Tax-free shopping in Austria

Yes. Visitors who live outside the EU can get back about 10.5–15% of the price on purchases of at least €75.01 by claiming the VAT (Umsatzsteuer) refund before they leave.

VAT (Umsatzsteuer)

20%

Minimum spend

€75.01

Net refund

10.5–15%

Refund at till

No

Minimum basis: Per invoice, including VAT (the total on one bill must exceed EUR 75; several items on one bill count together)

Who can claim

• You live outside the EU (residence decides, not nationality).
• You buy the goods for personal use and carry them out of the EU yourself.

How to get the money back

1. Shop at a store that offers tax-free forms and show your passport at the till.
2. Get the export form (U34 or the refund operator's form) filled in with the original receipt attached.
3. At your last EU exit point, show the unused goods, form, receipts and passport to customs before check-in.
4. Claim the refund at the operator's desk or send the validated form to the operator or store.

Where to validate: At customs at your LAST EU exit point (for example Vienna airport if you fly out of the EU from there), before you check in the goods.

Deadline: Goods must leave the EU before the end of the third calendar month after the month of purchase.

Paid out as: Card; Cash at airport or city refund desk (operator fee applies); Bank transfer

Visiting several EU countries? Validate at your last EU exit, wherever you bought the goods.

Not refundable

• Services (hotels, restaurants, car hire)
• Goods bought for business use
• Goods used before departure

Worth knowing

• Keep the goods unused and reachable, because customs may ask to see them.
• If you connect through another EU airport, validate there, not in Austria.

Estimate your refund for Austria

Sources

• Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO): Tax free shopping, guidelines for tourists
• Vienna Tourist Board (wien.info): Tax free shopping
• European Commission: VAT refund guide for visitors to the EU
• Upon: Austria VAT refund guide (net refund range)

Rules last checked 24 September 2026. Refund operators and customs can change procedures at short notice; confirm at the store before you buy.