In Portugal, you must spend a minimum of €50 (net of tax), which typically translates to a total purchase amount of approximately €61.50 (including 23% VAT) in a single store, on the same day, to qualify for a VAT refund. The goods must be exported outside the EU within three months.
Minimum purchase amount per invoice
To benefit from the scheme, the invoice amount must be equal to or greater than 50 euros plus VAT.
And there is typically a minimum amount you have to spend in a store to qualify — as of November 2023, the minimum in the EU is 175 Euros. So it's usually high-ticket items, like jewelry or fine clothing, that qualify for a VAT refund, not a paperback novel or suntan lotion.
To claim VAT refund in UAE tourist should ask for a tax-free tag during purchase, validate goods at departure, and choose cash or card refund. Refund applies only to non-resident tourists aged 18+ who export goods within 90 days of purchase. Minimum spend required is AED 250 at stores registered under Planet Tax Free.
For any significant purchase, even at a boutique shop, it's always worth asking about a VAT refund. The precise details of getting your money back will depend on how a particular shop organizes its refund process. In most cases, you'll present your refund documents at the airport on the way home (explained later).
Some countries won't refund after the fact, so check with the Foreign Embassies & Consulates office of the country you visited. Also. the United States does not participate in the VAT tax refund, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are not mandated to stamp VAT tax forms.
VAT refunds let tourists get back Value Added Tax paid on goods they buy in countries like the EU, requiring forms from stores, proof of export (customs stamp at the airport before checking bags), and claiming the refund at airport desks, usually for unused items taken home, though the US doesn't offer this. The process involves getting an exemption form, keeping goods unused with tags on, getting customs to validate forms (often pre-security), and then processing the refund with operators like Global Blue, allowing for cash or credit card returns minus fees.
When compared to the standard VAT rates of other countries within Europe, the countries where you pay the lowest VAT rates are Switzerland, Luxembourg and Turkey. For this reason, the VAT rate for your purchases from these countries will be low. This will mean a reduction in the VAT fees you receive back.
Actual refund is 10–15% of the total price, due to how VAT is calculated and fees. Spend more than €100.01 to qualify for a VAT refund. Validate your tax-free form at customs before departure. Use our VAT refund calculator to see how much you can claim.
To calculate how much VAT to reclaim you need to work out the difference between the amount of VAT your business has charged on sales (output VAT) and the amount you've paid on business-related purchases (input VAT). Then deduct your input VAT figure from your output VAT figure.
AT THE CUSTOMS AND VAT REFUND OFFICES Present the Tax Free for which you want to be refunded, the passport, the flight booking or boarding card and goods purchased and follow the procedure described on the next page.
(You are considered an exporting tourist when you purchase goods and take them with you home, therefore becoming eligible for a refund of the VAT that you paid during the purchase.)
Net VAT Calculation: Subtract the total input VAT from the total output VAT. If the result is positive (output VAT exceeds input VAT), the business owes VAT to the tax authority. If the result is negative (input VAT exceeds output VAT), the business is eligible for a VAT refund.
Your passport, boarding pass, and tax refund forms will be required. Additionally, you must carry the purchased items with you—preferably in their original packaging—along with the receipts or invoices.
VAT is only refundable on purchases that exceed a total of €50 per invoice (net of tax) and which are not being purchased for commercial purposes or for resale. When you leave the European Union, you must be able to show that you are taking the goods with you in your personal baggage.
In Portugal, a VAT number is the same as the NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) issued by the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira to businesses registered for VAT, consisting of exactly 9 digits.
Unless you're using the flat rate scheme, you can calculate your VAT return by following the steps below:
Refund Amount Threshold: The refund amount must be at least 10% of your total tax paid during the financial year. For example, if your total tax liability was Rs. 50,000, your refund must exceed Rs. 5,000 to qualify for interest.
Who Can Claim a VAT Refund? In the USA, the opportunity to claim a VAT refund is generally reserved for foreign businesses and tourists who have incurred VAT on eligible expenses within VAT-imposing countries. US businesses may also seek VAT refunds from their business expenses in these countries.
VAT refunds let tourists get back Value Added Tax paid on goods they buy in countries like the EU, requiring forms from stores, proof of export (customs stamp at the airport before checking bags), and claiming the refund at airport desks, usually for unused items taken home, though the US doesn't offer this. The process involves getting an exemption form, keeping goods unused with tags on, getting customs to validate forms (often pre-security), and then processing the refund with operators like Global Blue, allowing for cash or credit card returns minus fees.
Minimum Purchase: France requires a minimum spend of €100 (VAT incl.) in a single store, on the same day to be eligible for a refund. This threshold was lowered from €175 in 2021 to attract tourists. If you spend at least €100.01 in one shop (all on one receipt), you qualify.
You cannot reclaim VAT for: anything that's only for personal use. goods and services your business uses to make VAT -exempt supplies. the cost of entertaining or providing hospitality to people you do business with (for example theatre or sports tickets)
Key Takeaways: Many taxes aren't imposed on items sold at duty-free stores, sometimes resulting in lower prices for consumers. Duty-free shops may offer better bargains when tariffs rise. Compare the cost of items that you can purchase at home or where you're traveling before buying from duty-free stores.
There is no VAT refund in the UK, so don't buy in London or Scotland. France and the Netherlands have the same prices as they are EU countries. LV in France will give you 12% of the VAT back through Global Blue.