Portugal’s association of hoteliers and restaurateurs (AHRESP) has again warned the government, through the committee on budget, finance and public sector (COFAP), that maintaining VAT at 23% in the sector is “a big mistake”.
“A lower VAT would lead to more jobs,” said AHRESP, in an attempt to dissuade approval of the measure that is included in the 2014 draft state budget.
VAT in the food and beverages sector in France stands at 7%, in Ireland at 9% and in Italy and Spain at 10%. “We cannot compete with this reality,” AHRESP told COFAP in a meeting last week.
