Airport services

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VAT refund

Tax free: shopping before returning home? get VAT returned as well

Did you know that if you reside outside the European Union you are entitled to a refund of the VAT (Value Added Tax) paid on your purchases? Just request the tax free regime at stores and, on the day of departure, get everything taken care of at the airport. This way, you won't waste time with bureaucrac. You can fully enjoy your stay, as you only have to arrive at the airport a few minutes earlier to get everything ready in time for boarding.

Watch the video explaining the process to get the refund of your VAT.

Am I entitled to a VAT refund on any purchase?

No. VAT is only refundable on purchases that exceed a total of €50 per invoice (net of tax) and which are not being purchased for commercial purposes or for resale.

When you leave the European Union, you must be able to show that you are taking the goods with you in your personal baggage. This means that anything consumed here (such as hotel stays or meals in restaurants) or which you have already started using, does not qualify for a refund.

For more information, please read the leaflet from the Tax Authority.
Do I have to fill in any forms at the time of purchase?

No. Firstly, make sure that the shop participates in the tax refund scheme.

The sales assistant will ask you for your passport or other officially recognised and accepted document that proves you live outside the European Union, as well as asking you for some personal details.

When the transaction is complete, the sales assistant will give you your proof of purchase showing the respective registration code. Here, the form of the refund will be defined, if a guarantee has been provided.
What do I need to do at the airport?

To facilitate the verification process, we suggest that you put all of the goods into just one bag, if possible.

CHECKED BAGGAGE: Go to the check-in desk for your flight and tell the person on duty that you have items to declare. Next, go to an electronic terminal (kiosk), taking with you:

- Your passport or other identity document;

- Your boarding pass;

- The proof of purchase with registration code that you were given in the shop;

- The goods and corresponding invoices.

Follow the instructions at the kiosks, which will show:

Code Green: You can make your way to the handler's conveyor belt (Groundforce or Portway) or return to the check-in desk to check your bags. Next, go to the desk belonging to the VAT refund operator to receive your refund or put your validated form into one of the drums provided for the purpose.

Code Red: Go to the Customs desk.

HAND BAGGAGE: After going through security control, go to an electronic terminal (kiosk), taking with you:

- Your passport or other identity document;

- Your boarding pass;

- The proof of purchase with registration code that you were given in the shop;

- The goods and corresponding invoices.

Follow the instructions at the kiosks, which will show:

Code Green: Go to the desk belonging to the VAT refund operator to receive your refund or put your validated form into one of the drums provided for the purpose.

Code Red: You must go to the Customs desk.
How do I validate the forms at the electronic kiosks?

Hold your passport or identity document up to the kiosk's infra-red scanner. Next, scan your boarding pass.

The kiosk will show which tax-free forms are able to be validated. If you have any documents that are not able to be validated electronically, the kiosk will tell you to go to the desk.

Follow the instructions given at the kiosk and if you see Code Green, this means validation has been successful and you can go to one of the tax-free operators (indicated on your forms) to claim your refund. If you see Code Red, it means the conditions for exemption need to be verified and you must contact the Customs desk.

The person at the Customs desk will issue you with a certification of exemption, if applicable.

Watch the video explaining the process to get the refund of your VAT.
How do I receive the VAT return amount?

There are two ways to receive the refunded VAT paid on your purchases:

Immediate reimbursement – At the counter:
The refund operator will verify the validated form and process the payment, in cash, credit card or international cheque.

Retrospective reimbursement - Via the submission boxes:
The reimbursement operator collects the form from the submission box, verifies its validation and processes the payment via credit card or cheque (sent to your home address).

Operators at Lisbon Airport

Global Blue

Website:
Global Blue

Global Blue kiosk, in Terminal 1, in the restricted departures area, after the security check.

Global Blue self-refund kiosks, in Terminal 1, in the restricted departures area, next to customs, after the security check, and in Terminal 2, in the restricted area, after the security check.

Post Office collection boxes, in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, in the restricted departures area.