Who can claim a VAT refund and where
You can claim back the Value Added Tax (VAT) you paid on goods you bought while visiting a country, but only if you meet three conditions: you must be a non-resident of that country, you must take the goods out of the country within a set timeframe (usually three months), and you must have bought them from a participating retailer. The refund is available in most European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and several others—but not in every country, and the rules and percentages vary significantly by location.
The VAT rate itself ranges from around 15% to 27% depending on the country, and the refund you receive is typically a percentage of that amount, not the full tax. For example, if a country's VAT is 20%, you might receive back 15% to 18% of the purchase price after fees. Some countries also set a minimum purchase amount before you can claim—common thresholds are €25 to €100 per receipt, though this varies.
Key Takeaways
- You must be a non-resident of the country where you made the purchase, and most countries require you to take the goods out within three months of buying them.
- Not all retailers participate in VAT refund schemes; look for a "Tax Free Shopping" or "Global Blue" sticker in the window before you buy.
- You will need your passport, the original receipt, and the goods themselves (unused) when you claim the refund at the airport or border.
- Refunds are processed through a third-party company, not directly by the government, and can take weeks or months to reach your bank account or credit card.
- The amount you receive back is less than the full VAT rate because the refund company takes a commission, typically 10% to 20% of the refund.
How to claim at the airport or border
The standard way to claim a VAT refund is at the airport or border when you leave the country. Before you leave, locate the VAT refund desk—this is usually in the departure hall near check-in or in the duty-free area. You will need to show the refund company staff your passport, the original receipt, the goods themselves (still in their original packaging, unused), and your boarding pass or travel document.
The staff will inspect the items to confirm they are unused and match the receipt. They will then stamp your refund form (or process it digitally if the retailer uses an electronic system). At this point, you can choose how to receive your money: as cash on the spot (usually in the local currency), as a credit to your credit card or debit card, or as a bank transfer. Cash refunds are immediate but often come with a lower percentage back because of additional handling fees. Card and bank transfers take longer—typically two to eight weeks—but you receive a higher percentage of the refund.
If you do not claim at the airport, some countries allow you to mail in your refund forms after you return home, but this is slower and less reliable. You will need to include copies of your receipts, proof of export (such as a customs stamp), and your bank details. Processing times for postal claims can stretch to three months or longer.
What to do before you leave the store
At the point of purchase, ask the retailer if they are part of a VAT refund scheme. Look for stickers or signs showing "Tax Free Shopping," "Global Blue," "Planet," or "Premier Tax Free"—these are the main refund companies operating in Europe. Not all stores participate, and some only refund purchases above a certain amount.
When you pay, tell the cashier you want a VAT refund form. They will give you a receipt and a refund document (usually a multi-part form). Keep the receipt, the refund form, and the goods together. Do not open or use the items. Some retailers will ask for your passport details at the till to start the refund process; others will do this at the airport.
If the retailer uses an electronic system (increasingly common), they may scan your passport and email you a digital refund form instead of a paper one. Make sure you have access to that email account when you reach the airport, as you may need to show the digital form on your phone.
Minimum purchase amounts and refund percentages by country
| Country | Minimum Purchase | VAT Rate | Typical Refund % |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | €100 | 20% | 12–15% |
| Germany | €50 | 19% | 13–16% |
| Italy | €155 | 22% | 14–17% |
| Spain | €90.16 | 21% | 13–16% |
| United Kingdom | £30 | 20% | 13–16% |
| Switzerland | CHF 100 | 7.7% | 5–6% |
The minimum purchase amount is per receipt in most countries, not per item or per day. If you buy multiple items from the same store on the same day, they can be combined on one receipt to reach the threshold. Some countries allow you to combine purchases from different stores on the same day if you process them together at the airport, but this depends on the refund company and the country.
The refund percentage you see in the table is what you actually receive after the refund company takes its commission. The difference between the VAT rate and the refund percentage is the fee charged by the processing company. This fee is non-negotiable and is built into the system.
What happens if you do not claim at the airport
If you leave the country without claiming your refund at the airport, you can still pursue it by mail, but the process is slower and less certain. You will need to send the original refund form, a copy of your receipt, and proof that you exported the goods (such as a customs stamp on your passport or a copy of your boarding pass) to the refund company's address, which is printed on the form.
Processing times for postal claims vary widely—some companies respond within four to six weeks, while others take two to three months. You may also face additional fees for processing a claim by post. Some refund companies will not process postal claims at all if you did not get a customs stamp at the airport, so check the form before you leave.
If you bought the items from a retailer that uses an electronic refund system, you may be able to submit your claim online through the refund company's website. This is faster than postal mail but still slower than claiming at the airport. You will need to upload photos of your receipt and passport, and provide your bank details for the refund.
Refunds for online purchases and shipped goods
VAT refunds for goods you bought online and had shipped to your home country are handled differently and depend on where the retailer is based and where you live. If you are a non-resident of the EU and bought from an EU retailer, the retailer may have already charged you VAT at checkout. In this case, you can request a refund directly from the retailer, not through the airport system.
To claim, contact the retailer's customer service and ask about their VAT refund policy for non-residents. You will typically need to provide proof of your non-residency (such as a passport showing your home country) and your order number. Some retailers process this automatically; others require you to fill out a form. Refunds usually take two to four weeks to appear in your account.
If the retailer did not charge VAT at checkout, you generally cannot claim a refund because no tax was collected. This sometimes happens with retailers outside the EU or with certain types of goods.
Common reasons refunds are delayed or denied
Refunds are sometimes delayed or rejected because the goods show signs of use, the receipt is missing or illegible, the refund form was not properly stamped at the airport, or the claim was submitted after the deadline (usually six months to one year from the purchase date, depending on the country and refund company). Damaged packaging or opened items will almost always result in a denial, even if the product inside is unused.
If your refund does not arrive within the timeframe stated on your form, contact the refund company directly using the reference number on your receipt. You can usually find contact details on the back of the refund form or on the company's website. Provide your receipt number, the date of purchase, and the amount claimed. Response times vary, but most companies will investigate within two to four weeks.
If your claim is denied, the refund company will send you a letter explaining why. If you believe the denial is incorrect—for example, if the goods were genuinely unused—you can appeal by sending photos of the items and a written explanation to the address provided. Appeals are not always successful, but it is worth trying if you have evidence on your side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to claim the refund in the country where I bought the items?
Yes, you must claim at the airport or border of the country where you made the purchase. You cannot claim a refund for items bought in France, for example, at the German airport. If you are traveling through multiple countries, claim at the airport of your final departure point from the EU or the country in question.
Can I claim a VAT refund if I am a citizen of that country but live abroad?
No. Most refund schemes require you to be a non-resident, which typically means you do not live in that country and do not have a permanent address there. Citizenship does not matter. If you live in France but are a German citizen, you cannot claim a French VAT refund.
What if I bought items in multiple countries during one trip?
You claim each country's refund at that country's airport or border. If you bought items in France and Germany, you claim the French refund when you leave France and the German refund when you leave Germany. Keep your receipts and goods organized by country to make this easier.
How long does it take to receive a refund to my bank account?
Bank transfers typically take two to eight weeks, though some companies take up to twelve weeks. Credit card refunds are usually faster, at one to four weeks. Cash refunds at the airport are immediate. Check the timeframe printed on your refund form, as it varies by company and country.
Can I claim a VAT refund on food, alcohol, or services?
No. VAT refunds are only for goods you take out of the country. Food, alcohol, and services (such as hotel stays or restaurant meals) are not refundable, even if you paid VAT on them. Some countries also exclude certain items like cars or fuel from the refund scheme.