Tax Free shopping in Europe lets you reclaim part of the VAT you paid on goods when you leave the EU. Because Georgia is outside the EU, a Georgian tourist qualifies fully — done correctly, you get back around 10-15% of the price. This guide explains who qualifies, what the minimum spend is, and how the refund process works at the airport.
🛍️ What Tax Free is and who qualifies
VAT is already included in European prices — from 17% to 27% depending on the country. If you're a non-resident (you don't live in the EU) and you carry the goods out of the country, you're entitled to reclaim most of that tax. It applies to clothes, electronics and gifts — not to hotels or restaurants.
Tax Free isn't the same as airport 'duty free' — the two are often confused. Duty free is a tax-exempt shop at departure, while Tax Free is reclaiming the VAT on something bought in a regular city shop. For duty free, see the duty free shopping guide.
💶 Minimum spend and the percentage
- Almost every country has a minimum spend per receipt — e.g. ~€100 in France, ~€70 in Italy, ~€50 in Germany
- The refund isn't the full VAT amount — an intermediary (Global Blue, Planet) keeps a commission; you get back ~10-15% in the end
- Goods must be unused and packaged when you leave the country — customs may ask to inspect them
- Spending above the minimum in one shop is more worthwhile than several small receipts
📝 The process — step by step
First, in the shop: when buying, ask the assistant for a Tax Free form (or a digital receipt) and show your passport. Keep the form with the receipt. Then, when leaving the country at the airport, you must validate the form — either with a customs stamp or at an automated kiosk (e.g. the DIVA system).
After validation you get the refund: to a card, in cash or via an app. A cash refund is immediate but at a worse rate — a card refund is usually more favorable. For more on rates, see the currency exchange guide.
Validate the form before check-in, while you still have your bags — customs may ask to see the goods. Tax Free desk first, then check in your baggage.
🛂 The airport refund — key rules
The refund is processed at your last point of exit from the EU. If, say, you bought something in Rome but fly home via Vienna, you validate the form at Vienna airport — in the last EU country.
Allow time: the queue at the Tax Free desk can be long, especially at peak hours. Arriving early at the airport is useful anyway — when budgeting your costs, also factor in the European tourist city tax.
✅ Practical tips
- Shop where you see a 'Tax Free' or 'Global Blue/Planet' sign — they'll issue the form easily
- Keep all receipts and forms together, in a separate envelope — losing one wrecks the refund
- City cards also save you on museums and transport — see the European city cards guide
- Search flights and compare dates to Europe on the Travel365 price calendar and flight search
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