Tax-Free Shopping in Portugal 🇵🇹

Shop tax-free in Portugal with vatfree.com, and enjoy its beautiful beaches, historic cities, and vibrant culture. One of its most popular destinations is the capital city of Lisbon, which offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern amenities.
Lisbon is a shopper's paradise, with a wide range of shopping opportunities to suit every taste and budget. From traditional markets to modern shopping centers, Lisbon has it all. The city's historic center is home to many traditional shops selling local crafts and products, while the bustling Avenida da Liberdade is lined with designer boutiques and luxury brands. One of the most popular shopping destinations in Lisbon is the Chiado district, located in the heart of the city. This area is home to many historic buildings and cultural landmarks, as well as a wide range of shops, cafes, and restaurants. It's a great place to explore on foot, with many narrow streets and alleys filled with unique shops and boutiques.

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Portugal

• Local currency is € Euro

• VAT is applied to all purchases

• Standard VAT rate: 23%

• Low VAT rate: 13% on food and some optical products. 

• Low VAT rate: 6% on medicines, pharmaceutical goods, books, magazines.

5 Tax-Free shopping rules

1. You must live at least 6 months out of each year in a non-EU country.

2. You must purchase goods (online or in stores) for private use to take back home to a non-EU country.

3. Upon purchasing goods, let the store know you will export the goods. The store will provide you with a tax-free form.

4. There is a minimum spend for a tax refund in Portugal. In order to be eligible for a VAT (Value Added Tax) refund, you must have spent a minimum of €61,50 (including VAT) in a single store on the same day.

5. You must get a Customs export validation stamp before the end of the 3rd month, after the month of purchase. So if you buy a product in February, you can declare the product for export validation till the end of May of that year. The Customs export validation (either an ink stamp on your documentation or digitally approved) is mandatory to prove export of goods. Without this proof, no VAT refund can be issued.

Where to get Customs validation?

At the last EU departure point like the airports of Lisbon, Porto or upon arrival in a non-EU country. Required documentation to show the Customs officer: 

• Passport (If you have an EU passport; other proof of residence outside the EU);

• Boarding pass;

• Purchased items;

• Purchase invoices/receipts and/or tax free forms.

Good to know

At the airport, please allow enough time for Customs approval process before your flight departs. An extra 30 minutes before check-in time is usually enough.

Make sure the goods are in an unused condition.

Make sure to visit Customs before check-in as you will probably check in your main luggage. If you plan to carry the goods in your hand luggage, visit Customs after check-in if the airport map shows this option.

Make sure to take a photo of your stamped documents after visiting Customs. Upload these photos via the vatfree.com app or after logging in to www.vatfree.com. In case of loss, you will always have the digital copies in a safe place and the VAT refund process might still be able to take place.

If you are departing a Portugal airport but changing flights at another EU airport, and if the goods you are exporting are to be checked through to a destination outside the EU, go to Customs at the Portugal airport and your documentation will be export validated as if you were at the EU departure point. If your luggage is not checked through to a destination outside the EU, you need to have your documentation export validated at the EU airport where the changing flights occur. 

In smaller airports, there may be no Customs Official present, in this case, look for the Customs deposit box and instructions.