About the VAT Refund Calculator
This VAT refund calculator estimates how much money a visitor gets back from tax-free shopping abroad. Enter the price you paid (which already includes VAT), choose the country or enter its VAT rate, and add the refund operator's fees. It works out the VAT contained in the price, what the refund company keeps and the net refund that reaches your card or wallet.
It is for travellers who live outside the EU shopping in Europe — and for anyone comparing the "up to 20% back" signs with what really arrives. Because VAT is included in the shelf price, the tax portion is smaller than the headline rate: at 20% VAT it is one-sixth of the price, 16.7%. Refund services such as Global Blue and Planet then keep a share, so the typical net refund is closer to 10–14% of the price.
Refunds usually require a minimum spend, a tax-free form issued at purchase, and customs validation when you leave the EU with the unused goods. The country presets are the standard VAT rates published by the European Commission (checked July 2026); reduced-rate goods such as books or food get less back. The minimum spend is built in for France (more than €100 in one store or store group over up to three days) and Germany (more than €50 per invoice); for other countries you enter it yourself, because thresholds change and differ by country. Confirm the threshold and fees with the retailer or refund operator.
With the default inputs, the estimated net refund is €58.33. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the vat refund calculator
- 1Enter the price you paid in the shop, including VAT.
- 2Pick the country, or choose "Other" and type its VAT rate.
- 3Enter the refund operator’s fee (percentage of VAT) and any fixed fee.
- 4For countries other than France and Germany, enter the minimum spend (0 if there is none).
- 5Read the net refund and the effective discount.
Formula and method
Shelf prices in Europe include VAT, so the tax contained in a price P at rate r% is P × r ÷ (100 + r), not P × r ÷ 100. At 20% VAT, €120 includes €20 of tax — one-sixth of the price. That is the maximum refund possible.
Refund operators deduct a commission, modelled here as a percentage f of the VAT plus an optional fixed handling fee F per form. If the purchase is below the minimum spend, no refund is due. The effective discount is the net refund divided by the price you paid, which is the real saving versus buying the same item at home tax-inclusive.
- P
- Purchase price including VAT
- r
- VAT rate in percent
- f
- Operator fee as a percentage of the VAT
- F
- Fixed handling fee per form
Worked examples
€500 handbag in Paris
A €500 price includes €500 × 20/120 = €83.33 of VAT. The refund operator keeps 30% (€25), so about €58.33 comes back — an effective 11.7% discount, not 20%.
€1,200 in Italy with a handling fee
At 22% the VAT inside €1,200 is €216.39. A 35% commission (€75.74) and a €3 fee leave a net refund of about €137.66, or 11.5% of the price.
Below the French minimum spend
A €90 purchase contains €15 of VAT but France requires purchases of more than €100 in one store (over up to three days), so no tax-free form is issued and nothing is refunded.
€60 purchase in Germany refunded directly by the shop
Germany’s 19% VAT inside €60 is €60 × 19/119 = €9.58. The purchase is above Germany’s €50 per-invoice minimum, and with no operator commission the whole €9.58 comes back — a 15.97% discount on the shelf price.
Frequently asked questions
Who can claim a VAT refund in Europe?+
Visitors whose permanent residence is outside the EU can claim VAT back on goods they buy and take home unused in their personal luggage. EU residents cannot claim a tourist refund within the EU.
Why is my refund less than the VAT rate?+
VAT is included in the price, so at 20% VAT the tax is only 16.7% of what you paid. Refund companies then keep a commission, so the net refund is typically 10–14% of the price in a 20% VAT country.
How do I get my VAT refund?+
Ask the shop for a tax-free form at purchase, show your passport, then validate the form with customs (or an electronic kiosk such as PABLO in France) at your final EU exit point before checking your bags. The refund is paid to your card or in cash.
Can I still get a VAT refund in the UK?+
Not in Great Britain: tax-free shopping for visitors ended on 1 January 2021, so VAT on goods you carry out of shops in England, Scotland or Wales cannot be reclaimed. You can still buy VAT-free if the retailer ships the goods straight to an address outside the UK, and Northern Ireland keeps a refund scheme for visitors from outside the UK and EU.
Is there a minimum purchase for tax-free shopping?+
Most countries set one. France requires more than €100 in one store or store group over at most three days, and Germany more than €50 per invoice. Italy’s threshold is commonly quoted as €70.01, while Spain and Ireland have no minimum — confirm with the retailer before you shop.
Tax results are estimates based on published rules and simplified assumptions. They are not tax advice — check official guidance or a tax professional for your situation.