The measure was announced last week and aims to combat inflation, with the Government lowering VAT to zero on a set of food items considered essential for six months. The official list has not yet been released - it is expected to happen soon -, but some of the products that will be on the list have already been shared by the media.

Paulo Portas revealed on CNN Portugal, that the list could cover 47 products. In turn, commentator Luís Marques Mendes revealed on SIC Notícias, a set of 20 products that should appear on the list.

Taking into account the various information already disclosed, these are the foods that will appear on the zero VAT shopping list:

  • Bread
  • Potato
  • Pasta
  • Rice
  • Carrot
  • Onion
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Courgette
  • Leek
  • Semi-skimmed milk
  • Cheese
  • Yogurts
  • Lettuce
  • Eggs
  • Oil
  • Butter
  • Fruit (apple, banana, pear, orange, tangerine)
  • Beans
  • Tomatos
  • Oil
  • Chicken
  • Fish (hake, tuna and salmon)
  • Pork
  • Beef
  • Turkey meat

This measure of zero VAT on essential food shopping baskets follows an agreement that the Government is trying to conclude with the food production and food distribution sectors and which aims to create stability and confidence, "ending the shock of not knowing if one day you reach for a product with a higher price than you found the day before", explained the Minister of Finance, Fernando Medina, last week.

The application of the zero VAT rate on a basket of essential products will be in force between April and October and will represent a total cost that the Government estimates at €410 million.