A zero VAT rate will be imposed from October 1, 2026 on meats, while from October 12, the measure will extend to bread, milk, baby food, coffee, and sugar, according to a press release issued by the Tax Department.
? Decree published in the Official Gazette of the Republic amends the Value Added Tax Law, following a relevant decision by the Cabinet. Specifically, from October 1, 2026, until May 31, 2027, the zero VAT will apply to fresh or preserved meats in simple refrigeration or frozen beef (codes of class CN 0201 and CN 0202), pork (codes of class CN 0203), sheep or goat meat, edible by-products of slaughtered animals, beef, pork, sheep, goat (codes of class CN ex 0206), edible meats and by-products of poultry of class 0105 (codes of class CN 0207), edible meats and by-products of rabbits and hares (codes of class CN ex 0208).
The Tax Department noted that meat products, such as marinated meats, smoked, wine-soaked, sheftalies, burgers, chicken nuggets, sausages, lountza, roasts, gyros, etc., will continue to be subject to the reduced VAT rate of 5%.
At the same time, it is noted that fish products, such as canned fish, smoked fish, marinated, battered, etc., will continue to be subject to the reduced VAT rate of 5%.
Additionally, the Tax Department stated that as of October 12, 2026, until May 31, 2027, the zero VAT will apply to all types of fresh or frozen bread with or without sourdough. Baked goods, dried bread, and any bread with added ingredients such as raisins, nuts, or herbs are not included.
Zero VAT also applies to fresh milk (e.g., cow, goat, sheep), sweetened, condensed, long-life, flavored milk (e.g., chocolate, banana), plant-based milk (e.g., almond, soy, rice), and coffee, including unroasted, roasted beans, ground, powdered, instant coffee, flavored coffee, with caffeine or decaffeinated in any packaging. Ready-to-drink beverages or drinks made from coffee consumed cold or hot are not included.
Regarding sugar, zero VAT is applied to white, brown, black crystal sugar, fine (powdered), coarse, in cubes, in packets, as well as to baby food: in powder, dry and/or liquid form, intended for consumption by children.
Snacks (e.g., chips, nuts, candies, chocolates, ice creams, yogurt cups) are not included in the reduced VAT.