A zero rate of VAT has applied to meat in Cyprus since October 1, 2026, and from October 12, 2026 the measure extends to bread, milk, baby food, coffee and sugar, according to an announcement by the Tax Department.
The arrangement is set out in an order published in the Official Gazette of the Republic, which amends the Value Added Tax Law following a decision by the Council of Ministers. The measure will run until May 31, 2027.
Which meats are covered
From October 1, 2026 until May 31, 2027, the zero rate applies to the following meats, whether fresh, chilled or frozen:
- Bovine meat, under Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes 0201 and 0202.
- Pig meat, under CN code 0203.
- Sheep or goat meat, under CN code 0204.
- Edible offal from bovine, pig, sheep and goat carcasses, under CN code ex 0206.
- Poultry meat and edible poultry offal of the class 0105, under CN code 0207.
- Rabbit and hare meat and edible offal, under CN code ex 0208.
Preparations that stay at 5%
The Tax Department clarified that meat preparations will continue to be charged the reduced VAT rate of 5%. These include marinated and smoked meats, meats prepared in wine, sheftalia, burgers, chicken nuggets, sausages, loundza, roasts, gyros, polipi, breaded meats and similar products.
Fish preparations also stay at the reduced 5% rate, such as tinned fish, smoked and marinated fish, and breaded fish.
Foods added from October 12
From October 12, 2026 until May 31, 2027, zero VAT applies to the following categories.
Bread: All types of fresh or frozen bread, with or without sourdough, are included, such as white, brown, wholemeal, multigrain, village bread, rye, corn bread, baguette, ciabatta, sliced bread, small loaves and pitta. Pastries, dried bread and any bread with added ingredients such as raisins, nuts or flavourings are not covered.
Milk: Fresh milk is included, such as cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milk, along with sweetened condensed milk, condensed milk, long-life milk and flavoured milk such as chocolate or banana. Plant-based milk, such as almond, soya and rice milk, is also included.
Coffee: The zero rate covers unroasted coffee, roasted coffee beans, ground coffee, coffee powder, instant coffee and flavoured coffee, with or without caffeine, in any packaging. Ready-made drinks or beverages made from coffee, whether served cold or hot, are not covered.
Sugar: Crystalline sugar, whether white, brown or black, is included, along with caster sugar, icing sugar, coarse sugar, and sugar in cubes or sachets.
Baby food: Foods in powder, dry or liquid form that are intended for consumption by children are included. Snacks such as crisps, nuts, sweets, chocolates, ice cream and small yoghurts are not covered.
