Shopping on vacation can be a highlight of the trip when you find unique items or something to remember your trip by. Non EU travelers can get a partial tax refund when shopping in the EU as long as a minimum spend is reached (usually €50–€175, depending on the country) at a single store on the same day. Keep your receipts and VAT form, and file for the refund at the airport before leaving the EU.
What Is a VAT Refund?
VAT stands for Value Added Tax, and it’s already baked into the price tag on everything you buy in the EU, unlike the US where sales tax gets added at checkout. Because non-EU residents aren’t meant to pay this consumption tax on goods they’re taking home, the EU allows you to reclaim a portion of it.
Tip: VAT rates and minimum spending thresholds vary by country, since each of the 27 EU member states sets its own rules.
Example: During our trip to Italy, VAT was 22%, and we qualified for a refund after spending at least €70.01 at a single store in one day. (We found beautiful genuine Italian leather bags without the high-end designer cost at Coccinelle and Furla. Read about our full 7-day Rome & Positano trip here.)
Who Qualifies for a VAT Refund?
- You’re a permanent resident of a non-EU country
- You’re leaving the EU with the items (not just moving between EU countries)
- You’re exporting the goods unused, typically within 3 months of purchase
- You met the store’s minimum spend threshold in a single transaction
How Do You Claim a VAT Refund?
- Bring your passport when you shop. Most retailers require it to verify your identity and non-EU residency before they’ll issue a VAT form.
- Get your paperwork at checkout. The retailer will typically fill out, sign, and stamp a VAT refund form, then hand it to you along with your receipt. Keep both together because you’ll need them at the airport.
- Keep tags on and items accessible. Luxury purchases may be inspected at customs, so don’t pack them in checked luggage.
- File at the airport before you fly home. You must complete the VAT refund process before leaving the EU, not after you land back home.
- Regular goods: You usually don’t need to show the items themselves and cab file at an airport customs kiosk after checking your luggage.
- Luxury or high-value items: Customs may want to inspect the item, so carry it with you.
What Are the VAT Refund Options?
|
Option |
Speed |
Currency |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cash |
Instant |
Euros |
Fastest but need to exchange currency |
|
Card Refund |
Few Days |
Home Currency |
We chose this – showed up in 5 days |
Tip: Check if your bank charges foreign transaction fees first. Some US banks, like Chase, will exchange foreign currency for customers at no added fee (the standard exchange rate still applies).
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the minimum purchase amount for a VAT refund? It depends on the country. In Italy, for example, it’s €70.01 spent at one store in a single day. Other EU countries have their own thresholds, generally in the €50–€175 range.
Can I get a VAT refund on hotels or restaurants? No. VAT refunds for tourists apply to physical goods you’re exporting, not services like lodging, dining, or transportation.
Where do I file my VAT refund? At the airport before you leave the EU. Luxury goods may need to be inspected at customs, but regular goods can go in checked luggage and you can file at a kiosk or go to the VAT refund desk.
What happens if I forget to file before I fly home? You generally lose the refund. Some services allow mail-in claims after the fact, but it’s far less reliable than filing at the airport in person.
Have you claimed a VAT refund in Europe? Drop your experience in the comments. We’d love to hear where your favorite finds came from.
