Lithuania VAT Refund Calculator

How the VAT refund works for tourists

When you shop in an EU country as a non-EU resident, you pay VAT at the local rate on goods you purchase. Because you're exporting those goods when you leave the EU, you're entitled to reclaim that VAT — you weren't the intended taxpayer.

The refund process has three steps: get a tax-free form stamped by the retailer at the time of purchase, have it validated by customs at your EU exit point before departure, and claim the refund through the retailer's refund operator (Global Blue, Planet, or similar) either at the airport or by post.

In Lithuania, the minimum purchase threshold is €26.00 per store in a single day. Purchases below this amount are not eligible for a refund.

Minimum purchase thresholds by EU country

You must spend at least the threshold amount in a single store on a single day to qualify for a refund at that store.

How much will you actually get back?

The theoretical refund is the full VAT component embedded in the price you paid. For a €200 purchase in France (20% VAT), that's €200 × 20/120 = €33.33.

In practice, refund operators charge an administration fee — typically 10–20% of the VAT amount. After fees, the actual payout is usually 10–17% of the gross price you paid, depending on country and operator. The calculator above uses country-specific estimates:

• France: ~88% of theoretical maximum (higher for high-value purchases at premium retailers)
• Italy: ~85% of theoretical maximum
• Spain: ~85% of theoretical maximum
• Germany: ~80% of theoretical maximum (operators charge higher fees)
• Most other EU countries: ~85% of theoretical maximum

For reduced-rate goods — food, books, medicines, children's clothing — the embedded VAT is lower, which means both the theoretical maximum and the actual payout are smaller. Use the calculator to switch between standard and reduced rates.

Luxury goods and high-value purchases

Luxury goods — designer handbags, watches, jewellery, perfume, and high-end fashion — are among the most commonly refunded purchases by tourists in Europe. They are taxed at the full standard VAT rate (19–25% depending on country) and are fully eligible for the tax-free shopping scheme, provided the goods are unused, exported, and the retailer issued a tax-free form.

For high-value purchases, the absolute amount refunded can be significant:

• A €3,000 handbag in Italy (22% VAT): theoretical refund €540, after fees approximately €460
• A €2,000 watch in France (20% VAT): theoretical refund €333, after fees approximately €290–295
• A €1,500 coat in Germany (19% VAT): theoretical refund €239, after fees approximately €190–210

Many luxury boutiques — particularly in Paris, Milan, and Florence — have in-house or partner tax-free processing that reduces the airport queue time. Some flagship stores process refunds electronically on the spot via Global Blue or Planet terminals, so your form is ready to go when you leave the store. For very high-value purchases (over €5,000), some operators offer preferential fee rates — ask at the counter.

Important: customs officials can ask to inspect purchased goods at the exit point. Luxury goods should be kept in their original packaging and not used before you leave the EU. If goods are clearly worn or used, the refund claim can be rejected.

Global Blue vs Planet — which refund operator is better?

Global Blue and Planet are the two dominant VAT refund operators in Europe. Both do the same core job: issue tax-free forms at participating retailers, operate airport refund counters, and process mail-in or card-linked refund claims. The retailer decides which operator to use — you get whichever form the store issues, and cannot switch between them.

Tip: if you have a choice of payment method at the airport counter, card or bank transfer refunds almost always result in a higher payout than cash — operators charge an additional conversion fee for cash disbursement.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for a VAT refund anywhere in the EU, you must meet all of the following:

• Non-EU resident: your permanent address is outside the EU. EU citizens living outside the EU may also qualify in some countries.
• Goods, not services: VAT refunds apply to physical goods you take home. Services (hotels, restaurants, transport) are not refundable.
• Unused and exported: goods must be unused and taken out of the EU within 3 months of purchase (90 days in most countries).
• Minimum threshold: the total purchase in a single store on a single day must meet the country-specific minimum shown above.
• Tax-free form: you must get a tax-free shopping form (paper or digital DIVA) from the retailer at the time of purchase. You cannot claim after the fact.

Standard vs. reduced VAT rates for refunds

Most goods are taxed at the standard VAT rate. However, certain categories carry reduced rates — and your refund is calculated on whichever rate applied to your specific purchase.

Common reduced-rate categories across EU countries:

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages (5–10% in most countries)
• Books, newspapers, and printed media
• Medicines and medical equipment
• Children's clothing and footwear (some countries)
• Works of art and antiques (some countries)

If you're buying luxury goods, electronics, fashion, or jewellery — the standard rate almost always applies. Use the calculator's rate selector to check the correct category for your purchase.

Step-by-step: how to get your VAT refund at the airport

1. At the store: ask for a tax-free form (also called a tax refund form or détaxe form). Show your non-EU passport. The retailer fills in the form with your purchase details — check that your name, passport number, and address are correct before you leave the shop.
2. Before you check in: go to the customs VAT desk in the departures area before check-in if your goods are in checked baggage, as customs may need to inspect them. For carry-on items, you can go to customs after check-in. Bring your passport, boarding pass, tax-free form, and the goods (in original packaging if possible).
3. Customs stamp: a customs officer stamps or electronically validates your form. For DIVA/PABLO forms, scan the barcode at the self-service terminal — no officer needed if it clears automatically. Keep the stamped form — it is your proof of export.
4. Refund counter: take the stamped form to the operator's refund counter (Global Blue, Planet, etc.) in the airside departure lounge. Choose cash (lower payout due to conversion fee) or card/bank transfer (higher payout, takes a few days).
5. Mail-in option: if there is no counter, or if you prefer to avoid queuing, use the pre-paid envelope provided with your form to mail it to the operator after departure. Processing takes 4–8 weeks. Always keep a copy of the form before mailing.

If you are leaving the EU via a transit country (e.g., flying from Italy to the US via Frankfurt), customs validation must happen at your final EU exit point — Frankfurt in this example, not Italy. The stamping country does not have to be the purchase country.

FAQ

Can EU citizens get a VAT refund?
EU citizens living permanently outside the EU can qualify in some countries (e.g., Germany, Austria), but most EU countries restrict refunds to non-EU passport holders. Check with the retailer at the time of purchase.

Can I claim a refund on hotel stays or restaurant meals?
No. VAT refunds under the tax-free shopping scheme apply only to physical goods you take out of the EU. Services consumed in the country are not eligible.

What if I miss the customs stamp?
Without a customs stamp, the refund claim is invalid. There are no exceptions — the stamp confirms the goods left the EU.

Is the refund different if I shop at a duty-free store?
Duty-free stores at airports are airside (post-customs) and sell goods VAT-free at the point of sale. You don't need a refund form for those purchases — the VAT was never charged.

Does this calculator work for UK purchases?
No. The UK left the EU VAT system after Brexit, and its tourist VAT refund scheme (Retail Export Scheme) was abolished in January 2021. There is currently no VAT refund for tourist shopping in the UK.

What is DIVA?
DIVA (Digital VAT Refund) is the electronic version of the paper tax-free form, used in some EU countries. Instead of a paper stamp, your purchase is registered digitally and validated electronically at customs. It speeds up the exit process but works the same way as the paper form.

How much VAT refund do I get on a €500 purchase in France?
France has a 20% standard VAT rate. The VAT embedded in a €500 gross price is €500 × 20/120 = €83.33. After operator fees of around 12–15%, your actual refund is approximately €70–73. Use the France VAT refund calculator for a precise estimate.

Can I get a VAT refund on luxury goods?
Yes. Luxury goods — handbags, jewellery, watches, designer clothing, and perfume — are taxed at the standard VAT rate and are fully eligible for VAT refunds. Simply ensure you get the tax-free form from the retailer at purchase and keep the goods unused until you exit the EU.

What is the difference between Global Blue and Planet?
Both are VAT refund operators that issue forms, run airport counters, and process claims. Global Blue dominates in France, Italy, and Germany with slightly higher average payouts; Planet has stronger coverage in Spain and Portugal. The retailer chooses the operator — you use whichever form you receive.

Do American tourists qualify for VAT refunds in Europe?
Yes. US passport holders qualify for VAT refunds in all EU countries that operate a tax-free shopping scheme. Your US address proves non-EU residency. You will need your US passport when requesting the tax-free form from the retailer and at customs on departure.