Investing in silver in Europe can be complicated due to high VAT rates, but some countries offer more favorable conditions.
• Silver is often treated as an industrial metal rather than an investment in many EU countries, leading to high VAT: Germany 19%, UK 20%, Russia 18%.
• Gold is considered an investment in the EU and is typically VAT-free.
• Switzerland applies an 8% VAT on silver, Norway 0%, but importing silver back into the EU can trigger VAT.
• Estonia allows VAT-free purchase and movement of silver within the EU, making it practical for storage and transport.
• Alternative options include Singapore, Hong Kong, or the Cayman Islands for offshore storage.
Takeaway: For Europeans looking to buy and store silver without high taxes, Estonia provides a VAT-free option within the EU, while other jurisdictions may be used for offshore solutions.
