Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of a targeted VAT cut on period products and the contribution of civil society to the decision during a discussion at the Maximos Mansion with Ismini Drosoforidi, founder of the “It’s just period” organisation.
“I want to congratulate you on the work you have done and the way you have drawn attention to a real issue: the high cost of period products for all women,” the prime minister said.
“That is why, having been made aware of the issue both by your work and by the studies you commissioned, I decided that from 1 January 2027 we would cut VAT on period products from 24% to 13%,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis continued.
The move of period products, as well as adult incontinence products, to the reduced VAT rate, where baby nappies are already taxed, was included in the bill passed by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance to implement tax cuts and income support measures announced by the prime minister at the Thessaloniki International Fair.
“What you highlighted really made me aware, too, that there may be even one girl who does not use period products and misses days of school simply because she cannot afford the expense. This is something we need to address,” the prime minister said, referring to the positive impact the tax cut would have on the everyday lives of women and girls.
“I asked the ministry to include incontinence pads in the VAT cut from 24% to 13% — it will take effect from 1 January 2027. Many of our older fellow citizens also face a medical issue. They need these products,” he added.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also stressed the importance of passing the reduced VAT rate on period products through to shop prices. “Because this applies to a specific category of products made by a small number of companies, it is also quite easy for the state to ensure that this reduction is passed on in full to the final consumer,” he noted.
“Hopefully, we can also reach an understanding with these companies and ask them to do their bit by cutting the pre-VAT price as well, so that the final saving for a woman or girl buying one of these products is greater than the VAT cut itself,” the prime minister added, noting that consumers can use the PosoKanei platform to compare prices for period products in real time.
During the discussion, “It’s just period” put forward proposals for further support for women and girls in relation to period products. “I fully recognise that we are not solving the problem; this is a first step. But it is a first step in raising the state’s awareness of an issue that, unfortunately, we had not discussed or examined in the detail it deserves,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.