Tax-free shopping in Italy

Yes. Visitors who live outside the EU can get back about 10–15% of the price on purchases of at least €70.01 by claiming the VAT (IVA) refund before they leave.

VAT (IVA)

22%

Minimum spend

€70.01

Net refund

10–15%

Refund at till

No

Minimum basis: Over €70 incl. VAT per electronic invoice from one store (threshold since 1 February 2024)

Who can claim

• You live outside the EU (residence decides, not passport).
• You buy for personal use, not resale.

How to get the money back

1. Show your passport at the till and ask for a tax-free electronic invoice; the store sends it to customs' OTELLO 2.0 system.
2. Keep the goods unused and in their packaging.
3. At your last EU exit point, go to customs (or the refund operator's desk) before check-in and show passport and goods.
4. In Italy, customs stamps the invoice digitally in OTELLO; since 1 July 2026 one passport scan can validate all your invoices at once.
5. Collect the refund from the operator or retailer by the method you chose.

Where to validate: At customs of your LAST EU exit point; at Italian exits the visa is digital via OTELLO 2.0 (customs desk or refund operator desk), before check-in.

Deadline: Goods must leave the EU before the end of the third month after the month of purchase (e.g. bought in June, export by 30 September).

Paid out as: Card; Cash at airport refund desk (extra fee)

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

Not refundable

• Services (hotels, restaurants, car hire)
• Goods for commercial use
• Goods used or consumed in the EU

Worth knowing

• Since 1 July 2026 you can validate several invoices together with one passport scan (validazione unica via refund operators).
• The 2026 Budget Law gave stores 6 months (was 4) to receive the customs visa, but your goods still must leave the EU within the 3-month window.
• Give the store your exact passport details; the invoice is invalid without them.

Estimate your refund for Italy

Sources

• Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli: OTELLO, the procedure
• FiscoOggi (Agenzia delle Entrate): Tax free shopping, istruzioni per la validazione unica
• FiscoOggi: Tax free shopping, con il Bilancio rimborsi più facili e rapidi
• Euroconference: Tax free shopping, novità della Legge di bilancio 2026
• European Commission: VAT refunds for travellers leaving the EU
• Planet Tax Free: Italy
• Privé: VAT refund, what you actually get back (net 13-15% in Italy)

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