🇮🇹Bel Paese Trip Toolkit All tools
Money & Tax

IVA Refund Calculator

Non-EU tourists can claim back the Italian VAT (IVA) on purchases over €70 per store. The refund is 10-22% of the purchase price minus an admin fee. This tool tells you whether your purchase qualifies and how much you'll actually get back.

What this solves

You bought a €600 leather jacket in Florence. Can you claim the VAT back? Yes, if you're a non-EU resident and the purchase is over €70 at one store. The refund is up to 22% but the third-party refund service (Global Blue, Planet) takes 30-50% as commission. You might get €50-80 back. This tool calculates the realistic refund.

Calculate

Eligibility checklist

Residency: Non-EU resident. EU residents don't qualify. Verify with your passport.
Minimum: €70 including VAT per store, per receipt. Below this, no refund.
Goods: Tangible goods for personal use or gifts. Services (hotel, restaurant) don't qualify.
Export: Goods must leave EU within 90 days of purchase. Customs verifies at airport.
Original receipt: Store must provide a "tax-free" receipt or invoice. Ask before paying.

How to claim

  1. At the store: Ask for "tax-free shopping" or "detassazione." They'll scan your passport and provide a tax-free form.
  2. At the airport: Before checking luggage, go to the customs office with your goods, receipt, and passport. They stamp the form.
  3. At the refund counter: Present stamped form at a Global Blue / Planet / Travel Tax Free counter. Refund by card or cash.
  4. Allow time: Customs + refund counter takes 20-40 min. Arrive at the airport 1 hour earlier than usual.

How to read the result

  1. The full VAT is what the store collected.
  2. The net refund is what you actually get back, after the refund service takes its commission.
  3. The effective refund rate tells you the percentage of your purchase you recover.

Limitations

  • Refund services charge 30-50% of the VAT as commission. The "22% refund" you read on the sign is theoretical.
  • Some stores offer "no VAT added" pricing if they advertise IVA-free pricing (mostly tourist-jewelry and luxury).
  • Customs doesn't always refund everything. They may flag items as personal use or commercial export.
  • Refund times vary by method: card refund 2-4 weeks; cash immediate but with extra commission.

FAQ

Is the refund worth the hassle?

For purchases under €200, usually not — the commission eats most of it. For purchases over €500, definitely — €30-80 back is worth 20 min at the airport.

Can I claim on multiple small purchases?

Not across stores. Each store must have €70+ minimum on a single receipt. Multiple stores = multiple claims.

Sources

Agenzia delle Entrate IVA refund rules (agenziaentrate.gov.it); Global Blue and Planet refund service terms 2024-2026.