Wants lower restaurant VAT

With many European countries lowering VAT on restaurant meals, the Norwegian travel trade organisation NHO Reiseliv calls for a similar deal in Norway.

The VAT on food and drink in restaurants in Norway currently stands at a whopping 25 percent. NHO Reiseliv wants this lowered to 14 percent.

Cheaper in Europe

Many countries in Europe have lowered the VAT on restaurant meals to help struggling restaurants through the economic downturn.

First out was France, who last June slashed the tax from 19,6 percent to only 5,5 percent. Finland will also cut VAT on restaurant food from 22 to 13 percent in July, writes Aftenposten.no.

“Norway Expensive Enough”

NHO Reiseliv, the organisation representing the Norwegian travel industry, calls for the Norwegian government to follow in France and Finland’s footsteps.

“Norway is already an expensive country, and it would be very unfortunate if the Norwegian travel industry became even less competitive as a result of large differences in taxation levels,” the organisation writes in a letter to the government.