What the French VAT refund is and who can get it

France's VAT refund, called détaxe or remboursement de TVA, lets non-EU visitors recover the value-added tax they paid on purchases made in French shops. When you buy something in France, the price includes VAT at 20% (the standard rate). If you live outside the EU and take your purchases out of France within three months, you can reclaim that tax at the airport or border before you leave.

The refund applies only to goods, not services. You cannot reclaim VAT on hotel stays, restaurant meals, or haircuts. The shop must be a participating retailer — most department stores and tourist-area boutiques are, but small independent shops may not be. You must also meet a minimum purchase threshold, which is €100 in a single shop on a single day (this amount varies slightly by retailer).

EU residents cannot use this refund. If you live in any EU country, including France, you pay VAT as a resident and have no right to reclaim it as a visitor. The refund exists specifically because non-EU visitors cannot reclaim VAT through their home country's tax system the way residents can.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-EU visitors can reclaim VAT (currently 20%) on goods purchased in France if they spend at least €100 in a single shop on one day.
  • You must request a tax refund form (bordereau de détaxe) from the shop at the time of purchase, not after you leave France.
  • Refunds are processed at French airports, seaports, or land borders before you exit the EU, and you must show your purchases and passport.
  • You receive your refund as cash, a credit to your credit card, or a bank transfer, depending on which method the refund company offers.
  • The refund takes several weeks to process if you choose bank transfer, but cash refunds at the airport happen on the spot.

How to request a refund form at the shop

When you make a purchase that meets the €100 minimum, tell the shop staff you want a VAT refund. They will give you a bordereau de détaxe (tax refund form) — this is the only document that matters. You must complete it at the shop before you leave, not later. The form asks for your name, passport number, home address, and signature. The shop stamps it and keeps a copy.

Do not leave the shop without this form. Without it, you have no proof of purchase and no way to reclaim the tax. Some shops will try to mail you the form later if you forget, but this rarely works because you need it at the border to process the refund.

Keep your receipt and your purchases together. You will need to show both the goods and the bordereau when you leave France. Pack items in carry-on luggage if possible, or keep them easily accessible in checked bags — customs officers may ask to see them.

Where and when to process your refund

You process your refund at the airport, seaport, or land border where you exit France or the EU. Major airports like Paris Charles de Gaulle, Nice, and Lyon all have refund desks. If you are driving to another EU country, you can process the refund at the French border. If you are flying out of another EU country after visiting France, you must process the refund in France before you leave, not at your final departure airport.

Go to the refund desk (look for signs saying "Tax Refund", "Détaxe", or the name of the refund company operating there — common ones are Global Blue, Planet, and Refund) before you check in for your flight or pass through passport control. Have your passport, bordereau forms, receipts, and purchases ready. The staff will scan your forms, verify your purchases match the receipts, and stamp your bordereau.

Processing takes 10 to 15 minutes per transaction. If you have multiple forms from different shops, each one is processed separately. Arrive at the airport with extra time — refund desks can have queues, especially during peak travel seasons.

How you receive your refund money

After your bordereau is stamped and processed, you choose how to receive your refund: cash on the spot, a credit to your credit card, or a bank transfer to your home bank account. Cash refunds happen immediately at the desk. Card refunds take 5 to 10 business days. Bank transfers take 2 to 4 weeks and require you to provide your account details at the desk.

The refund amount is not the full 20% VAT. The refund company deducts a commission (usually 2% to 4% of the refund) for processing. So on a €100 purchase with €20 VAT, you might receive €16 to €18 back, depending on the company and method. Cash refunds typically have a higher commission than card or bank refunds.

If you choose a bank transfer and do not receive the money within 4 weeks, contact the refund company directly. You will find their contact details on your stamped bordereau. Keep a copy of the stamped form and your receipt — you may need them to follow up.

What happens if you forget to get a refund form at the shop

If you leave France without a bordereau, you cannot reclaim the VAT. The refund system requires the form to be stamped at the border; without it, there is no record of your purchase or proof that you are a non-EU visitor taking goods out of the country. Some shops will mail you a form if you contact them within a few days, but this rarely leads to a successful refund because you cannot have it stamped at the border after you have already left.

The only exception is if you purchased from a shop that uses a mail-in refund service. A few high-end retailers offer this, but it is uncommon and requires the shop to initiate the process. Ask at the time of purchase whether they offer mail-in refunds if you think you might forget the form.

VAT refunds for online purchases and shipped goods

Online purchases shipped to your home address outside the EU may may have access to for VAT refund, but the process is different and depends on the retailer. Some French online shops automatically remove VAT at checkout if you provide a non-EU address. Others charge VAT and require you to request a refund after purchase by providing proof of your non-EU residency.

Goods shipped directly to you do not go through the border refund process. Instead, you work with the retailer or their refund service to reclaim VAT by mail. This takes longer — typically 4 to 8 weeks — and requires documentation like your passport copy and proof of delivery outside the EU. Not all retailers offer this option, so check their refund policy before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a VAT refund if I am an EU citizen living outside the EU?

Yes. The refund is based on where you live, not your citizenship. If your home address is outside the EU, you can reclaim VAT as a visitor, even if you hold an EU passport. You will need to show your passport and provide a non-EU address on the refund form.

What if I buy something in France but leave the EU through another country?

You must process your refund in France before you leave, not at your final departure airport. Go to the refund desk at the French airport or border where you exit France. If you are driving to another EU country, use the refund desk at the French border.

Do I have to pay VAT upfront, or can I avoid it at checkout?

You pay the full price including VAT at the shop. The refund happens later at the border. Some large retailers can issue a refund at the shop itself if you ask, but this is rare and only available in certain stores. Most refunds are processed at the airport or border.

What if the refund company goes out of business before I receive my money?

This is rare but possible. If you chose a bank transfer and the company closes, contact your bank and the retailer where you made the purchase. Keep your stamped bordereau and receipt as proof. The retailer may be able to help you recover the refund through another channel.

Can I get a refund if I return to France after leaving?

No. The refund must be processed when you exit France or the EU. Once you have left, you cannot go back to a refund desk to process an old bordereau. If you plan to return to France later, process your refund before your first departure.