What Global Blue does and how it works
Global Blue is a company that processes VAT refunds for tourists who buy goods in participating countries and take them out of the EU, UK, or other VAT zones. You do not get the refund from the store or from the government directly — Global Blue collects your receipts, verifies your purchases, and sends the money to you through the method you choose.
The basic flow is this: you shop at a store that displays the Global Blue logo, ask for a refund form (called a Tax Free Form) at checkout, leave the country with your goods and paperwork, and then submit everything to Global Blue at the airport or online. Global Blue checks that your purchases meet the minimum spend, that you're a non-resident, and that the goods are leaving the country. If everything clears, they process your refund.
You do not need to sign up for an account beforehand. The refund is based on the receipts and forms you collect while shopping, not on registration with Global Blue.
Key Takeaways
- Global Blue refunds only work if you bought goods at stores displaying the Global Blue logo and received a Tax Free Form at the register.
- You must leave the VAT zone (EU, UK, Switzerland, etc.) with your unopened purchases to be refund-may be able to access, and you need to show both the goods and the paperwork at the airport or border.
- The minimum purchase amount varies by country and store, typically between €25 and €100 per receipt, and you can combine multiple receipts to reach the threshold.
- You can claim your refund at the airport before you leave, or submit your forms online after you return home, but airport processing is faster and more reliable.
- Global Blue sends refunds by bank transfer, credit card credit, or cash, depending on which method you selected and which country you're in.
Where to get a Tax Free Form when you shop
Not every store offers VAT refunds through Global Blue. Look for the Global Blue logo (a blue square with white lettering) displayed at the register or on the storefront. If you do not see it, the store does not participate in the program.
When you reach the checkout, tell the cashier you want a refund form. They will ask for your passport to confirm you are a non-resident of that country. Hand over your passport, and they will print a Tax Free Form and attach it to your receipt. Do not throw away the form — you need it to claim your refund later. Some stores may also ask you to sign the form at the register; others will leave that for the airport.
Keep the form and receipt together in a safe place. The form is only valid for a limited time (usually 3 to 6 months from the purchase date), so do not wait too long to process it.
Minimum purchase amounts and combining receipts
Each country sets its own minimum purchase threshold. In France, for example, the minimum is often €100 per receipt; in Spain it may be €90; in Italy it can be €155. These amounts change and vary by store, so ask the cashier what the minimum is before you buy.
If a single receipt does not reach the minimum, you can combine multiple receipts from the same store on the same day to meet the threshold. You cannot combine receipts from different stores or different days. If you shop at multiple Global Blue stores, each store's receipts are handled separately, and each must meet that store's minimum on its own.
The minimum applies to the pre-tax price of the goods. VAT is calculated on top of that, so your refund will be less than the full VAT amount shown on the receipt — Global Blue takes a processing fee, and the store may take a small cut as well.
Processing your refund at the airport
The fastest and most reliable way to claim your refund is at the airport before you leave the country. Go to the Global Blue Tax Free Refund desk or the customs counter. You will need your passport, your Tax Free Forms, your receipts, and the goods themselves (unopened and in their original packaging).
The customs officer or Global Blue staff member will inspect your purchases to confirm they are leaving the country and have not been used. They will stamp your forms. Then you can choose how to receive your refund: bank transfer, credit card credit, or cash. If you choose cash, you get it on the spot. If you choose bank transfer or credit card, you will receive it within 5 to 10 business days, though some banks take longer to process the deposit.
Processing at the airport takes 10 to 20 minutes per transaction, depending on how busy the desk is. Arrive early and go to the refund desk before you check in your luggage, because you need to show the goods to customs.
Submitting your refund online if you miss the airport
If you did not process your refund at the airport, you can submit your forms online through the Global Blue website. Log in or create an account, upload photos of your Tax Free Forms and receipts, and provide your refund method (bank account or credit card).
Online processing takes longer — typically 4 to 8 weeks — because Global Blue has to verify your documents by hand and may contact you if anything is unclear or missing. You also lose the option to receive cash; online refunds go only to bank transfer or credit card.
Keep your original forms and receipts even after you submit them online. Global Blue may ask you to mail them in if there are questions about your submission. Do not throw them away until the refund has arrived in your account.
What refund method to choose and how long to wait
Global Blue offers three refund methods, and the speed and reliability vary:
| Refund Method | How It Works | Timeline | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at airport | You receive euros or local currency immediately at the refund desk | Same day | You want money right away and are processing at the airport |
| Bank transfer | Global Blue sends money to your bank account; your bank may take additional time to deposit it | 5–10 business days from Global Blue, plus 1–3 days from your bank | You have an EU or international bank account and can wait |
| Credit card credit | Refund appears as a credit on the card you used to make the purchase | 5–10 business days from Global Blue, plus 1–3 days from your card issuer | You want to avoid bank transfer fees or your bank is slow |
If you choose cash at the airport, you receive the money in the local currency of the country you are leaving. If you are traveling to another country afterward, you can exchange it there, but exchange rates at airports are usually poor. Bank transfer and credit card are more predictable if you can wait.
What to do if your refund does not arrive
If you processed your refund at the airport and chose cash, you have nothing to worry about — you got the money on the spot. If you chose bank transfer or credit card and the refund has not arrived after 15 business days, contact Global Blue customer service with your receipt number and refund method. They can check the status and reissue the refund if it was lost.
If you submitted your refund online and have not heard back after 8 weeks, log into your Global Blue account and check the status of your submission. If it shows as pending, Global Blue may be waiting for additional documents from you — check your email (including spam) for any requests. If the status shows as approved but the money has not arrived, contact your bank or credit card company to confirm they received the transfer.
Keep your receipt number and the email confirmation Global Blue sends you. You will need both to track down a missing refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy at Global Blue stores, or can I get a refund from any store?
Only stores displaying the Global Blue logo participate in the program. Other stores may use different VAT refund companies (such as Planet, Innova, or others), and each company has its own process. Check the logo at the register before you shop if you want to use Global Blue specifically.
Can I use my refund form if I return to the same country later?
No. The form is only valid if you leave the VAT zone (EU, UK, Switzerland, etc.) with the goods. If you return to the same country or stay within the zone, you cannot claim the refund. The goods must physically leave the zone and not be brought back.
What if I open the package before I get to the airport?
The goods must be unopened and in original packaging to be refund-may be able to access. If you open a package, the customs officer can refuse to stamp your form, and Global Blue will not process the refund. Keep all purchases sealed until after you have cleared customs.
Can I combine receipts from different days to reach the minimum?
No. Receipts must be from the same store on the same day to be combined. If you shop at the same store on different days, each day's receipts are treated separately and must each meet the minimum on their own.
What happens if I lose my Tax Free Form?
If you lose the form but still have the receipt, contact Global Blue customer service with your receipt and passport details. They may be able to reissue the form or process the refund manually, but this takes longer and is not may provide. Keep your forms and receipts together from the moment you receive them.