The beginning of July brings several novelties with the entry into force of measures already announced. This is the case of electricity, which will be more expensive for some households, changes in VAT on e-commerce and the ban on single-use plastics.
VAT, electricity, tolls in Portugal, what will change from today
Electricity
Electricity rates increase from today for national customers who remain on a regulated market, which is the result of the increase in energy prices on the wholesale markets.
According to the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ESRA), this update of the tariff on the regulated market is 3%, compared to the current prices. This translates into an increase of about 1.05 euros in the average bill of a couple without children (with a contractual power of 3.45 kVA) and 2.86 euros for the consumption of a couple with two children (power of 6.9 kVA).
VAT
The new VAT rules on e-commerce and e-platforms come into force today and one of the most important changes concerns theVAT exemption for purchases outside the EU with a value of less than 22 euros.
In a news release this week, the European Commission stressed that the new VAT rules for online purchases are "part of efforts to ensure a more level playing field for all businesses, simplify cross-border e-commerce and increase transparency for EU shoppers regarding prices and consumer choice."
Tolls
The 50 % toll reduction, applicable in each transaction, goes into effect today for certain sections of ex-SCUT highways, namely A17, A25, A29, A4, A41, A42, A28, A22, A23 and A24.
The highway sections covered by this measure are in the Silver Coast concession: A17 - Mira (CL concession)/Aveiro Nascente, A25 - Pyramids (Aveiro Oeste)/Albergaria (BLA concession), A29 - Angeja/Maceda, A29 - Maceda/(A29/A44); in the Grand Port concession: A4 - Sendim/Águas Santas, A41 - Freixieiro/Hermitage (IC25), A42 - (IC24/IC25)/Felgueiras; and in the Northern Coastal Concession: A28 - IC 24/Viana do Castelo.
The reduction of 50 % on the value of the toll charge also covers the sections covered by Decree-Law No. 111/2011, namely A22, A23 of the Estradas de Portugal concession; A23 of the Beira Interior concession; A24 and A25.
ISV
Freight vehicles, which previously enjoyed a full exemption from the vehicle tax, will pay 10 % of the tax effective immediately. This change follows an amendment to the ISV Code, published in April, which repeals the section granting non-taxability (total exemption) from ISV to light vehicles with a gross weight of 3,500 kg .
