What Global Blue does and how to use it

Global Blue is a company that processes VAT refunds for visitors shopping in Europe and other countries. When you buy goods in a store that participates in Global Blue, you can get back the sales tax (VAT) you paid — usually 15% to 25% of your purchase price — by following their refund process before you leave the country.

The basic path is straightforward: buy something, ask the store for a Global Blue refund form, fill it out, and show it to customs when you leave. Global Blue then sends your money back. The catch is timing and paperwork — you must do this before your flight or border crossing, and you need to keep your receipt and the form together.

Global Blue operates in over 80 countries and works with thousands of stores. Not every shop uses them, so you need to look for their logo in the window or ask at checkout. If a store doesn't use Global Blue, they may use a different refund company, and the process will be slightly different.

Key Takeaways

  • Global Blue refunds work only on goods you take out of the country unused — not on services, meals, or hotel stays.
  • You must ask for a refund form at the register when you buy, not after you leave the store.
  • Customs must stamp your form before you check luggage or pass through security, so plan to do this at the airport or border before you travel.
  • You can receive your refund as cash, a credit to your card, or store credit, depending on which option the refund point offers.
  • Minimum purchase amounts vary by country and store, usually between €25 and €100, so small purchases may not may have access to.

The step-by-step process at the store

When you decide to buy something, tell the cashier you want a VAT refund. They will ask for your passport — you must show it, as refunds are only for non-residents. The cashier prints a Global Blue refund form, which is usually a multi-part document with your receipt attached.

You keep one copy and the store keeps one. Do not lose your copy — you will need it at customs. The form shows the item, the price, the VAT amount, and your name and passport number. Some stores will also give you a prepaid envelope to mail the form back, though this is slower than getting it stamped at the airport.

Check the form before you leave the counter. Make sure your passport number is correct and the VAT amount matches what you expect. If something is wrong, ask the cashier to fix it then — you cannot change it later.

Getting your form stamped at customs or the airport

Before you leave the country, you must take your refund form and the unused goods to a customs officer or a Global Blue refund desk. At most airports, Global Blue has a dedicated counter in the departure area. If you are driving across a land border, there is usually a customs booth where you can get the form stamped.

Have your passport, the refund form, and the goods ready. The customs officer will check that the items are unused and match the form, then stamp it. This usually takes a few minutes. Do not pack the goods in checked luggage before getting the stamp — you must show them to customs, so keep them in your carry-on or have them accessible.

If you cannot find a Global Blue desk, ask airport staff where the VAT refund counter is. Many airports have one central location for all refund companies. If you are leaving by train or ferry, ask at the station or port — they usually have a customs area too.

How to receive your refund money

After customs stamps your form, you have three main options for how to get your money back. The fastest is to go directly to a Global Blue refund desk at the airport and hand them the stamped form — they will give you cash on the spot, though they may charge a small fee (usually €1 to €3). This works only if Global Blue has a physical desk where you are departing.

The second option is to mail the stamped form back to Global Blue in a prepaid envelope. They will then refund your money to the card you used to pay, or to a bank account you provide. This takes 4 to 8 weeks and requires you to trust the mail system, but there is no fee.

The third option, available at some airports and train stations, is to use a tax refund machine — a kiosk where you scan your form and it credits your card when ready. These machines are becoming more common in major European airports.

What items and purchases may have access to

VAT refunds cover goods you buy and take out of the country unused. Clothes, electronics, souvenirs, and gifts all may have access to. Services do not — haircuts, restaurant meals, hotel stays, and tours are not refundable, even if they have VAT added.

The purchase must meet a minimum amount set by each country and store. In France, for example, the minimum is often €100 in a single store on a single day. In Italy it may be €155. Some stores have lower minimums. If you buy €80 worth of goods, you will not get a refund even if you shop at the same store twice in one day — it has to be one transaction.

The goods must be unused and in original packaging. If you wear the jacket home or open the electronics box, customs will refuse to stamp the form. This is why you should keep everything in a bag and not touch it after you buy it.

Common reasons refunds get delayed or denied

The most common problem is forgetting to get the form stamped by customs. If you mail the form without a customs stamp, Global Blue will reject it and you will lose the refund. The stamp is not optional — it proves you took the goods out of the country.

The second problem is not having your passport when you buy. Some stores will print a form without it, but customs will not stamp it. Always carry your passport when you shop if you plan to claim a refund.

The third problem is buying goods that do not may have access to — services, food, or items you have already used. Customs will refuse to stamp the form if the goods look opened or worn. Keep everything sealed and in the bag until you are through customs.

Mailed forms sometimes get lost in the post. If you mail your form and do not see a refund after 10 weeks, contact Global Blue with your receipt and form number. They can sometimes reissue a refund if you have proof you sent it.

Global Blue versus other refund companies

Global Blue is the largest refund processor in Europe, but it is not the only one. Other companies like Premier Tax Free, Innova, and Tax Free For Tourists operate in some of the same countries and stores. The process is nearly identical — you ask for a form at checkout, get it stamped at customs, and claim your refund.

The main difference is which stores use which company. A store in Paris might use Global Blue, while a store in Milan uses Premier Tax Free. You cannot choose — you use whatever company the store participates in. The refund percentage and minimum purchase amounts are set by the country's government, not by the company, so you will get roughly the same amount regardless of which processor handles your form.

If you shop at multiple stores using different companies, you will have multiple forms to get stamped at customs. Bring them all and have the officer stamp each one. The process is the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I buy something online and have it shipped to my home?

No. VAT refunds are only for goods you buy in a physical store and take with you when you leave the country. Online purchases shipped to your home address do not may have access to, even if you buy from a European website while traveling.

What if I lose my refund form before I get to customs?

You cannot get a refund without the form. The form is your proof of purchase and the only document customs will stamp. If you lose it, contact the store where you bought the goods and ask if they can print a duplicate, but this is not may provide to work. Keep your form in a safe place from the moment you receive it.

Do I have to get cash, or can I get the refund on my credit card?

You can choose. At the airport refund desk, you can ask for cash or a card credit. If you mail the form, Global Blue will refund to the card you used to pay. Card refunds take longer but avoid the risk of carrying large amounts of cash.

Can I claim a refund if I am traveling to another European country, not leaving Europe?

No. VAT refunds are only for goods you take out of the country where you bought them. If you buy something in France and travel to Germany, you cannot claim a refund — you are still in the EU. You can only claim when you leave the EU entirely, or when you leave the specific country where you shopped.

How much money will I actually get back?

The refund is the VAT amount on your purchase. VAT rates vary by country and item type, usually between 15% and 25%. If you buy a €100 item in a country with 20% VAT, you get back €20. Global Blue may charge a small processing fee (€1 to €3) if you take cash at the airport, so your actual refund will be slightly less.