Buying goods under the tax free system: how to get a refund?

When shopping in Europe, Ukrainians can take advantage of a nice bonus and get up to 25% of their money back. Learn more about how the Tax Free system works and who can use the service

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The Tax Free system allows tourists to receive a portion of the VAT (value added tax) paid on purchases made in other countries. The savings depend on the VAT rate, which is usually between 4% and 25%.

For example, if you purchase goods worth €1,000 in Germany, you can get a refund of up to 19% of this amount, which is €190. VAT rates can be checked on the website of global Tax Free operators.

According to European tax legislation, VAT is applied within the country but does not apply when goods are exported outside the country. Therefore, in order to receive a tax refund, the goods must cross the border within a certain period after purchase.

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Tax Free applies only to non-residents of the country. The following groups of persons are not eligible for this service:

1. Refugees;

2. Persons employed abroad;

3. Persons with permanent residence permits.

Which goods are eligible for a Tax Free refund?

The Tax Free system applies to goods for personal use that can be imported in luggage (clothing, decor, cosmetics, appliances, etc.), with the exception of fuel.

However, abuse of this service should be avoided, as frequent purchases may result in the refusal to issue tax refund documents.

The minimum receipt amount for Tax Free is set by stores and usually ranges from €50 in Germany to €100 in France. These restrictions allow shoppers to make effective use of this service by ensuring a sufficient amount of purchases for a tax refund, but avoiding excessive transactions that may result in the refusal to issue documents.

Read also: Guide to hassle-free travel under the new rules for crossing the border into Europe

How to use the Tax Free service?

The Tax Free system is suitable for the following cases:

1. Purchase of goods. Shops that support the Tax Free system usually have corresponding stickers on their shop windows. If there is no logo, it is better to check this with the sellers. Be sure to request a VAT refund receipt at the checkout.

2. Filling out the form. You must provide your address and passport details on a special form.

3. Keeping your receipts. Do not use the purchased goods before crossing the border, as customs must check their condition. Also, be sure to keep all receipts.

4. Validation. Before leaving the country, show your purchases, passport and tax-free form to customs to obtain a stamp confirming that the goods have been taken abroad.

Important! The tax refund document is issued in the name of one specific person. Therefore, if you plan to combine purchases with someone else, you also need to think about how to divide the funds.

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How to get a refund through the Tax Free system?

There are two possible ways to get a refund through the Tax Free system:

1. Receipt at the same store. This method provides a 100% VAT refund, as the store issues the Tax Free document itself, without involving third parties. The customer can receive the money directly at the store during their next visit. To use this method, you must first cross the border, then return to the country of purchase and present the confirmed Tax Free document at the store. It is important to adhere to a certain time frame.

2. Receiving funds through special service points. Such points are located at the border and at airports. They serve well-known operators: Global Blue, Global Refund, Premier Tax Free. Intermediaries charge a commission for their services. However, this method is convenient because you can choose how to receive your money: in cash or on a card. All this can be done on the spot at a time convenient for you.

Remember that one of the mandatory conditions for staying abroad is having medical insurance. Thanks to insurance, you will be able to receive quality medical care without having to pay for it.

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Reminder! In the second quarter of 2025, housing prices in the EU rose again, with Portugal, Bulgaria and Hungary leading the way. Find out how prices have changed in different EU countries and what influences the real estate market.

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