The VAT refund amount depends on the store, the item, and how much you spend

France's VAT refund is not a fixed percentage. The amount you receive back depends on three things: the VAT rate charged on your purchase, the store's refund policy, and whether you meet the minimum spending threshold. Most visitors get back between 12% and 15% of what they paid, but this varies by product category and retailer.

The standard VAT rate in France is 20%. However, some items are taxed at lower rates — 5.5% for most food, 10% for restaurant meals and some cultural events, and 2.1% for newspapers and magazines. When you request a refund, you only get back the VAT that was actually charged on that item, not a flat percentage of your total purchase.

Refund companies and stores also take a commission before they send you the money. This commission typically ranges from 3% to 5% of the refund amount, which is why the percentage you actually receive is lower than the VAT rate itself.

Key Takeaways

  • The VAT rate in France is 20% for most goods, but lower rates explore to food (5.5%), restaurant meals (10%), and some other items.
  • You only get back the VAT that was charged on your purchase, so a €100 item with 20% VAT returns €20 before any commission.
  • Refund companies deduct a commission of 3% to 5% from your refund, so your actual cash back is lower than the VAT percentage.
  • You must spend a minimum amount (usually €100 to €175 depending on the store) in a single transaction at one retailer to be may be able to access for any refund.
  • The refund percentage you receive is typically 12% to 15% of your original purchase price after all deductions.

How the calculation works with an example

Let's say you buy a €200 handbag in Paris. The price tag already includes VAT at 20%, so the VAT portion is €33.33. When you request a refund, that €33.33 is what the store or refund company will process.

However, the refund company takes a 4% commission on the refund amount. That commission is €1.33, leaving you with €32. In this case, you received back 16% of your original €200 purchase (€32 ÷ €200 = 0.16). The actual percentage varies depending on the commission rate the refund company charges.

If you had bought a €200 item with a lower VAT rate — say 5.5% for certain goods — the VAT portion would only be €10.45. After a 4% commission (€0.42), you would receive €10.03, or about 5% of your original purchase. This is why the refund percentage you see advertised (often 12–15%) is an average across typical purchases, not a may provide for every item.

Why the refund is less than the VAT rate

The difference between the VAT rate and the refund percentage you actually receive comes down to commissions and how VAT is calculated. The VAT is already built into the price you see on the shelf, so a €100 item with 20% VAT actually cost the store €83.33 plus €16.67 in tax.

When you request a refund, the refund company or retailer takes a cut for processing your paperwork, handling the export documentation, and sending the money to you. This commission is typically 3% to 5% of the refund amount itself, not the purchase price. On a €100 purchase with 20% VAT, you would receive approximately €19 to €19.40 instead of the full €20, because the commission reduces your payout.

Some stores also offer lower refund percentages than others. A luxury retailer might offer 15% back, while a department store might offer 12%. Always ask the refund desk what percentage they will return before you complete your purchase.

Different VAT rates for different product categories

France uses several VAT rates depending on what you buy. Understanding which rate applies helps you estimate your refund before you spend money.

The standard rate of 20% applies to most goods: clothing, shoes, handbags, electronics, cosmetics, and luxury items. This is the rate most tourists encounter and the reason refunds on these items tend to be highest.

A reduced rate of 5.5% applies to most food and beverages, including groceries, bakery items, and non-alcoholic drinks. Restaurant meals are taxed at 10%, not 5.5%. Books, newspapers, and magazines are taxed at 2.1%. Because these items have lower VAT rates, your refund on them will be much smaller than on clothing or electronics, even if you spend the same amount.

Some items cannot be refunded at all, including services (haircuts, hotel stays, car rentals) and items you consume in France (meals eaten at a restaurant, drinks at a bar). You can only get a VAT refund on goods you physically take out of France.

Minimum spending thresholds that trigger a refund

Most stores and refund companies require you to spend a minimum amount in a single transaction before they will process a refund. This threshold is usually between €100 and €175, though it varies by retailer and refund company.

The threshold applies to purchases at one store on one day, not to your total spending across multiple shops. If you spend €80 at one boutique and €80 at another, you will not meet the minimum at either location and will not receive a refund. However, if you spend €160 at one store, you will likely may have access to.

Some luxury retailers have lower thresholds (€100) while department stores may require €175 or more. Always ask the refund desk what the minimum is before you shop, so you know whether it is worth pursuing a refund on your purchases.

How refund companies take their cut

When you request a VAT refund, you typically work with a refund company rather than directly with the French government. The largest refund companies in France are Global Blue, Planet, and Refunds. Each company charges a different commission rate.

Global Blue typically charges 3% to 4% of the refund amount. Planet charges around 4% to 5%. These commissions are deducted before you receive your money, whether you get the refund as cash, a credit card deposit, or a check. Some stores offer slightly higher refund percentages to compensate for the commission, but this is not may provide.

The refund company's commission covers the cost of processing your paperwork, verifying your export documents, and transferring the money to you. It is a standard part of the refund process and applies to all tourists, not just those from outside the EU.

What affects the final amount you receive

Several factors determine exactly how much money ends up in your pocket. The VAT rate on the item is the starting point — 20% for most goods, lower for food and certain other items. The store's refund policy is next — some retailers offer higher percentages than others, even for the same product category. The refund company's commission comes third, typically reducing your payout by 3% to 5%. Finally, the method you choose to receive the refund affects the amount: cash refunds at the airport may have a slightly lower percentage than credit card refunds, because the refund company pays a fee to provide cash.

Currency exchange rates also matter if you are not from the eurozone. If you receive your refund in euros but your bank converts it to your home currency, the exchange rate at the time of conversion will affect your final amount. This is outside the refund company's control but worth keeping in mind.

To get the highest refund, buy items with the standard 20% VAT rate (clothing, electronics, luxury goods) rather than reduced-rate items, spend enough to meet the minimum threshold at one store, and ask the refund desk which refund company they use and what percentage they offer before you make your purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund on food or restaurant meals?

Food and restaurant meals have lower VAT rates (5.5% for groceries, 10% for restaurant meals), so refunds on these items are much smaller than on clothing or electronics. You can technically request a refund on packaged food you take out of France, but the amount will be minimal. Meals eaten at restaurants cannot be refunded because they are considered a service consumed in France.

What is the difference between the advertised refund percentage and what I actually receive?

The advertised percentage (often 12–15%) is an average across typical purchases. Your actual refund depends on the VAT rate of the specific item, the store's refund policy, and the refund company's commission. A €100 item with 20% VAT might return 16% after commission, while a €100 item with 5.5% VAT might return only 5% after commission.

Do I get a better refund if I use a credit card instead of cash?

Credit card refunds and cash refunds typically offer similar percentages, though some refund companies charge slightly more for cash because they pay a fee to provide it at the airport. Ask the refund desk which method offers the higher percentage before you choose.

What if I buy items at multiple stores — can I combine them for the minimum spending threshold?

No. The minimum spending threshold applies to purchases at a single store in a single transaction. If you spend €80 at one shop and €80 at another, you will not meet the minimum at either location. You must spend the full amount (usually €100–€175) at one retailer to may have access to for a refund.

Do EU residents get the same refund as non-EU tourists?

Yes. VAT refunds in France are available to anyone who is not a French resident, regardless of where they live. EU residents, UK residents, and tourists from all countries can request a refund as long as they meet the spending threshold and take the goods out of France within the required timeframe.