In Paris, TVA stands for “Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée,” which is the French value-added tax applied to most goods and services and shows up on your receipt as a line item reflecting the tax you paid.
What is TVA on a French invoice?
TVA on a French invoice is the Value-Added Tax line item that lists the percentage of tax applied to each purchase, typically shown as “TVA 20%,” “TVA 10%,” or “TVA 5.5%,” depending on the good or service.
That line item tells you exactly how much VAT you paid on that specific purchase. Grab a €100 shirt, for example, and the invoice will show the shirt price (€100) plus the TVA line (€20 at 20%), totaling €120. Non-profits, certain exports, and some small businesses may show zero VAT if they’re exempt or using special schemes. Always double-check the breakdown on your receipt to confirm the rate applied.
How does TVA work in France?
France applies TVA at three main rates: 20% standard, 10% intermediate, 5.5% reduced, and 2.1% super-reduced, with each rate depending on the type of good or service purchased.
Most everyday items—electronics, clothing, restaurant meals—land at the 20% rate. Essential goods get a break: 10% covers certain transport services and some processed foods, while 5.5% covers unprocessed foods, books, and energy products. The 2.1% super-reduced rate? That’s reserved for a tiny list of items like prescription medicines and newspapers. Businesses collect TVA from customers and hand it over to the government, but they also offset any TVA they paid on their own purchases. Ultimately, the tax hits the final consumer. Visitors from outside the EU may be able to claim a refund on some of this tax—if they meet the conditions.
How much is VAT in Paris?
As of 2026, the standard VAT rate in Paris—and across France—is 20% on most goods and services, with reduced rates of 10%, 5.5%, and 2.1% for specific categories.
Walk into a Paris café and order that €20 coffee—you’ll usually see €3.33 added in VAT (the effective rate rounds to 16.67%), bringing your total to €23.33. Groceries typically sit at 5.5%, so a €5 baguette becomes €5.28 after tax. Tourists from outside the European Union can reclaim part of this tax on eligible purchases over €175.01, though meals, food, and tobacco don’t qualify for refunds. Ask the retailer for a tax-free form at checkout, then get it stamped by customs when you leave. The refund process happens at the airport or port—just follow the steps.
| VAT Rate | Typical Goods & Services | Example (€100 net) |
|---|---|---|
| 20% (Standard) | Electronics, clothing, restaurant meals | €20 VAT → €120 total |
| 10% (Reduced) | Domestic transport, some processed foods | €10 VAT → €110 total |
| 5.5% (Reduced) | Unprocessed foods, books, energy | €5.50 VAT → €105.50 total |
| 2.1% (Super-reduced) | Prescription medicines, newspapers | €2.10 VAT → €102.10 total |
Do you pay sales tax in Paris?
Yes—you do pay sales tax in Paris, and it’s called TVA (VAT), with a standard rate of 20% automatically included in the price of most goods and services.
See that price tag in a store or on a menu? It already includes VAT. Unlike some U.S. states where sales tax pops up at checkout, French prices are tax-inclusive. Tourists from outside the EU can still get a partial refund on eligible purchases over €175.01—just request a tax-free form, get it stamped by customs when you leave, and claim your refund at the airport or port. Services like hotel stays and meals, food, tobacco, and certain luxury items don’t qualify for VAT refunds, so always ask the retailer if they’re part of the tax-free shopping program before you buy. If you're planning your trip, consider how best to travel in Paris to maximize your savings.
David Okonkwo holds a PhD in Computer Science and has been reviewing tech products and research tools for over 8 years. He's the person his entire department calls when their software breaks, and he's surprisingly okay with that.