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Portugal has introduced a 6% VAT rate for the construction of homes intended for sale or rent at moderate prices, but the measure is restricted by EU regulations to owner‑occupied homes up to €684,000 and rentals up to €2,300 per month. The new law, published on 6 March 2026, gives the government 180 days to approve the relief, and accompanying decrees also lower income tax for rentals, exempt capital gains on reinvested profits, and impose a 7.5% transfer tax on non‑resident buyers.
Cyprus has reduced the VAT on domestic electricity to 5% from 1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027 and zero‑rated meat, poultry and fish from 1 April to 30 September 2026. Motor fuel excise duty will fall by 8.33 cents per litre between April and June 2026, and the planned Green Tax has been cancelled. The measures are part of a €200 m support package that also includes subsidies for hotels, airlines and farmers.
Global e-Invoicing Requirements Tracker
Chile’s new administration announced a proposal to temporarily suspend VAT on residential property sales for one year, aiming to revive a stagnant housing market. The measure could lower final housing prices by 3‑8%, but input VAT on construction costs would become non‑creditable and must be capitalised. Its success hinges on congressional approval and swift implementation.
Trinity Christian School in Reading closed after 13 years, citing the removal of VAT exemption on private school fees and rising business rates as the main reasons. The UK government introduced VAT on private school fees from 1 January 2025 at the standard 20% rate, expected to raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30. The school’s business rates increased to £35,000 from about £5,000, and its application for discretionary relief was denied.
This article outlines the tax and compliance requirements for online stores operating in Bulgaria, including mandatory registration with the National Revenue Agency, submission of monthly audit files, and conditions triggering VAT registration. It also explains cross‑border obligations such as OSS, VIES, and Intrastat for EU and non‑EU transactions.