EU VAT refunds work through a system called Tax Free Shopping, where non-EU residents can recover the value-added tax paid on goods purchased in EU countries
When you buy goods in an EU country as a non-EU resident, you pay VAT (value-added tax) at the point of sale — typically 17 to 27 percent depending on the country and item type. You can recover most or all of that VAT by following the Tax Free Shopping process before you leave the EU. The refund is not automatic; you must request it at the airport or border, and the merchant must be part of a participating tax refund scheme.
The amount you recover depends on the country, the merchant, and the refund company handling your claim. Some countries refund the full VAT; others deduct a processing fee that can be 15 to 25 percent of the tax amount. You will receive the refund as cash, a credit to your card, or a bank transfer, depending on which option you choose at the airport.
Key Takeaways
- You must be a non-EU resident and purchase goods in an EU country to be may be able to access for a VAT refund through Tax Free Shopping.
- The merchant must be enrolled in a tax refund scheme (Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, or another provider) — not all stores participate.
- You need to request a tax refund form at the point of sale and have it stamped by customs before leaving the EU.
- Refunds are processed by the scheme provider and can take 4 to 12 weeks to reach your bank account or card, depending on the method you choose.
- Processing fees and deductions vary by country and scheme, so the amount you receive is often 15 to 25 percent less than the VAT you paid.
Who can claim an EU VAT refund
You must be a resident of a country outside the EU, Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland to claim a VAT refund. EU citizens and residents of the three associated countries cannot claim, even if they are temporarily visiting another EU country. Some countries have additional rules: the United Kingdom, for example, allows UK residents to claim VAT refunds in EU countries, but EU residents cannot claim in the UK.
You must also be taking the goods out of the EU within a set timeframe — usually within three months of purchase. The goods cannot be for business use; they must be for personal consumption or as gifts. Some items, such as services, fuel, or food consumed on-site, are not may be able to access for refunds under any circumstance.
Which stores and purchases may have access to
The merchant must be registered with a tax refund scheme. The three largest schemes are Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, and Innova Tax Free, but each country has additional local providers. Not every store participates, even in the same city or shopping district. Department stores and chain retailers are more likely to participate than small independent shops, though many do.
There is usually a minimum purchase amount per transaction or per day — this varies by country and scheme, but commonly ranges from €25 to €100. Some countries set the threshold higher. You must ask the store whether they are part of a tax refund scheme and request a refund form at the time of purchase; you cannot go back later and claim a refund for a past purchase.
Certain categories of goods are always excluded: services (haircuts, restaurant meals, hotel stays), fuel, vehicles, and items that are consumed or used before you leave the country. Alcohol and tobacco have special rules in some countries and may have lower refund percentages or higher minimum purchase thresholds.
How to request a refund form at the store
When you are ready to pay, tell the cashier or sales associate that you want to claim a VAT refund. They will ask for your passport to confirm you are a non-EU resident. You will then receive a tax refund form — this is usually a multi-part document with your receipt attached. The form will show the amount of VAT paid and the refund scheme provider's name.
Do not pack the goods in checked luggage yet. You will need to show them to customs before you leave the EU, and the form must be stamped by a customs officer. Keep the goods in their original packaging and with their tags attached if possible; customs officers may inspect them to confirm they have not been used.
Some stores use digital refund systems instead of paper forms. In these cases, you provide your email address or phone number, and the refund company sends you a link to complete the claim online. You still need to have your purchases inspected and stamped by customs.
Getting your refund form stamped at the airport or border
Before you check in your luggage or pass through the final security checkpoint, locate the customs office or tax refund desk in the airport terminal. These are usually near the departure gates or in the check-in area; ask an airport staff member if you cannot find it. Have your passport, refund form, and the goods themselves ready for inspection.
The customs officer will examine your purchases to confirm they are new and unused, then stamp the refund form. This stamp is essential — without it, the refund company will not process your claim. If you are leaving by train or car, you may be able to get the form stamped at a border crossing, but this is less reliable; airports have dedicated customs staff and are the safest option.
After the form is stamped, you can check your luggage or proceed through security. Do not open or use the goods after the form is stamped, as this may invalidate the refund if the customs officer's inspection is reviewed later.
Submitting your claim and receiving the refund
Once you have left the EU with a stamped form, you can submit your claim to the refund company. Most schemes allow you to mail the form back in a prepaid envelope provided at the store, or to upload a photo of the stamped form through their website or mobile app. Digital submission is faster and more reliable than postal mail.
Processing times vary by scheme and method. Refunds submitted online typically take 4 to 8 weeks; postal submissions can take 8 to 12 weeks or longer. You can choose to receive the refund as cash (if you submit at the airport), a credit to your debit or credit card, or a bank transfer to your account. Card and bank transfers are more common than cash for international claims.
The amount you receive will be less than the VAT you paid because the refund scheme deducts a processing fee. This fee is typically 15 to 25 percent of the refund amount, though it varies by country and scheme. Some schemes show the net refund amount on the form at the point of sale; others deduct the fee when they process your claim.
What to do if your refund is delayed or missing
If you submitted your claim more than 12 weeks ago and have not received the refund, contact the refund scheme provider directly. You will need your refund reference number, which appears on the form or in your online account. Most schemes have a customer service email or phone line; check the back of your refund form or the scheme's website for contact details.
If you submitted the form by mail and it was lost in transit, the scheme may ask you to provide proof of posting or a tracking number. If you submitted online, they can usually look up your claim by reference number and resend the refund if it was processed but not received.
If the customs officer refused to stamp your form, you cannot claim a refund — the stamp is a legal requirement in all EU countries. If you believe the refusal was in error, you can contact the customs authority in that country, but this is rarely successful and requires documentation of the original transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim a VAT refund if I am a US citizen living in the EU?
No. VAT refunds are only for non-residents of the EU, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland. If you live in any of these places, even on a temporary visa, you cannot claim. Your residency status matters, not your citizenship.
What if the store did not give me a refund form at the time of purchase?
You cannot claim a refund without the form. Some stores forget to offer it, or assume you are a resident. If this happens, contact the store directly and ask whether they can issue a retroactive form. Most will not, as the form must be created at the point of sale and linked to your receipt.
Do I have to claim the refund before I leave the EU?
You must have the form stamped by customs before you leave the EU, but you can submit the claim after you return home. The stamp is the time-sensitive step. You have several months to submit the form to the refund company after you leave.
Can I get a refund on food or restaurant meals?
No. Food and beverages consumed on-site or taken away for immediate consumption are not may be able to access. Packaged goods you are taking home, such as wine or chocolates, may be may be able to access if they meet the minimum purchase threshold and the store participates in a refund scheme.
What happens if customs finds that I have used the goods?
The customs officer may refuse to stamp the form if the goods show signs of use. If this happens, you cannot claim a refund. Keep all items in their original packaging and with tags attached until after customs inspection to avoid this problem.