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Economy

Personal average tax rates in Europe: Increases and cuts in 2024

The tax burden on workers, composed of income tax and social security contributions, varies widely across Europe. In 2024, this burden changed significantly in some countries, with notable rises and falls.

Economy

Where do workers pay the highest and lowest taxes across Europe?

Personal income tax rates vary significantly across Europe, with Nordic countries paying the highest and Eastern European countries the lowest. Euronews takes a closer look at the key factors that influence how much individuals pay in tax.

Economy

What portion of gross salaries do European workers pay in taxes?

Euronews Business examines the proportion of income taxes to average annual gross earnings across Europe. Tax rates vary significantly by country, with Nordic nations and Belgium generally facing the highest burdens.

Europe News

European Commission urges tax reform in energy cost-cutting plan

A leaked draft of a keenly awaited Action Plan for Affordable Energy suggests cutting green levies and VAT could ease costs for European consumers – but tax reforms have been deadlocked since 2021.

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Europe News

Don’t tax Erasmus student grants, EU’s top court says

Croatian tax laws breached the EU principle of free movement by effectively removing any financial benefit from the popular student-exchange programme, judges said.

Economy

G20 billionaire wealth tax plans face resistance

G20 leaders are meeting in Brazil on Monday and Tuesday to agree on a global tax on the world’s 3,300 richest individuals, which could raise up to $250 billion.

Europe News

EU climate chief gets green light for new Commission

Dutch commissioner recommits to a 90% emissions cut by 2040, pledges not to revise deadlines for the phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars, and brushes off a far-right climate denier during a grilling by MEPs.

Economy

UK Treasury chief Rachel Reeves unveils £40bn tax hikes in budget

UK Treasury chief Rachel Reeves unveils budget with £40bn in tax hikes and says she'll "invest, invest, invest".

Europe News

Climate Commissioner eyes chance to drive emissions cuts through tax

Wopke Hoekstra wants to use tax changes to nudge Europeans towards cleaner and greener choices in areas such as transport and heating – but he’ll face the same veto that has blocked reform for years.

Business

Who has the most competitive tax system in Europe?

New research awards bouquets to Estonia, the UK and Germany and brickbats to Italy and France – as governments seek to avoid a race to the bottom on standards.

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Europe's economy in a struggle for survival

This edition of our weekly talk show focuses on the growing challenges facing the European economy: declining competitiveness, increasing potential for conflict in trade with China and diminishing scope for the public sector.

Europe News

EU Parliament's left signals warning over Dutch Commission nominee

The choice of former Dutch finance minister Wopke Hoekstra to run EU tax policy has drawn attention from MEPs given previous links to tax havens, and the Netherlands’ status as a hub for corporate tax avoidance.

Economy

Power to the people - should Europeans choose where their taxes go?

As France tries to find its way through political gridlock, the outgoing PM Gabriel Attal is looking for policies with cross-party support. One idea is to give more power to taxpayers.

Business

Facing budget crunches, Chinese tax collectors descend on companies

Chinese authorities are chasing unpaid taxes from companies and individuals dating back decades, as the government moves to plug massive budget shortfalls and address a mounting debt crisis.

Business

Will finance ministers finally agree a global billionaire tax?

Officials from the twenty biggest global economies are today discussing plans for a levy on the world’s 3,000 richest people.

Europe News

Estonia blocks plan to put VAT on Airbnb, Uber-style online platforms

The Baltic nation wielded a veto over laws intended to modernise tax for the digital economy.

Europe News

'Overwhelmed' Romanian workers demand lower taxes

Only 69% of Romanians between 20 and 64 are employed, meaning that almost a third of the population struggles with finding work.

Europe News

Estonia threatens to block Airbnb tax-hike plan

The Baltic nation could veto long-discussed plans to charge VAT on online accommodation rentals and taxi rides.

Economy

Inheritance tax across Europe: How do the rules and rates vary?

Some 19 EU countries levy inheritance, gift or estate taxes. Due to the highly preferential tax treatment applying to transfers to close relatives, the majority of estates go untaxed. The percentage of total tax revenue derived from wealth transfer taxes is very low.

Economy

Where does the middle class pay the highest and lowest tax in Europe?

The tax burden on the middle class differs across the EU, as well as across the different income segments.