What Global Blue does and how to start a refund

Global Blue is a company that processes VAT refunds for tourists and visitors in Europe, Asia, and other regions. When you shop in a participating store and leave the country, Global Blue handles the paperwork to send your VAT money back. You do not work directly with the government—Global Blue collects your forms, verifies them at the airport or border, and pays you through your chosen method.

The process starts in the store. When you buy something, tell the cashier you want a VAT refund form. They will give you a Tax Free Form (also called a refund form or shopping receipt) and attach it to your receipt. You keep this form until you leave the country. Global Blue's job is to stamp and process it once you have left.

You can only get a refund on goods you take out of the country with you—not on services, meals, or hotel stays. The minimum purchase amount varies by country and store, typically between €25 and €100. Check the store receipt or ask the cashier what the threshold is.

Key Takeaways

  • Ask for a Tax Free Form at the register when you buy something; the store fills out most of it and you keep the form with your receipt.
  • You must have the form stamped by customs or Global Blue at the airport or border before you leave the country, or the refund will not process.
  • Global Blue pays refunds by bank transfer, credit card, or cash at airport kiosks, depending on which method you choose and which airport you use.
  • Refunds take 4 to 12 weeks to arrive if you choose bank transfer; cash and credit card refunds are instant at the airport.
  • Keep your receipts and forms together until the refund arrives, because Global Blue may ask for proof if there is a delay.

Getting your form stamped at the airport or border

The Tax Free Form is worthless without an official stamp. You must have it stamped by customs or a Global Blue representative before you leave the country. This is the step most people miss, and it is why refunds do not arrive.

At the airport, go to the customs desk or the Global Blue office (if the airport has one) before you check in your luggage. Have your form, receipt, and the goods with you—customs may ask to see what you bought. They will stamp the form to confirm you are taking the items out of the country. Some airports have a dedicated tax refund desk; ask at information if you cannot find it.

If you are leaving by train, ferry, or car, look for a customs office at the border or train station. Not all borders have one, so check before you travel. If there is no customs office at your exit point, some Global Blue locations can stamp forms, but this is less common and varies by country.

Do not throw away the form or leave it in the store. If you do not get it stamped, Global Blue cannot process the refund, and you will not get your money back.

How to receive your refund: cash, card, or bank transfer

After customs stamps your form, you have three main ways to get your money back. The method you choose depends on what the airport offers and how quickly you need the money.

Cash refund at the airport: Many airports have Global Blue kiosks where you can turn in your stamped form and get cash on the spot. This is the fastest option—you walk away with money immediately. The downside is that Global Blue takes a small fee (usually 2 to 4 percent) for instant cash. Look for the Global Blue counter or tax refund kiosk after you pass through customs.

Credit or debit card refund: You can have the refund credited back to the card you used to buy the items. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days and has a smaller fee than cash. Ask Global Blue or the airport desk which cards they accept.

Bank transfer: This is the cheapest option because Global Blue takes the smallest fee, but it is the slowest. You provide your bank account details on the form, and the refund arrives in 4 to 12 weeks. If you are not in a hurry and want to keep the full amount, choose this method.

If you do not process the refund at the airport, you can mail the stamped form to Global Blue, but this adds time and the form may get lost. It is better to handle it before you leave.

What happens if you forget to get the form stamped

If you leave the country without having customs stamp your form, Global Blue cannot process the refund. The stamp is proof that you took the goods out of the country, and without it, the refund is denied.

Some people try to mail the form to Global Blue after they get home and ask them to process it anyway. Global Blue will usually reject it because the form was not stamped at the border. A few airports or Global Blue offices may accept a late stamp if you contact them within a few days and can prove you left the country, but this is rare and not may provide.

The best protection is to build in extra time at the airport. Arrive early, find the customs or Global Blue desk, and get the stamp before you do anything else. It takes five minutes and saves you from losing the refund.

Tracking your refund and what to do if it does not arrive

If you chose a bank transfer or card refund, Global Blue will give you a reference number on the stamped form. Write this down or take a photo. You can use this number to track your refund on the Global Blue website.

Go to globalblue.com and look for the refund tracking tool. Enter your reference number and the amount, and the system will show you the status. Most refunds show as "processed" within a few days of the stamp, then move to "in transit" as the money travels to your bank.

If your refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe (5 to 10 days for card, 4 to 12 weeks for bank transfer), contact Global Blue customer service. Have your reference number, receipt, and the date you left the country ready. They may ask you to send a photo of the stamped form or your passport to verify the transaction.

Refunds can be delayed if the form was filled out incorrectly, if your bank account details were wrong, or if the customs stamp is unclear. Global Blue will tell you what the problem is and ask you to provide corrected information.

Stores and countries that work with Global Blue

Global Blue operates in most European countries, plus the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and a few others. Not every store participates, but most major retailers, department stores, and tourist shops do. Look for the Global Blue logo in the window or ask the cashier if they offer tax refunds.

The VAT rate and minimum purchase amount vary by country. For example, France has a 20 percent VAT rate with a €100 minimum, while Spain has 21 percent VAT with a €90 minimum. The store will tell you the minimum when you ask for the form.

Some countries have other refund companies besides Global Blue—for example, Planet, Innova, or Tax Free Worldwide. The process is similar: you get a form in the store, have it stamped at the border, and choose how to receive your money. If a store uses a different company, ask them how their process works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I buy something and ship it home instead of taking it with me?

No. VAT refunds are only for goods you physically take out of the country. If you ship something home, it does not count as an export, and Global Blue will not process the refund. You must have the items with you when customs stamps the form.

What if the airport does not have a Global Blue kiosk?

Look for a customs desk or general tax refund counter—they can stamp your form even if Global Blue is not there. After that, you can mail the stamped form to Global Blue or contact them to arrange a refund by bank transfer. Mailing takes longer and the form may get lost, so ask the customs officer for the best option.

Do I have to choose the refund method at the store, or can I decide at the airport?

You decide at the airport or border when you have the form stamped. The store does not lock you into one method. When you reach the customs desk or Global Blue kiosk, tell them whether you want cash, card, or bank transfer, and they will process it that way.

How much money do I actually get back after Global Blue's fee?

Global Blue's fee is usually 2 to 4 percent for cash, smaller for card refunds, and smallest for bank transfers. The exact fee depends on the country and refund method. The store receipt or form will show the VAT amount; subtract Global Blue's fee to see what you will receive. Bank transfer gives you the most money because the fee is lowest.

Can I get a refund if I bought something more than a month ago?

The form must be stamped before you leave the country, regardless of when you bought the item. If you bought something weeks ago and kept the receipt and form, you can still get a refund as long as you have the original Tax Free Form and you stamp it at the border before you leave. After you leave the country, it is too late.