VAT refund (Mehrwertsteuer) for non-resident visitors in Germany: detailed “Tax Free” steps at the airport
When you shop in Germany, you pay Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt) – value added tax (VAT) – which is currently 19% on most goods and 7% on certain items such as books and some food products. Many visitors do not realise that non-EU residents can reclaim this VAT when leaving the country – a process widely known as “Tax Free”.
This article explains, step by step, how to legally and smoothly claim your VAT refund at German airports.
German law sets several conditions for VAT (Tax Free) refunds:
Residence outside the European Union:
This includes visitors from Arab countries, Asia, the Americas, Africa, etc.
Departure within 3 months from the date of purchase.
Purchases must be made in a German store that participates in the Tax Free system.
You must take the purchased goods with you personally when leaving Germany (in your checked or cabin baggage).
In principle, the VAT you paid in Germany (19% or 7%) is refundable.
However, refund operators such as Global Blue or Planet charge a service fee, which is deducted from your VAT amount.
In practice, you usually receive around 10%–13% of the total invoice amount (including VAT) back in your pocket.
When shopping, look for stores that display a “Tax Free” sign or ask the staff directly.
At the checkout, request a “Tax Free” form (also known as an Ausfuhrbescheinigung or Tax Refund Form).
The form should include:
your full name (as in your passport),
your passport number,
your address in your home country,
a description of the purchased items,
the invoice number,
the store’s stamp.
Note: For most providers, the minimum net purchase amount per invoice must be over 50 euros (excluding VAT) to be eligible for Tax Free.
Before checking in your baggage:
Go to the customs (Zoll) counter in the departure area of the airport.
Present the following:
your non-EU passport,
your flight ticket or boarding pass (proof of departure),
the purchased goods (preferably unused and in their original packaging),
the original Tax Free form together with the original invoice.
Important: Without the customs stamp (Zollstempel), you will not get your refund.
If the customs officer is satisfied with your documents and goods, they will place an official customs stamp on your Tax Free form.
Especially for high-value items (electronics, jewellery, watches), the officer may ask you to open your luggage and show the goods physically.
After obtaining the customs stamp:
Go to a Tax Refund counter for a company like Global Blue or Planet inside the airport.
You usually have two options:
Immediate cash refund (typically in euros, sometimes in other currencies), or
Refund to your bank account or credit card,
which usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to be processed.
If there is no open refund office at that time, you can often send the stamped original forms by post to the address indicated on the form, following the company’s instructions.
Arrive early at the airport:
The procedure may take extra time, especially at busy airports like Frankfurt or Munich.
Always keep original documents:
Keep both the original invoice and the original Tax Free form – not just copies.
Do not check in the goods before stamping:
Customs may want to see the goods before they are checked in.
If you have shopped at several different stores, you will normally need a separate Tax Free form for each invoice.
| Airport | Customs (Zoll) – typical location | Refund companies |
|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt (FRA) | Terminal 1, Hall B (usually before security) | Global Blue / Planet |
| Munich (MUC) | Terminal 2, Level 4, departure area | Global Blue |
| Berlin (BER) | Terminal 1, customs area (before departure gates) | Planet |
(Exact locations can change over time – if unsure, ask at the airport information desk.)
Without the official customs stamp (Zollstempel), refund companies will not accept your Tax Free application.
In rare exceptional cases, you might try contacting the German customs office afterwards and sending documentation, but in practice the chances of success are very low.
The Tax Free system in Germany is an excellent way for non-EU visitors to save a noticeable amount on their shopping expenses.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and follow the correct steps at the airport, you can legally reclaim a significant portion of the VAT you paid on your purchases before leaving Germany.
The writing and editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. However, errors or uncertainties may still occur. The content of this article should therefore be considered as an initial, non-binding guide only. For legally binding and up-to-date information, always consult the competent authorities.
