Based on material from the Finance Ministry, the Government on Tuesday evening proposed to introduce a zero value-added tax (VAT) rate on personal protective equipment providing higher respiratory protection (filtering face half masks in categories FFP2 and FFP3).
The Cabinet has sent the material to Parliament for discussion in a fast-tracked legislative procedure. "The amendment to the law aims to ensure more affordable effective protection of the population against COVID-19, as the application of a zero VAT rate on these goods presupposes a reduction in price for the final consumer," says the Finance Ministry in the material. The Government proposes that the measure last until 30 April this year.
The ministry expects that the measure will cost the public administration budget more than €15 million.
