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Tourist VAT Refund Calculator (Tax-Free Shopping)

Estimate the VAT refund on tax-free shopping abroad: VAT included in the price, the share kept by the refund operator, the refund you actually receive and your real cost after the refund.

Price paid (VAT included)

VAT rate

Share of the VAT kept by the refund operator

Fixed handling fee

Minimum purchase to qualify

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How it works

VAT in the price = price × rate ÷ (100 + rate) · kept by operator = VAT × operator share + fixed fee · refund = VAT − kept (0 below the minimum purchase) · refund % = refund ÷ price paid

Visitors from outside a VAT area can usually reclaim the VAT on goods they take home unused, within a deadline, by having the export form validated by customs. The VAT inside a VAT-inclusive price is price × rate ÷ (100 + rate) — at 20% that is one sixth of the price, not 20%. Most shops use refund operators that keep part of the VAT as a fee, so the money you get back is less than the VAT; a direct refund from the retailer or a customs refund may return more.

Worked example

You pay $500.00 for goods at a 20% VAT rate. The price includes $83.33 of VAT ($416.67 before VAT). The purchase is above the $100 minimum, so it is eligible; the operator keeps 30% ($25.00), and you receive a refund of $58.33 — 11.67% of the price — making your cost after the refund $441.67.

Sources: European Commission — VAT refunds for travellers (Your Europe) · Wikipedia — Tax-free shopping

Frequently asked questions

How much VAT do tourists get back?

Less than the full VAT in most cases. At a 20% VAT rate the VAT is 16.67% of the price; after typical operator fees the refund is often about 10–14% of what you paid.

How is VAT calculated from a price that includes VAT?

Multiply the price by rate ÷ (100 + rate). At 20% VAT, a 120 price contains 20 of VAT; at 21%, a 121 price contains 21; at 10%, a 110 price contains 10.

Who can claim a tourist VAT refund?

Generally people who live outside the VAT area and take the goods out of it, usually within about three months, unused. Each country sets its own minimum purchase, eligible goods and validation steps.

Is there a minimum purchase?

Many countries set one per shop and receipt — for example €100 in France or no minimum in some EU countries. Set the minimum to 0 if none applies.

Can I get the VAT back on services like hotels or meals?

Usually not — tourist refund schemes cover goods you export, not services consumed in the country.

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