journeys between UK and continental Europe, has welcomed the large cut in VAT on meals in restaurants and cafes in France.

The French government has reduced VAT on meals eaten out from 19.6% to just 5.5%, in a move that will be welcomed by British visitors to Paris. The new VAT level matches the 5.5% rate on food sold in supermarkets.

Simon Montague, Director of Communications, Eurostar said: “This is really good news for travellers wanting to take a short holiday in France. A little break can make a big difference, and this large reduction in VAT on meals in restaurants and cafes will make people’s money go further.”

The reduction in the VAT rate when eating out effectively compensates for last year’s strengthening of the euro against the pound and means that travellers from Britain can continue to enjoy the full range of wonderful dishes available in some of the finest restaurants and cafes for which Paris is famous around the world.