What Global Blue Does and How to Claim

Global Blue is a refund service that handles VAT refunds for shoppers in Europe and other countries. When you buy goods in a participating store and leave the country within a set time, you can reclaim the VAT (value-added tax) you paid. Global Blue processes these refunds either at airport tax refund desks, through their mobile app, or by mail — you do not go back to the store or contact the tax authority yourself.

The process starts in the store. When you make a purchase, ask the cashier for a tax refund form (also called a VAT refund form or export form). The store fills in the item details, price, and VAT amount. You keep this form and your receipt. Then, before you leave the country, you present the form and goods to Global Blue at an airport, port, or train station refund desk, or you use their app to photograph and submit the form. Global Blue verifies the purchase, stamps or scans the form, and processes your refund.

Key Takeaways

  • Ask for a tax refund form at the register in any participating store — the store must provide it, and you need it to claim your money back.
  • You must leave the country and present the goods and form to Global Blue before your departure, or use their app to submit photos within the required timeframe.
  • Refunds arrive by the method you choose: cash at the airport desk, credit to your card, or bank transfer, with timelines ranging from immediate to several weeks.
  • The minimum purchase amount varies by country and store, typically between €25 and €100, so check before you shop.
  • Keep your receipt and form together — if either is missing or damaged, Global Blue may not process your refund.

Getting the Tax Refund Form at the Store

Not every store participates in Global Blue, but most major retailers in airports, city centers, and shopping districts do. When you reach the checkout, tell the cashier you want a tax refund form. They will ask for your passport to confirm you are not a resident of that country. Hand over your passport, and they will fill in the form with your name, passport number, purchase details, and the VAT amount.

The form comes in two or three parts. You keep one copy, the store keeps one, and Global Blue receives one. Do not lose your copy — you need it to claim the refund. Some stores also give you a receipt that lists the items and VAT separately; keep this too. If the cashier says the store does not use Global Blue, ask which refund service they use instead, because the process is similar but the company name and desk location will differ.

The minimum purchase amount that qualifies for a refund varies. In France, Spain, and Italy, it is often €100 or more in a single transaction. In Germany and Austria, it may be €50. Some stores set their own higher minimums. Ask the cashier what the threshold is before you buy, especially if you are close to the amount.

Presenting Your Form and Goods Before You Leave

You must show your goods and form to Global Blue before you exit the country. At most major airports, Global Blue has a dedicated tax refund desk in the departure hall, usually near the check-in counters or in a central location. At smaller airports, the desk may be in the duty-free area or near security. Train stations and ferry ports sometimes have desks too; check Global Blue's website for locations in your departure city.

Bring your passport, the tax refund form, your receipt, and the goods themselves — still in their original packaging and unused. The staff will inspect the items to confirm they match the form, then stamp or scan the form. This takes a few minutes. If you bought multiple items from different stores, you will need a separate form for each store, and each one must be verified.

If you cannot reach a desk before departure — for example, if you are flying from a small airport with no Global Blue presence — you can use Global Blue's mobile app instead. Download the app, photograph both sides of the form and your receipt, and submit them within 30 days of purchase. Global Blue will review the photos and process your refund if everything is clear and legible.

How to Receive Your Refund

At the desk, you choose how you want your money back. The options are cash, credit to your debit or credit card, or bank transfer. Cash is the fastest — you get it on the spot, though the amount may be slightly less because Global Blue deducts a processing fee (usually 3 to 5 percent). Card refunds take 5 to 10 business days and also carry a fee. Bank transfer is the slowest but often has the lowest fee; it can take 2 to 4 weeks.

If you submitted your form through the app, you will receive your refund only by card or bank transfer, not cash. The timeline is the same: 5 to 10 business days for card, 2 to 4 weeks for bank transfer. Global Blue will send you a confirmation email with a reference number so you can track the refund.

Check your card or bank account using the reference number Global Blue gives you. If the refund does not arrive within the stated timeframe, contact Global Blue's customer service with your reference number and receipt. Processing delays sometimes happen, especially during busy travel seasons.

What Happens If You Forget the Form or Lose It

If you did not ask for a form at the store, you cannot claim the refund through Global Blue after you leave. The form must be issued at the point of sale, and stores do not issue backdated forms. If you realize this after you have left the country, you have no recourse with Global Blue.

If you have the form but lost your receipt, Global Blue may still process the refund if the form itself is complete and legible. However, some stores and countries require both documents. If you lost both, contact the store directly with your credit card statement or passport to ask if they can reissue copies. This is slow and not may provide to work.

If your form is damaged or the ink is smudged so the details are not readable, Global Blue will reject it. Take photos of the form immediately after you receive it, before it gets wet or worn. If the form becomes damaged before you reach the desk, ask the store for a replacement form on the same day if possible.

Minimum Purchases and Country-Specific Rules

The VAT rate and minimum purchase threshold differ by country. In France, the standard VAT is 20 percent, and the minimum is usually €100. In Spain, VAT is 21 percent with a €90 minimum. Germany has 19 percent VAT and a €50 minimum. Italy is 22 percent with a €155 minimum. These amounts and rates change, so check Global Blue's website or ask the store before you shop.

Some countries have lower VAT rates for certain goods — for example, books or food in some places. These items may not be refundable, or the refund may be smaller. Ask the cashier if you are unsure whether a specific item qualifies.

You must be a non-resident of the country where you are shopping. If you live in France, you cannot claim a VAT refund on purchases in France, even if you are leaving the country. Global Blue checks your passport to confirm residency.

Tracking Your Refund and Troubleshooting Delays

After you submit your form at the desk or through the app, Global Blue sends you a confirmation email with a reference number. Use this number to track your refund on Global Blue's website. Enter the reference number and your email address, and the site will show you the status: submitted, approved, processing, or completed.

If your refund shows as "submitted" for more than two weeks, or if it does not appear in your account after the stated timeframe, contact Global Blue's customer service. Have your reference number, receipt, and passport number ready. Common reasons for delays are incomplete forms, unclear photos (if you used the app), or processing backlogs during peak travel times.

If Global Blue denies your refund, they will send you a reason — usually a missing signature, an illegible form, or goods that do not match the description on the form. If you believe the denial is wrong, reply to the email with additional photos or documents and ask for a review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Global Blue, or can I use a different refund service?

The store chooses which refund service to use, not you. Most large retailers use Global Blue, but some use competitors like Premier Tax Free or Innova. The process is nearly identical — you ask for a form at checkout, present it before you leave the country, and choose your refund method. Check the form to see which company is processing it.

Can I claim a refund if I am flying out of a small airport with no Global Blue desk?

Yes. Use Global Blue's mobile app to photograph and submit your form and receipt within 30 days of purchase. The refund will be credited to your card or bank account rather than given as cash, and it will take longer — typically 2 to 4 weeks.

What if I bought items in multiple countries?

You can claim refunds from each country separately. Collect a form from each store, and present all of them at the Global Blue desk in your final departure country, or submit them through the app. Each form is processed independently, and you will receive separate refunds for each country.

Will I get the full VAT amount back?

No. Global Blue deducts a processing fee, usually 3 to 5 percent of the refund amount. The fee is lower if you choose bank transfer instead of cash or card. For example, if your VAT refund is €100 and you choose cash, you might receive €96 or €97 after the fee.

How long do I have to claim the refund after I buy something?

You must present your form to Global Blue or submit it through the app before you leave the country, or within 30 days of purchase if you use the app. After 30 days, Global Blue will not process the claim. If you are leaving the country more than 30 days after your purchase, you must use the app and submit it before the 30-day window closes.