If you're a resident outside the European Union and made purchases in Portugal, you can request a VAT refund under the Tax Free scheme. Discover how the process works, which documents are required, and where you can claim the amount you're entitled to.
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Tax Free is a tax exemption scheme that allows residents outside the European Union to obtain a VAT (Value Added Tax) refund on purchases made during their stay in Portugal.
Only travellers with permanent residence outside the European Union are entitled to a VAT refund on eligible purchases.
The refund amount depends on the VAT rate applied to the purchased products and the total invoice value. It may vary between approximately 10% and 17%, depending on the item and the current commission charged by each tax-free operator.
To benefit from the scheme, the invoice amount must be equal to or greater than 50 euros plus VAT.
For city center refunds with cash advance, the maximum deadline is 10 days from the invoice issue date, and the tourist must travel outside the EU within 15 to 30 days — depending on the tax-free operator. Please check the details at the counter.
At the airport, the refund must be requested within a maximum of 90 days after the purchase, with customs validation carried out upon departure from the European Union.
Some operators offer online simulators to estimate your refund amount. You can also get assistance at a Unicâmbio desk.
A tax-free form issued by the store at the time of purchase, containing the customer’s correct details, the original invoice, the passport, and, for advance refunds, the credit card of the invoice holder, with at least 6 months of validity and enabled for international online purchases.
The tax-free process automatically requires the customer’s credit card authorization, and Unicâmbio is not responsible if the transaction cannot be completed.
Items must leave the country in the traveller’s luggage and may not be used before departure from the European Union.