Hundreds of galleries across Spain will strike next week to protest 21% tax on art

""The main problem we have now is the loss of competitiveness in relation to our closest European neighbors,""

""The problem is further exacerbated when the same artist is also represented by a gallery in another European country, since the tax disparity directly influences purchasing decisions,""

""free and constant access to artistic creation,""

""the largest museum in Spain.""

Around 200 contemporary art galleries across Spain will close for a six-day strike from 2 to 7 February to protest the 21% VAT on art sales. The 21% rate is now the highest VAT on art in western Europe and is blamed for hindering galleries’ success and sustainability in domestic and international markets. Several neighboring countries apply lower cultural VAT rates—Germany 7%, Portugal 6%, France 5.5%, Italy 5%—while Spain’s galleries remain excluded from reduced cultural taxation. The higher VAT reduces competitiveness, influences purchasing decisions when artists are represented abroad, and contrasts with 10% VAT on many other cultural activities and direct artist sales.

Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events