Europe's VAT Refund: You Don't Get the Full Tax Rate Back
Shopping in Europe means the price tag already includes VAT, and any non-EU visitor can claim a refund on it. Two things are easy to miss. First, a 20% VAT rate doesn't mean you get back 20% of what you paid — since tax is baked into the price, the tax portion is actually 20/120, or about 16.7%. Second, refund agencies like Global Blue or Planet take a processing fee, so what you actually receive is smaller than the VAT portion itself. As a result, the final refund typically ends up around 10-15% of your purchase amount.
This calculator fills in the VAT rate automatically when you pick a country, then applies the agency fee rate to show your theoretical VAT portion, fee deducted, and net refund in USD. VAT rates and minimum purchase thresholds vary by country, so adjust the inputs to match your destination. Note that the UK ended its VAT refund scheme for tourists in 2021.
| Country | Standard VAT Rate |
|---|---|
| Germany | 19% |
| France / Netherlands | 20-21% |
| Spain | 21% |
| Italy | 22% |
| Sweden | 25% |
Frequently Asked Questions
In a 20% VAT country, a $120 purchase has a $20 VAT portion (20/120). After the agency fee, your net refund is usually 10-15% of the purchase amount.
Yes — France 20%, Germany 19%, Italy 22%, and more. Minimum purchase thresholds also vary, so check your destination's requirement.
No. Agency fees mean you often receive only 50-70% of the VAT portion, and cash refunds carry a bigger cut than card refunds.
※ VAT rates, thresholds, and fees vary by country and agency. This is an estimate for reference only.