Transactions to Germany

An artist sells and delivers a painting from Denmark to a private individual in Germany.

A dancer based in Italy signs a contract with a company based in Germany to perform in Germany.

An author who lives in China grants a theatre in Germany the rights of use to a play.

  • In which cases does the reverse-charge procedure apply?
  • Does it make a difference whether a work of art is delivered from a country inside or outside the EU to Germany?
  • Does a small business owner (Kleinunternehmer) who hires a dancer from abroad have to pay value added tax?
  • Under what conditions are performances by musicians from abroad exempt from value added tax?
  • Does it make a difference whether an artist based abroad sells a painting to a private individual or a gallery in Germany?
  • When should a value added tax identification number (VAT ID) be indicated on the invoice?

These and other questions will be answered in this section for the following services:
Deliveries of works
Artistic services
Rights of use

Information on deliveries or services from artists based in Germany to recipients based abroad can be found here.