VAT refund in Belgium: A complete guide to tax-free shopping in Belgium for tourists

Heading to Belgium from the UK soon? Known for its friendly locals and delicious beer and chocolate, Belgium is the perfect weekend getaway from the cold and damp UK. Belgium has something for everyone, whether you love museums, art galleries, architecture, or food.

When you visit Belgium, don't forget to go shopping! However, you might be surprised to find out that VAT in Belgium can be as high as 21%! You are paying more than you have planned!

But don't worry - as a Brit, a non-EU resident, you can claim a VAT refund on goods purchased during your visit. This guide will help you navigate the process of getting your VAT refund in Belgium so that you can conquer the shopping scene with the best tax-free deals!

There's also a bonus tip to save even more: consider receiving your VAT refund through the Wise debit card!

How much is VAT in Belgium?

Let's start with the basics. In Belgium, the Value Added Tax (VAT) is also known as Taxe sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA) in French. The acronym TVA is often used interchangeably with VAT, but they essentially refer to the same type of tax.

As a member of the EU, Belgium can still decide on its VAT rates as long as they are equal or higher than the minimum set by the union. The standard VAT rate in Belgium is 21%, which applies to most goods and services. Additionally, there is an intermediate rate of 12%, a reduced rate of 6%, and a zero-rate. You can refer to the provided table to determine the applicable tax rate for your goods and services¹:

Tier	Rate	Applicable goods
Standard Rate	21%	Major of the goods and services.
Intermediate rate	12%	Dining services (except for drinks); Margarine; Certain types of public housing.
Reduced rate	6%	Food products; Water; Medicine; Certain books; Transportation.
Zero-rate	0%	Periodical publications

How much VAT is refunded in Belgium?

In general, you won't get the total amount back. And it is very complicated to determine exactly how much VAT is refunded in Belgium. Here is an explanation of why:

If you use the intermediary refund agent to get your VAT refund in Belgium, you will have to pay administration fees. The fee can vary based on each case and may be deducted directly from the refund amount. If you want to receive your VAT refund in Belgium by your credit card, extra foreign exchange fees will also be charged.

Long story short, your actual VAT refund amount may differ in each case. Depending on the amount, you will typically get a refund of between 11.75% and 14% of the item's total price.

Who is eligible for tax free shopping in Belgium?

Before we are covering the steps of how to tax-free shopping in Belgium, there are certain requirements you need to meet²:

• You can provide proof of identity showing that your usual place of residence is outside the EU;
• You only travel to Belgium for leisure and will leave the EU after your holiday ends;
• You will take the products with you in your personal luggage within three months after the end of the month in which you made the purchase. For example, if you buy a phone on 15 February, you must apply for a refund and bring this phone out of the EU no later than 31 May;
• You pay for the goods yourself, and your purchase must be for personal use, not for any business purposes; and
• Your total value of goods must be more than 125 EUR per invoice or Tax-Free Form (VAT Refund form). An eligible purchase may include up to 3 same-day invoices/receipts from retailers with the same GST registration number and shop name.

How to get VAT refund in Belgium?

If you meet all the eligibility criteria mentioned above, it's time to proceed with claiming back your VAT in Belgium. You can actually do it yourself by sending the documents to the visiting store. However, the main way for individuals to get VAT refunds before leaving Belgium for the UK is by using a VAT refund agent.

But there are several steps you need to finish before you can actually receive back your VAT refund:

Receive a Tax Free Form or the invoice

When making a purchase, be sure to confirm in advance that the visiting store can refund your VAT in Belgium. Before leaving the store, request an invoice for your goods and a Tax-Free Form. Double-check your personal information to make sure that everything in the form is correct. After validating that your name, nationality, and passport number match your document, proceed to sign the form.

The sales assistant at the shop might ask you to show your passport, so make sure you bring it along while you are shopping. The assistant will check to make sure that you aren’t shopping on behalf of somebody else. In case you are shopping on for somebody else, you are not eligible for a VAT refund in Belgium.

Have the forms stamped

Before leaving the EU, go to the customs office to have your invoices and VAT Refund forms stamped. You must physically present the goods, passport, boarding pass, the invoice, and the Tax-Free Form. So make sure that you put them somewhere that is easy to grab.

Depending on where you will pack your goods, you can either³:

• If your items are in your checked luggage, make sure to apply for your VAT refund in Belgium at the Customs office in the departure hall before you go through Security check and Border control. You should immediately check these goods in after getting the stamp from Customs.
• If your items are in your hand-carry luggage, you should apply for your VAT refund aftergoing through Security check and Border control first.

This process applies only if you are departing for the UK on a direct flight from Belgium. If you intend to transit to another EU country, you can follow the same process for checked luggage. However, for hand-carry luggage, you will need to visit the local Customs office³.

Obtain a VAT refund

Here comes the best part: receiving your VAT Belgium VAT refund. There are two ways you can receive your refund, you can either³:

• Return the stamped invoice and the VAT refund form in Belgium to the store, who will proceed with the refund.
• Give the Tax Free Form to an intermediary refund agent at the airport.

For the latter option, depending on which agent you use, you can also choose payment methods such as in cash or on your credit card.

This article walks you through the few steps to get your VAT refund before departing Belgium for the UK. The process is relatively simple, whether you go with an agent or do it yourself. There is another good news: you can save even more money with Wise!

As mentioned above, you can receive your VAT with your credit card, but you might need to pay extra foreign exchange fees. This is because when your card's main currency (e.g., GBP) differs from the local currency (e.g., EUR), it will be automatically converted every time you use it. The card issuer determines the conversion rate, typically with a hidden and cost markup.

With a Wise debit card, you can easily minimise this fee! The card lets you hold 40+ currencies, including EUR! And, it only charges a small fee and converts at mid-market rates without any markups if a conversion occurs, maximising your savings for your next adventure. Order your Wise card for a one-time fee of 7 GBP today!

Get your card now

Please also be aware that tax rates and regulations may change over time. Always verify the information with official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.

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Sources used for this article:

1. European Commission: Taxation and Customs Union
2. Brussels Airport: VAT refund
3. FPS Finances: VAT refund for export of goods

Sources last checked on 26-Jul-2024.