End tampon tax in the EU!

What are luxury products for you? Is it wine? Maybe watches? Well, in some EU countries, like Denmark or Greece, menstrual products like tampons, pads or cups, are considered "luxurious" while products like shaving razors are considered "essential".

In Hungary, the value-added tax (VAT) on sanitary products is 27%, in Sweden it's 25% and in Greece it’s 23%. Meanwhile, Poland, Germany and Lithuania have used the flexibility offered by an EU directive and lowered their rates to 5% (the minimum VAT rate in the EU). It is possible, it is a political choice.

Minimising the tampon tax is fundamental in fighting against period poverty. In the EU, it is estimated that currently 1 in 10 girls cannot afford sanitary products. Those who can’t afford tampons or pads may have to skip class for up to 7 days every month, causing significant harm to their education and life opportunities.

Period is not a luxury, so don’t make us pay for it.

Therefore, we call on EU governments to:

• Set the taxation of sanitary products to their minimum VAT rate
• Ensure access to menstrual products for girls and women under 25 free of charge