News – 19.12.24
Buzzacott advises Rose Street Partners on its investment in Kenwood Damp Proofing PLC
Discover how Buzzacott supported Rose Street Partners on its investment in Kenwood Damp Proofing PLC … Read more
Insight – 18.12.24
Start-up guide: Everything you need to know about Tronc schemes to set your new hospitality business up for success
One challenge for new hospitality businesses is the management of tips and service charges. … Read more
Upcoming event – 16.01.25
VAT on Private School fees training
This in-depth, interactive training seminar is designed to provide school administrators, bursars, finance officers, accountants, and trustees with tailored support and expert insights on the practical implementation of VAT. … Read more
Find us quickly
130 Wood Street, London, EC2V 6DL
enquiries@buzzacott.co.uk T +44 (0)20 7556 1200
Currently, UK businesses trading in other EU countries are not required to appoint a fiscal representative to assist with managing their VAT registrations. However, when the UK leaves the EU on 31 December 2020, this will no longer be the case and many UK businesses will have an obligation to appoint a fiscal representative to carry on trading in lots of EU countries.
A fiscal representative is a local entity that represents foreign traders for VAT purposes, usually in countries where the traders must VAT register but cannot do so by themselves. This is particularly relevant where goods exported by foreign traders are imported into foreign countries, as this usually gives the trader an immediate obligation to VAT register and account for VAT on their transactions.
Currently, UK businesses trading in other EU countries are not required to appoint a fiscal representative to assist with managing their VAT registrations. However, when the UK leaves the EU on 31 December 2020, this will no longer be the case and many UK businesses will have an obligation to appoint a fiscal representative to carry on trading in lots of EU countries.
A fiscal representative is a local entity that represents foreign traders for VAT purposes, usually in countries where the traders must VAT register but cannot do so by themselves. This is particularly relevant where goods exported by foreign traders are imported into foreign countries, as this usually gives the trader an immediate obligation to VAT register and account for VAT on their transactions.
A fiscal representative is currently a requirement for non-EU businesses trading in some EU countries. The table below outlines which countries require a fiscal representative. As UK businesses will be considered non-EU businesses from 1 January 2021, this table will likely apply to them from this date.
Country | Required |
Austria | Yes |
Belgium | Yes |
Bulgaria | Yes |
Croatia | Yes |
Cyprus | Yes |
Czech Republic | No |
Denmark | Yes |
Estonia | Optional |
Finland | Yes |
France | No |
Germany | Optional |
Greece | Yes |
Hungary | Yes |
Ireland | No |
Italy | Yes |
Latvia | Optional |
Lithuania | Yes |
Luxembourg | Optional |
Malta | Optional |
Netherlands | Optional |
Poland | Yes |
Portugal | Yes |
Romania | Yes |
Slovakia | No |
Slovenia | Yes |
Spain | Yes |
Sweden | Yes |
With Brexit fast approaching, we encourage UK businesses to review their VAT registrations in all other EU countries and take steps to engage a fiscal representative where required. If you’re not sure whether you require a fiscal representative, please get in touch and a member of our team will assist you with any changes required.
We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We’d also like to set optional analytics and marketing cookies. We won't set these cookies unless you choose to turn these cookies on. Using this tool will also set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.
For more information about the cookies we use, see our Cookies page.
Please be aware:
— If you delete all your cookies you will have to update your preferences with us again.
— If you use a different device or browser you will have to tell us your preferences again.
Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.
Analytics cookies help us to understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers.