The return of the VAT on served coffee to 24% in the catering sector, starting from today, has caused an uproar. As professionals say, they cannot absorb the difference, so increases must be taken for granted.

“No more increases, coffee is all we have left,” they say.

More specifically, consumers should think twice if they are going to enjoy their coffee while sitting in a cafe, as from July 1st, the VAT returns from 13 to 24%.

“The client in my chair will become an endangered species,” states a citizen

“In the end we will pay for coffee equal to gold, it’s really incredible and we Greeks have a weakness for coffee”, reports a customer.

Entrepreneurs and restaurant workers express their displeasure, arguing that the increase will necessarily be passed on to the consumer.

“It is not sustainable and with a domino process this will ultimately be borne by the customer. It is very difficult for the business to manage it in such a way that it does not pass to the consumer”, emphasizes a cafeteria manager.

“From 01/07 the focus will have the most expensive coffee in Europe. There is no possibility that restaurant owners will absorb this increase in VAT”, emphasizes the president of SKEANA (Restaurant and Leisure Store Managers’ Association), Tasos Yatras.

And those who try not to burden the customer, will proceed, as they say, in cuts.

“Businesses cannot afford any more such increases, there is also the excise tax on coffee, per kilo. I will not pass the increase on to the customer, but I will look to reduce daily wages,” says a business owner.

Consumers who choose to take the coffee in hand will pay more cheaply since the reduced VAT rate is fixed at 13%.

“We are praying that everything will go well and the decision will be lifted eventually,” said a business owner.

In its announcement, the Panhellenic Federation of Restaurants & Related Professions emphasizes that with the two-speed VAT, unfair competition is strengthened.