Airport Tax Refund (Schiphol)

Many tourists (and not only tourists) have the question of how to get back the VAT they paid when buying goods in the NL. Almost everyone knows that this is possible, but few know how.

It is not difficult to do this if several conditions are met, and the tax refund itself can be obtained through intermediaries directly at the airport.

Conditions for receiving a refund

• You permanently reside outside the EU
• Your expenses were at least 50 euros in one store or per day
• You take your purchases home unopened and within 90 days from the date of purchase

You can get a refund at the airport through various organizations such as:

Global Blue or GWK Travelex.

• С Global Blue many European shops cooperate;
• GWK Travelex is the agent of three different tax refund partners: Premier Tax Free, Easy Tax Freeи Innova Tax Freewith which the stores also cooperate.

To find out if a store cooperates with a particular tax refund partner company, you can check the website of the corresponding company, look at the store entrance to see if there is a logo of this company or ask at the checkout when making a purchase.

What do I need to do to request a VAT refund?

Firstly, remember that everyone will need to get to two or more working counters of partner companies, so allow for more time and arrive at the airport in advance on the day of departure.

1. In the store, when buying, ask for a special form

Affiliated stores have tax free forms at the checkout. Ask for such a form when placing your order. Fill it out and attach the original receipt. Take all the papers with you to Schiphol. Since not all stores are affiliated with the same tax refund company, you may have to fill out several of these forms.

2. Get customs stamps at the airport

With the completed taxfree form and the original receipt attached, go to the customs desk in the departure hall No. 3. After verification and confirmation, your form will be stamped. It is required for VAT refunds from a partner company.

If you are a transfer passenger or carry your purchases in carry-on baggage, you can also request a tax refund at the customs desk in Departures Hall 3.

Don't forget: at the customs desk you will need your passport, boarding pass, a completed taxfree form, and your purchases. So keep them close at hand.

3. Go to the required return counter and get your money

Now, with all the required documents and stamps, go to the counter of the tax refund partner company that works with the store (s) where your purchases were made. For example, Global Blue and GWK Travelex have a counter next to the customs counter in Departures Hall 3 and Lounge 3. You can get VAT refund on your credit card or in cash in your preferred currency.

In case you are in a hurry or have already passed the control, you can lower the completely filled in and stamped forms into a special mailbox. You will find it next to the customs counter in Departures No. 3 and in Lobby No. 3. The money will be automatically transferred to your credit card within a few weeks.

These links show opening hours and locations. Global blue, GWK Travelexin Schiphol.

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