Getting Started with Tax Free Shopping
Eligibility
Invoices
Your refund
Customs & Departure Procedures
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Tax Free shopping allows international travelers to reclaim the VAT/GST included in goods purchased abroad when exported back home.
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a consumption tax included in the price of goods. Non-residents can reclaim it when exporting items purchased abroad.
GST (Goods and Services Tax) is similar to VAT but is used in some countries like Canada and Australia. Both taxes can often be reclaimed by tourists.
This is the minimum amount you must spend to qualify for a refund. It varies by country and ensures you meet eligibility criteria. Minimum spend amount in supported countries:
In 🇧🇪 Belgium: €125.01
In 🇦🇹 Austria: €75.01
In 🇪🇸 Spain: €0.01
Yes! You can upload multiple invoices or receipts with handwritten Inovat details from the same country and trip — our platform will combine them to help you qualify for the minimum spend requirement.
When shopping, there are two ways to collect the required documents:
1. Normal Receipt Method
Receive the standard receipt from the store.
Handwrite Inovat's company name, address, and VAT number on the receipt.
Take a photo of the receipt and upload it to the app.
The rest of the process is the same as with an invoice.
2. Invoice Method
Ask the store staff to issue an "Invoice in the name of Inovat."
The invoice must include store name, address, purchase details, and VAT.
Upload the invoice to the app.
Validation Procedure
Download the tax refund form or access the QR code version in the app.
At the airport or border, present your passport, boarding pass, purchased goods, tax refund form, and receipt or invoice to customs staff or at a self-service kiosk.
Refunds are usually processed within 24 hours.
Yes! Just follow this process and ensure the invoice includes the required details, otherwise, we will not be able to accept simple order confirmations.
No ⚠️ — Do not request a "tax refund" directly in the store. Instead, use one of the two valid methods:
Invoice method: Show the app's pop-up screen and request an invoice in the name of Inovat with the required details. Stores are legally obliged to issue this upon request.
Receipt method: If the store only provides a regular receipt, you can handwrite Inovat's details on it, and it will still be valid for your refund claim.
It is not permitted to claim VAT refunds through multiple providers, and if you request a refund directly from the store, your Inovat refund cannot be processed.
No, you don't need to carry your passport with you. You can either:
Ask the shop assistant to issue an invoice with the required Inovat details, or
If you only receive a regular receipt, you can handwrite the Inovat details (company name, address, VAT number) on it, and it will also be valid.
Countries
🇧🇪 Belgium
🇦🇹 Austria
🇪🇸 Spain
Stores
In any retail or online stores registered in Belgium, Austria, mainland Spain or the Balearic Islands.
Non-Residents: If you live outside the country and plan to take your purchases home, you can typically claim a refund.
Short Stays: You must be visiting for less than six months and take your purchases home within three months of buying them.
Traveling to the EU?
You must live outside the European Union (EU).
Visit the EU country offering Tax Free services for less than six months.
Depart to a non-EU country within three months of your purchase date, taking your goods with you.
Required Documents
Non-EU Passports: Only your passport is needed, unless we or Customs ask for more.
EU Passports: You'll need proof that you live outside the EU (e.g., residence permit, work permit of another country). However, acceptance can vary by us or Customs.
Unused goods in their original packaging that you carry with you when leaving the country. To see which items qualify, check the country-specific refund guide in our app.
After logging in, you can find the guides right on the homepage and inside your trip page once you've created a trip.
Physical items like clothing, electronics, and luxury products usually qualify. Services and restricted goods such as alcohol and tobacco often don't. For the full list, please check the country-specific refund guides in our app.
Usually these items are eligible if unused and in original packaging. Make sure to verify the rules for your destination in the refund guide you find in our app.
No, Tax Free shopping applies only to physical goods, not services.
Export certificates may be needed for certain items like exotic leather goods to confirm legal export.
Not all stores participate in Tax Free programs, but you can still claim a tax refund for your purchases from any store using our app. Simply ask for an invoice with required details or write them with a pen on a regular receipt.
Yes, as long as the goods are exported and meet the eligibility criteria.
Customs often require items to be in original packaging for inspection.
No, used items typically do not qualify for tax refunds.
No, duty-free items are not eligible for VAT refunds as they are already tax-exempt.
🇦🇹 Austria
Company Name: Inovat Digital Tax Refund GmbH
Address: Am Gestade 3/1E, 1010 Vienna, Austria
VAT: ATU78976208
🇧🇪 Belgium
Company Name: Inovat BV
Address: Rue de la Colonne 1A, 1080, Brussels, Belgium
VAT: BE0778.288.012
🇪🇸 Spain
Company Name: Inovat Tax, S.L.
Address: Carrer de Calàbria, 149, Entresòl, 1a
VAT: B13888250
Ask for invoice: Right before paying, show the pop-up message on our platform with the invoice details.
No extra explanations needed: By law, stores must provide an invoice upon request. Simply ask for a "domestic invoice with VAT."
Avoid confusion: Don't ask for "Tax Free" in-store—staff might try to create their own tax-free form.
Manual entry: If necessary, you can fill out the invoice details yourself with the correct company information.
Follow your country-specific guide in the app for more guidance.
To request an invoice when you shop online:
Add the Right Billing Address
In the payment section, enter the required invoice details under "Billing Address." If there's a "Company" field, use it. If not, try:
First Name: Inovat
Last Name: [Country of Your Travel]
Ask for Help
If you can't fill it out yourself, simply reach out to the store's customer support and request an invoice.
Avoid Delivery Mix-Ups
Double-check that you're only using our details for billing, not delivery, so your items don't end up at our office.
Upload Your Invoice
Once your invoice is issued, upload it to the platform. You're all set!
Yes, we can accept your invoice or receipt, if it includes all the required details: 1. Store name; 2. Store address; 3. Date of purchase; 4. Item purchased; 5. Receipt number; 6. VAT amount / rate; 7. Total amount (incl. VAT); 8. Store VAT number.
Yes, to process your Tax Free refund, please upload a valid original store receipt that includes all the required details: 1. Store name; 2. Store address; 3. Date of purchase; 4. Item purchased; 5. Receipt number; 6. VAT amount / rate; 7. Total amount (incl. VAT); 8. Store VAT number.
Identification of the store (name and address)
Date
Invoice number
Description of each item
VAT rate and total amount
Identification of the buyer (use required name, address and VAT)
When you upload a picture of the invoice to our app, follow these simple rules:
Take a good quality picture of your invoice.
All mentions must be clearly readable.
All 4 edges of the invoice must be visible.
One page = one picture.
As soon as possible. Preferably on the date of the purchase (especially during peak periods such as after Christmas and during the summer holiday).
Yes, but they must be validated with a company stamp from the shop.
Verification time depends on the traffic on our platform.
It can be as short as a couple of minutes/hours but it can sometimes take longer.
No worries, we keep your date of departure in sight and will verify your invoices in time.
We use advanced encryption and secure servers to protect your personal and financial information.
Create your trip in the app: enter your destination country, travel dates, and departure point.
When shopping, ask the store for an invoice with the required details.
Upload photos of your invoices to the platform.
Download your Tax Refund Form or access the QR code version in the app.
At the airport or border, bring the following items to a customs officer or at a self-service kiosk:
- Passport
- Boarding pass
- Purchased goods
- Tax Refund Form (QR code or printed)
- InvoicesGet your refund — usually within 24 hours!
A customs-approved document confirming your eligibility for a refund.
Once either the invoice or a receipt with handwritten Inovat details, along with your ID/residence permit documents, are approved, you will receive the tax refund form in the app.
At tax refund counters or self-service kiosks at the airport. Refer to our country-specific guide for more instructions.
No, our digital platform eliminates the need for mailing forms.
Once you scan the QR code/upload your stamped Tax Free Refund Form, we will instantly send you the refund to the payment details you provided, and it's on the way. The rest is up to your bank, but usually you will receive it in 24h.
To complete the process, you'll need:
A valid ID (passport or residence permit)
Invoices from your purchases
A validated tax refund form (automatically generated by our platform, requires you to validate at the departure at customs or a self-service kiosk)
Boarding pass
Credit card or bank details for the refund
Usually you will receive it within 24 hours after the customs check.
There may be some insignificant delays during peak season.
Your refund is guaranteed once you successfully pass customs check at the border.
On average 80-85% of VAT. Example: if your combined purchases amount is € 1,500 VAT included, then with 20% VAT rate the VAT is € 250 and you get € 200,00.
Our refund is about 60% higher compared to the refund of other providers.
We offer some of the lowest fees in the industry - we give you back up to 85% of your VAT.
The refund amount shown in the app is the exact amount Inovat transfer. However, depending on your bank's processing policies, a fee may be deducted before the funds appear in your account.
Refunds can be processed in 32+ currencies, depending on your preference and location.
Yes, but you'll need to follow each country's specific process and requirements, which you can find in our app.
You need to get your Tax-Free Refund Form validated in the country where you officially leave the EU. So even if you've spent time in another EU country before that, only validate your form at customs in the country where you exit the EU. Make sure to print your Tax-Free Refund Form and bring it to customs to get it stamped when you leave.
For items bought elsewhere in the EU, you must manually present and have your forms or invoices stamped by customs officials when leaving the EU at a port, airport, or border point.
No. To receive your VAT refund, you must upload your receipts to the app at least 24 hours before your departure and validate your refund form before leaving the country where you shopped.
If you shopped in the EU, you must validate your refund form at a refund kiosk located at the airport of your last exit point from the EU.
If you shopped in a non-EU country, you must validate your refund form at a refund kiosk at the airport before departing that country.
You'll need to validate your refund form at the customs office or a self-service kiosk. Refer to your country-specific guide in the app for step-by-step instructions.
At the border, have these ready:
Passport
Boarding pass
Purchased goods
Tax Refund Form (QR code or printed version)
📌 Tip: In rare cases, digital validation may not work. We recommend printing your refund form and saving the QR code just in case — especially if internet access is limited.
Arrive at least 3 hours before your flight to ensure enough time. Please arrive at least 3 hours before your flight to make sure you have enough time to validate your documents and get your refund processed smoothly.
Your boarding pass serves as proof that you're departing the country and exporting the goods.
A photo serves as proof of validation in case of disputes or system errors.
In some cases, a store may not be able to issue an invoice with the required details (due to staff shortage, store procedure, or refusal). In such cases, you can still use the receipt method.
In-store purchase
Collect the normal receipt from the store.
Handwrite Inovat's company name, address, and VAT number on it.
Take a photo and upload it under the invoice upload tab in the app.
Online purchase
If an invoice is issued in your name for the order, print it.
If needed, handwrite the required Inovat details on it.
Take a photo and upload it under the invoice upload tab in the app.
You need to contact the store and request a reissue of the receipt or invoice. One of these documents with Inovat's details is mandatory for your refund claim.
Contact our support team through the app for help with troubleshooting.
If customs confiscate your goods, your tax refund may be denied.
Our team will send you backup instructions by email. Please contact customer support if needed.
If you can't find an open Customs desk or face issues at the border, reach out to our support team right away. To help us assist you faster, take a photo of the closed Customs office—it can support your refund claim.
If your form isn't validated, your refund claim will likely be rejected.
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