Dayenu

I mean, I go shopping, buy bread and cheese - is this taxable?

In a restaurant, if I pay cash, in addition to the menu price - are there taxes?

When I buy merchandize, it's taxable, let's say I buy a sweater - is it like 25% in Denmark and Norway?

In my searches I only found some info about VAT refund, but my questions are not about refunds, only about charges.

doug_stallings

Everything in Scandinavia is taxed ... quite heavily. But taxes are always built into the price (that's the very definition of VAT). But you can't get VAT back for goods consumed in-country, such as restaurant meals and food in supermarkets. You can get it back for goods taken out of the country for use, such as sweaters.

Dayenu

Oh, so if I see the price of... let's say, canned fish in a store 59 kr, this is how much I pay? no additional taxes?

I am not used to it coming from 9.5% ADDITIONAL to the store price

Thanks, Doug!

hetismij

In Norway the standard rate is 25% (most things, including eating at a restaurant) with two reduced rates, 14% (for things like food and take-aways) and 8% (hotels, public transport).

In Denmark it's a straight 25%.

It is included in the price of everything, unlike US sales tax.

Not sure if you can reclaim VAT in Norway as it is not EU. Probably you can as it is part of the EEA.

nytraveler

In Europe the VAT (sales tax) is already built into the prices marked.

You are entitled to get back VAT on items that you take home unused (unworn clothes or souvenirs). You cannot recover it from meals, hotel, car rentals etc. But the store you buy them in must be part of the plan and provide you with the necessary paperwork.

Many don't. Some do -but they often have a minimum purchase - generally more than $100 at a minimum.

Dayenu

Thank you both!

Paul1950

Yes, in most European countries they hide the tax in the "price."

altamiro

>Yes, in most European countries they hide the tax in the "price."

First, not in "most" but in every country, any other way of charging is illegal (the EU law clearly requires that "what you see is what you pay"). Second the tax is not hidden - your receipt clearly states how much tax you paid.

Dayenu

Ok, getting close, starting to freak out, have these stupid questions in my head

In Copenhagen hotels do they take passports away like the do, I've heard, in Italy? What to expect at the check-in, like in the US just look at the passport and scan the credit card?

altamiro

They only take away the passport in Italy if you don't protest, because they are too lazy (or tight on time) to make a copy right away. Same pretty much everywhere - they need an ID from you (passport), but only to make sure that it's you.

The credit card is scanned on check-out. I almost freaked out the first time I was in USA and they wanted the credit card at check-in

hetismij

Just have your passport handy in case they want it. It isn't always needed.

Have a wonderful trip.

Dayenu

Oh, thank you both!