In compliance with EU and German tax laws, a 19% Value Added Tax (VAT) is applied to all ProductLab Conference registration fees. This is required because the event falls under the category of B2B services related to admission to educational and professional events, as defined in Articles 53 and 54 of the EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC, and the German UStG (VAT law). Unlike many B2B transactions where VAT can be handled through the reverse charge mechanism, events like conferences are taxed in the country where they take place—in this case, Germany. This VAT applies to all attendees, whether you're based in the EU or outside, and regardless of your tax status.

Can my company recover the VAT?

Yes, in many cases VAT can be reclaimed. There are different processes for EU and non-EU companies:

For EU-based businesses:

You may reclaim German VAT through your local tax authority by submitting a refund request under the EU VAT Refund Procedure.

Minimum reclaim thresholds apply:

€400 for quarterly claims

€50 for annual claims

For Non-EU businesses:

You can apply for a VAT refund directly through the German Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). The process requires:

Registration for the BOP (BZSt Online-Portal)

Submission of digital applications within the official deadlines

Minimum reclaim thresholds:

€1,000 (for partial-year claims)

€500 (for annual claims)

Please note: The refund amounts are cumulative across all business-related expenses in Germany during the refund period, not just this conference.

What do I need to reclaim VAT?

To be eligible, your registration must include correct business details, including:

Company name

Address

VAT number (for EU) or tax ID (for non-EU)

You'll also need to retain original invoices for all expenses, such as registration, accommodation, and meals.