The Swedish Parliament voted on 25 February 2026 to temporarily reduce the VAT rate on food products intended for human consumption. The measure took effect on 1 April 2026 and will remain in place until 31 December 2027.
The intermediate rate has been cut from 12% to 6%, applying to the majority of food and non-alcoholic beverages. All staple food products are covered by this reduction.
However, certain categories remain subject to the standard 25% rate, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco and pet food.
Businesses should therefore review and update their invoicing systems to ensure the new rate is correctly applied, and that all sales of eligible products made since 1 April are invoiced at 6%.
This temporary reduction is aimed at supporting consumers’ purchasing power and easing the tax burden on everyday food staples.
