AHRESP calls for return to 13% VAT for food and beverage services

The Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar of Portugal (AHRESP) is urging the government to reinstate the intermediate VAT rate of 13% for all food and beverage services. Carlos Moura, president of AHRESP, stated that the sector is being negatively discriminated against compared to competitors in countries such as Spain, Italy, and Cyprus, which maintain much lower VAT rates.

Moura clarified that the association is not requesting a new tax reduction, but rather the restoration of the 13% rate that was in place until 2012. He criticized legislative inconsistency regarding fiscal policy, noting that the rate has fluctuated from 13% to 23%, and later partially down to 16%.

Citing an EY-Parthenon study, Moura highlighted the sector's economic significance, noting that in 2025, the restaurant industry generated nearly 24 billion euros in gross value added, representing approximately 7.6% of Portugal's GDP.