# Facebook ads in the European Union: VAT, the politics ban and key dates > Facebook ads in the EU: no political or issue ads since October 2025, VAT that depends on who bills you, payments by country, Ad Library data and dates. - **Author**: Marxx - **Published**: 2026-10-29 - **Category**: Europe - **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-markets/meta-ads-in-european-union --- Facebook ads in the European Union run in Meta Ads Manager, but ads about social issues, elections or politics are no longer delivered there, as of 6 October 2025. The VAT on your Meta bill depends on which Meta company invoices you, so read the "Sold by" name on your receipt. ## Facts that differ in the EU (checked 2026-10-20) | Fact | European Union | |---|---| | Ad transparency | The [Meta Ad Library](/glossary/meta-ad-library) shows every active ad. Ads delivered in the EU get extra transparency data and are kept for one year after their last impression ([Meta](https://transparency.meta.com/researchtools/ad-library-tools/)). Political and issue ads are barred ([Meta newsroom](https://about.fb.com/news/2025/07/ending-political-electoral-and-social-issue-advertising-in-the-eu/)). | | Tax on Meta's bill | If Meta Platforms Ireland bills a business outside Ireland, Meta adds no VAT and you work it out and pay it yourself. If a local Meta office bills you, or you buy for private use, Meta adds VAT ([Meta: taxes by country](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/133076073434794)). | | Main languages | The EU has 24 official languages ([EU](https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/languages_en)). | | Popular platforms | 67.3% of people aged 16 to 74 in the EU used social networks in 2025 ([Eurostat](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260409-1)). | | Payments Meta accepts | Cards and PayPal in the four countries checked. Germany adds direct debit and Sofort, France and Italy add direct debit, the Netherlands adds direct debit and iDEAL ([Meta](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/212763688755026)). | | Time zone | Three winter times: UTC+0 in Portugal, UTC+1 in France and Germany, UTC+2 in Finland and Greece. All move forward one hour in summer ([IANA tz database 2026e](https://www.iana.org/time-zones)). | ## Key selling dates (checked 2026-10-20) - **Black Friday:** Friday 27 November 2026, Cyber Monday 30 November ([plan](/campaigns/black-friday-ad-ideas)). - **Christmas Day:** Friday 25 December 2026 ([ideas](/campaigns/christmas-ad-ideas)). Other peak dates are set country by country. Pick one country first, then build its calendar. ## What to run and when Say you plan EUR 15,000 for the Black Friday week. You spend EUR 3,000 in the two weeks before to test hooks in each language, EUR 9,000 on 27 to 30 November behind the winners, and EUR 3,000 for last-order dates. Write hooks in each language rather than translating them word for word. Every discount ad must follow the price rule in [EU law](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32019L2161): the prior price is the lowest price you charged in the 30 days before the reduction, and member states may vary some cases. Selling outside Europe too? See [Australia](/markets/meta-ads-in-australia), where GST also applies unless you add your business number. To see what rival brands run before you spend, search the Ad Library by hand. We make Marxx, which [tracks competitor ads](/features/competitor-tracking) on Meta and Google in one place. ## Common mistakes - Assuming one VAT rule for the whole EU. Check the "Sold by" name on each receipt. - Submitting ads about elections, politics or social issues. They are not allowed. - Showing a "50% off" tag measured against a price above your lowest price in the last 30 days. - Choosing a payment method that does not exist in the account's country. ## FAQ ### Can I run political ads on Facebook in the EU? No. Meta says these ads can no longer be delivered in the EU as of 6 October 2025. Election authorities may place voting information. ### Does Meta charge VAT on ads in the EU? It depends on the Meta company that invoices you and whether you buy for business. Check the "Sold by" name on your receipt. ### How long do EU ads stay in the Ad Library? Ads delivered in the EU stay for one year after their last impression. --- - [More Europe articles](https://marxx.ai/library-markets/category/europe) - [All articles](https://marxx.ai/library-markets)