You can claim a VAT refund at the airport before you leave, but only if you bought goods in stores that participate in the refund scheme and you meet the store's minimum purchase amount.
The process works like this: you buy something in a participating shop, ask for a tax refund form at the register, keep your receipt and the form together, and then present both to a refund desk at the airport before you check in or after you land, depending on the country. The refund desk scans your form, checks your passport to confirm you're leaving the country, and either gives you cash on the spot or processes a refund to your credit card.
Not every store participates. Department stores, luxury goods shops, and airport retailers usually do. Small independent shops, restaurants, and supermarkets often don't. The minimum purchase amount varies by country and by store—it might be €25 in one shop and €50 in another. You'll see signs in the window if a store is part of the scheme, usually marked with logos like "Tax Free Shopping" or "Global Blue".
Key Takeaways
- You must ask for a tax refund form at the register when you buy the item, not later—you cannot go back to a shop after you've left and request one.
- The refund desk is usually in the departure hall before security or in the duty-free area after security, depending on the airport; check the airport map or ask at information.
- You need your passport, the original receipt, and the refund form; the staff will scan the form and check your passport to confirm you're a non-resident leaving the country.
- Refunds are paid in cash, by card, or credited back to your original payment method, depending on what the refund company offers and what you choose.
- The refund amount is usually 10 to 20 percent of the purchase price, but the refund company takes a processing fee, so you receive less than the full VAT amount.
Where the refund desk is located in the airport
Most airports have a dedicated refund desk in the departure hall, usually near the check-in counters or in a central location. Look for signs that say "Tax Refund", "VAT Refund", or the name of the refund company (Global Blue, Premier Tax Free, and Innova are the largest). If you don't see one, ask at the airport information desk—they can point you to it.
Some airports have multiple refund desks run by different companies. If your form is from Global Blue, you go to the Global Blue desk. If it's from Premier Tax Free, you go to their desk. The shop should have told you which company they use when you got the form.
A few airports put the refund desk after security in the duty-free area instead of before. This is less common but happens at some European airports. If you're not sure, ask the shop staff when you get the form—they know where to send customers.
What documents you need to bring
Bring three things: your passport, the original receipt from the shop, and the tax refund form the shop gave you. The form is usually a multi-part document with your name, the shop name, the item description, and the refund amount already filled in. Do not lose it.
Keep the receipt and form together in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage. You need to show them at the refund desk before you check in, or if you're checking in first, you need to go through security and find the refund desk in the departure area before you board.
Some refund companies also accept a photo of the receipt and form if you've lost the originals, but this is slower and less reliable. It's much easier to keep the paper versions.
The step-by-step process at the airport
First, locate the refund desk for the company that issued your form. Have your passport, receipt, and form ready. Walk up to the desk and tell the staff member you want to claim your refund.
The staff member will scan your form (or enter the details manually if the scanner doesn't work). They will ask to see your passport and will check that the name on the form matches the name in your passport. They will verify that you are leaving the country and that the purchase was made within the allowed time frame (usually within three months).
Once everything checks out, they will ask how you want your refund. Your options are usually cash in the local currency, a credit to your original payment card, or a transfer to a bank account. Cash is when ready. Card refunds take three to five business days. Choose what works for you.
They will process the refund, give you a receipt, and you're done. The whole process takes about five minutes per form.
How much money you actually receive
The refund is not the full VAT amount. The refund company takes a processing fee, usually between 10 and 20 percent of the refund itself. So if the VAT on your purchase was €20, you might receive €16 or €17 after the fee.
The exact amount depends on the refund company and the country. The shop receipt or the refund form should show the net refund amount you'll receive—this is the number after the fee has been deducted. That's what you'll actually get.
Some shops advertise "tax-free shopping" but don't mention the processing fee. The fee is always there. It's how the refund companies make money.
What happens if you miss the refund desk
If you don't claim your refund at the airport, you can still claim it later, but it's much slower and less certain. Some refund companies let you mail in your form and receipt after you've left the country. You fill out a form on their website, upload photos of your documents, and they process the refund to your bank account or card. This takes four to eight weeks.
Other refund companies will not process refunds after you've left the airport. Check the refund form or the company's website to see what their policy is. If you're unsure, ask the refund desk staff before you leave the airport—they can tell you whether a post-airport claim is possible.
The safest approach is to claim at the airport. It's when ready, and you know it's done.
Which shops participate in the refund scheme
Large department stores, luxury goods retailers, electronics shops, and fashion brands almost always participate. Duty-free shops in the airport itself do not offer VAT refunds because they don't charge VAT in the first place.
Small independent shops, local boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets usually don't participate. Some do, but you have to ask. Look for a sticker or sign in the window that says "Tax Free Shopping", "Global Blue", "Premier Tax Free", or another refund company name.
If a shop doesn't participate, you cannot get a refund for that purchase, even if you ask at the airport. The refund desk can only process forms that came from registered shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to claim my refund before I check my bags?
Yes. You need to show the items to the refund desk staff if they ask, so they must be in your carry-on bag. Go to the refund desk before you check in. If you've already checked your bags, you cannot claim the refund because you can't show the items.
What if the refund form is damaged or I lost part of it?
Tell the refund desk staff. Some can still process it if the barcode is readable and your passport matches the name on the form. Others will refuse. If the form is completely illegible, you may be able to claim later by mail, but this is not may provide. Keep your forms in good condition.
Can I get a refund if I'm flying out of a different country than where I bought the item?
Yes, as long as you claim it at an airport in a country that's part of the VAT refund scheme. Most European airports are. If you bought something in France and you're flying out of Germany, you can claim the refund at the German airport. The refund company will process it the same way.
What if my refund form is from a company I've never heard of?
It doesn't matter. The refund desk at the airport will have a desk for that company, or they can direct you to it. Smaller refund companies are legitimate. Just bring your form, receipt, and passport to the desk that matches the company name on your form.
Do I get the refund in the currency of the country where I bought the item?
If you choose cash, yes—you'll get it in the local currency of the airport where you claim it. If you choose a card refund, it will be converted to your card's currency by your bank, and you may see a small currency conversion fee. Cash is simpler if you want to avoid conversion fees.