Cyprus vs France — VAT Rules Compared
Key VAT rules, thresholds, invoicing obligations and penalties in Cyprus and France, side by side with dated official sources.
| Rule | Cyprus | France |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 19% | 20% |
| Reduced rates | 5%, 9% | 5.5%, 10% |
| Registration threshold | €15,600 annual turnover | €85,800 (goods) / €34,400 (services) |
| Currency | EUR | EUR |
| Filing frequency | Quarterly | Monthly or quarterly |
| Invoice rules | Standard EU invoice requirements. Tax invoices must be issued within 30 days of supply. Self-billing allowed. | Invoices must include a sequential number, date, seller/buyer details, VAT number, description, and amounts. E-invoicing mandatory for B2B from 2026. |
| Penalties | 10% surcharge on late payments. €50 per day penalty for late filing, capped at €1,000. | 10% surcharge for late filing, 40% for deliberate non-compliance, 80% for fraud. |
| Specific regimes | Special scheme for travel agents · Reduced rate for renovation of private dwellings · IP box regime interacts with VAT planning | Auto-entrepreneur regime with simplified VAT · Special rules for DOM-TOM territories · E-invoicing mandate rolling out 2026-2027 |
| In force since | 13 Jan 2014 | 01 Jan 2014 |
| Last verified | 01 Sept 2026 | 01 Sept 2026 |
Main differences
France applies the higher standard rate (20% vs 19%), a 1.0 point gap that directly affects consumer pricing. Registration starts at €15,600 annual turnover in Cyprus against €85,800 (goods) / €34,400 (services) in France, and returns are filed quarterly versus monthly or quarterly.
Not sure which rules apply to you?
Answer 5 questions and get your compliance score, the issues found and your penalty exposure — free, in 60 seconds.
Check my Tax Health ScoreCompare by sector
Disclaimer : This tool is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax advisor for decisions regarding your tax situation.Source : EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC
Check your compliance
Get a personalized Tax Health Score with actionable recommendations.
Get Tax Health Score