[realityking]

Yes the rates, and the categories to which different rates apply, are subject to national law. But the law on VAT is still largely harmonised. (I recommend looking at the VAT directive - http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=URISERV:l...)

As for the the rest of your text, I know these new rules bring difficulties with them when dealing with customers. But my point, that the rules for VAT are mostly the same across the EU and any capable account will know them, still holds true.