RO EU member

Romania VAT

19% standard rate

How Romania's 19% rate compares

According to the European Commission Taxation and Customs Union's VAT rates database and HMRC's UK VAT guidance (post-Brexit), PlainVAT tracks the standard VAT (value-added tax) rate across all 27 EU member states plus the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The European Union's VAT Directive (Council Directive 2006/112/EC) establishes a minimum standard rate of 15% and allows reduced rates between 5% and 15% on a defined list of goods and services. National standard rates currently range from a 17% floor (Luxembourg, the EU member state with the lowest standard VAT) to a 27% ceiling (Hungary, the highest in the EU 27). Reduced rates are common on food, books, public transport, and pharmaceutical products; some member states maintain super-reduced rates (below 5%) on a transitional basis under Annex III of the directive.

Romania's 19% standard rate sits 2 percentage points below the EU median of 21%. For context: Hungary tops the EU 27 ranking at 27%, Luxembourg sits at the bottom at 17%. Outside the EU, Norway (25%) and Switzerland (8.1%) round out the European range. VAT numbers in this country can be validated via the VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) cross-border validation service.

Derived from PlainVAT per-country rate table sourced from the European Commission's official VAT rates database. See methodology for refresh cadence and source-linking policy.

All VAT rates

Standard rate

19%

Most goods and services

In effect since 2017-01-01

Reduced rate

9%

Food, pharmaceuticals, accommodation, books

In effect since 2015-06-01

Reduced rate

5%

School books, certain housing, museums

In effect since 2016-01-01

VAT number format

Prefix
RO
Format
RO + 2 to 10 digits
Example
RO1234567890
Validation service
VIES (European Commission)

Validate a Romania VAT number

Tax authority

Agentia Nationala de Administrare Fiscala

Official guidance: https://www.anaf.ro/

Source: European Commission Taxation and Customs Union EU VAT Rate Registry · 2026

Countries with similar standard rates

Related references

Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm with your accountant or the relevant tax authority for your transaction.

Data compiled and verified by the Kiznis Studio team.