Luxembourg, 08/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - The press services of the Court of justice has just said that following a ruling of 8 March, tolls on the Tagus bridge may no longer be subjected to a reduced rate of 5% and that the normal 17% rate had to be applied. Likewise, the Court states that it notes that by applying rates of 5% instead of 12% to ordinary wines, machines and equipment intended for research into alternative forms of energy as well as to agricultural utensils and equipment, Portugal has not respected the Community directive on legislation alignment between Member States on VAT.
The press service adds that, in the Friedrich Jauch ruling, the Court states that the payment of healthcare allowances to dependents provided for by Austrian legislation may not be dependent on the beneficiaries living in Austria. The Court considers that healthcare allowances has no special nature that could make its payment dependent on a condition of abode.