France VAT Rates
The standard rate in France is 20%, in force since 1 January 2014. Before that, France changed it 8 times since 1968 — every change below carries the date it took effect and the Commission record it came from.
Standard rate today
20%
Since 1 January 2014 — 12 years
Previous rate
19.6%
Until 31 December 2013
First recorded rate
16.66%
From 1 January 1968
France VAT Rates in Force Today
- Standard rate
- 20%
- Reduced rates
- 0.9%, 1.05%, 5.5%, 8.5%, 10%, 13%
- Super-reduced rate
- 2.1%
- Parking rate
- None
- Local name
- Taxe sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA)
- Currency
- EUR
Checking a French VAT number rather than a rate? The number format, its regex and verified example numbers are on the France VAT number page.
Standard Rate Changes in France
| In force from | Until | Standard rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2014 | Current | 20% |
| 1 April 2000 | 31 December 2013 | 19.6% |
| 1 August 1995 | 31 March 2000 | 20.6% |
| 1 July 1982 | 31 July 1995 | 18.6% |
| 1 January 1977 | 30 June 1982 | 17.6% |
| 1 January 1973 | 31 December 1976 | 20% |
| 1 January 1970 | 31 December 1972 | 23% |
| 1 December 1968 | 31 December 1969 | 19% |
| 1 January 1968 | 30 November 1968 | 16.66% |
More on France
- France VAT number formatNumber structure, regex pattern and verified examples.
- France VAT validation APIEndpoint, response fields and code samples for this country.
- France Reverse charge rulesWhen to zero-rate a cross-border B2B invoice, and what to write on it.
- France VIES uptimeAvailability of this country in the Commission database, sampled continuously.
Where This Data Comes From
Two European Commission sources, joined at 1 January 2017, where they agree on every member state. Nothing here is estimated, and periods are never rewritten once published — a rate change is a new record, not an edit to an old one.
- European Commission, DG TAXUD — "VAT rates applied in the Member States of the European Union", section VIII "The evolution of VAT rates applicable in the Member States"
Publication discontinued in favour of TEDB. Transcribed once and frozen; not regenerated automatically.
The whole series for all 27 member states is one JSON file, MIT licensed, no API key: eu-vat-rates-history.json. Last rebuilt 13 August 2026.
Historical rates are published for reference. Which rate applies to a given supply also depends on the place-of-supply and time-of-supply rules in force at the time, which this dataset does not model. For French filings, confirm with the tax authority or an adviser. The Commission’s own record has gaps — where one is known, the missing period is filled from national legislation and labelled as such above. Spot another, and the issue tracker is open.