Tax Law · European Union
Get Your VAT Position Right Across Every Country You Sell Into
VAT is charged on nearly every sale of goods and services, and once your business sells across borders the rules on registration, rates, invoicing and returns multiply quickly. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted tax lawyer who handles VAT in the relevant countries, so you charge, reclaim and report correctly from day one.
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Who this is for
VAT touches almost every transaction you make — and every border you cross
VAT is a tax on consumption, collected at each stage of the supply chain and charged on most sales of goods and services. For a business, it is both an output tax you add to your sales and an input tax you may reclaim on your purchases — and managing that balance correctly is what keeps you compliant. The moment you sell to customers or businesses in another country, the picture changes: registration thresholds, reduced and zero rates, reverse-charge rules and distance-selling limits all vary by country, and the obligations for selling to consumers are different from those for selling to businesses. Invoicing, record-keeping and the timing of returns are tightly regulated and frequently audited. A specialist can confirm where you must register, what rates apply to your products and how to reclaim what you are entitled to.
Why VAT causes problems
The rules shift the moment you sell across a border.
And the returns are easy to get wrong.
Registration thresholds, reduced rates and consumer-versus-business rules all differ by country — and errors are routinely caught in audit.
Unclear where you must register
Selling into another country can trigger a local VAT registration once you pass a threshold, and the trigger point and rules differ for goods and services — so many businesses register too late.
Charging the wrong rate
Reduced and zero rates apply to specific goods and services and vary between countries, so applying your home rate to a cross-border sale is a common and costly error.
Mishandling cross-border sales
The treatment of sales to consumers differs from sales to businesses, and reverse-charge or distance-selling rules change who accounts for the VAT — getting it wrong creates exposure in two countries.
What you get
A VAT lawyer who keeps your charging and reclaiming correct
We only match you with tax lawyers who handle VAT registration, cross-border sales and returns in your relevant countries.
Registration & threshold advice
Your lawyer confirms where you must register for VAT, when the obligation arises and which scheme fits your business, so you are compliant from the right date.
Correct rate application
The right standard, reduced or zero rate is applied to each of your products and services across each country, avoiding under- or over-charging your customers.
Cross-border transaction handling
Sales to consumers and businesses, reverse-charge rules and distance selling are structured correctly, so the right party accounts for the tax in the right country.
Returns, reclaims & audits
Periodic returns are prepared accurately, input VAT you are entitled to is reclaimed, and any questions or audits from the tax authority are handled on your behalf.
Coverage
VAT lawyers across Europe
VAT rules are set nationally within a common EU framework, so the right lawyer is one who works with the specific countries where you sell or are registered. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
VAT — common questions
When does my business need to register for VAT?
Registration is typically required once your taxable turnover passes a country’s threshold, and the level varies by country. Selling into another country can also trigger a local registration once you pass that country’s threshold, so it is important to monitor turnover across each market where you sell.
What is the difference between output and input VAT?
Output VAT is the tax you add to your sales, while input VAT is the tax you pay on your business purchases, which you can generally reclaim. Correctly tracking both, and reclaiming only what you are entitled to, is the core of staying compliant and keeping your net position accurate.
Do reduced VAT rates apply to my products or services?
Many countries apply reduced or zero rates to specific categories such as certain foods, books or public transport, and the list differs from one country to the next. Confirming the correct rate for each product in each market is essential to avoid charging customers wrongly.
How does VAT work when I sell to another EU country?
The treatment depends on whether your customer is a business or a consumer. Sales to businesses often use a reverse-charge or zero-rating mechanism, while sales to consumers can trigger registration in the customer’s country, with rules that have changed significantly in recent years.
Can I reclaim VAT I paid in another country?
Often yes — VAT paid on business purchases in another country can frequently be reclaimed through a specific refund procedure, subject to conditions and deadlines. A lawyer can confirm what you are entitled to and handle the reclaim so you recover what is due.
What happens if I get my VAT returns wrong?
Errors in VAT returns, charging or invoicing can lead to corrections, interest and penalties, and are frequently identified during audit. A tax lawyer can review past returns, correct mistakes through the proper disclosure route and represent you in any inquiry from the tax authority.
Free case review
Charge, reclaim and report VAT with confidence everywhere you sell
Tell us where you sell and what you offer, and we’ll connect you with a tax lawyer who handles VAT in those countries every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.