Who's eligible for VAT refund
Non-EU residents only. UK travelers (post-Brexit) are eligible. EU residents are NOT eligible. You must be exporting the goods within 3 months of purchase.
What qualifies
- Minimum purchase: €50 in a single transaction at one shop.
- Must be tangible goods (clothing, jewelry, ceramics, leather, electronics).
- Restaurant meals, hotels, and services are NOT eligible.
- Goods must be unused and accompanied by the original tax-free form.
The 4-step process
- At the shop: Tell the cashier you want a tax-free form ("Global Blue" is most common, "Planet" is the alternative). Show your passport. Get a printed form attached to the receipt.
- At Athens airport (before checking in): Go to the customs desk in the departure hall. Show passport, ticket, original receipt, AND the unused goods. Get the form stamped. NOTE: Do this BEFORE checking baggage if items are in checked luggage.
- Get your refund: After security, find the Global Blue (or Planet) refund desk. Hand in stamped forms. Choose: cash refund (3% fee, paid in EUR) or credit-card refund (no fee, takes 3-6 weeks).
- Confirmation: Keep the receipt of submission. If you don't get the credit-card refund within 6 weeks, contact Global Blue with your reference number.