United Kingdom VAT rate 2026: 20% standard rate

By Remco from Avatcado

The UK charges a 20 percent standard VAT rate, a 5 percent reduced rate, and a 0 percent zero rate, unchanged since the standard rate last moved in January 2011. Northern Ireland (the XI prefix) uses these exact same UK rates for goods under the Windsor Framework, even though it stays inside the EU VAT rules for VIES listing purposes, so there is no separate Northern Ireland rate schedule to track.

United Kingdom VAT rates

RateTypeApplies to
20%StandardDefault rate for most goods and services not listed under a reduced or zero category, applying equally in Northern Ireland.
5%ReducedDomestic fuel and power, mobility aids for older people, smoking cessation products, and children's car seats and booster cushions.
0%ZeroMost food, books, newspapers and magazines, children's clothing and footwear, prescription medicines, and new residential construction.

Rates served live from the Avatcado API, last updated March 19, 2026.

Check a United Kingdom VAT number

Businesses charging United Kingdom VAT must hold an active United Kingdom VAT registration. Check any United Kingdom VAT number for free below.

Enter a VAT number to see the live API response

Get United Kingdom VAT rates via API

The same rates as an API call:

curl "https://api.avatcado.com/v1/rates/GB" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer avat_live_your_api_key"
{
  "data": {
    "country_code": "GB",
    "country_name": "United Kingdom",
    "currency": "GBP",
    "standard_rate": 20,
    "other_rates": [
      {
        "rate": 5,
        "type": "reduced"
      },
      {
        "rate": 0,
        "type": "zero"
      }
    ],
    "updated_at": "2026-08-13T00:00:00.000Z"
  },
  "meta": {
    "request_id": "req_..."
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Does Northern Ireland use different VAT rates than the rest of the UK?

No. Northern Ireland uses the same UK standard 20 percent, reduced 5 percent, and zero 0 percent rates set by HMRC, even though it remains inside the EU's VIES system for goods under the Windsor Framework; there is no separate NI rate schedule.

What is the UK VAT registration threshold?

GBP 90,000 of taxable turnover, in force since 1 April 2024 when it rose from GBP 85,000. Below that threshold, registration is voluntary.

VAT number formats

Northern Ireland (XI) uses UK VAT rates.

Related guides

Free tier includes 500 validations per month, and VAT rates lookups are always free and unlimited. Get an API key or read the API documentation.

Sources