European countries add a Value Added Tax, or VAT, to items sold in stores. The tax covers social services in member countries of the European Union. Non-Europeans can receive a VAT refund on certain purchases when they head home by following refund procedures. The process may seem cumbersome and time-consuming, but if you plan to spend a lot of money on merchandise, it may be worth the trouble.
Carry your passport when you shop. Your purchase at a single shop must generally exceed a certain amount, which varies by country, to qualify for a refund. Merchants need your passport to fill out documents.
Look for stores that have a "Tax Free Shopping Network" sticker in the window.
Ask the merchant for the necessary documents to obtain a tax refund. The merchant will fill out paperwork and give you a receipt for your purchase. Keep the documents in a safe place until you leave Europe.
Bring your refund paperwork and receipts to the airport at the last EU country you visit before you head home. Present the documents at Customs and get them stamped. Prepare to wait in line and show the items that you purchased. Documents that lack a stamp will not be eligible for a refund.
Locate a refund service office at the airport, if the merchant is associated with one. You may be able to get an instant refund, minus a commission fee.
When you are back home, mail the refund documents back to the merchant and wait for your tax refund.
