Tax free in Bucharest

Bucharest offers a delightful shopping experience, and for tourists who aren't residents of the European Union, there's a great opportunity : tax-free shopping!

As a non-EU resident, you can claim back the Value Added Tax (VAT) on your purchases, making your shopping spree even more rewarding.

What is a tax refund?

A tax refund is a refund of the amount of tax you paid when purchasing products in a foreign country. In Romania, non-EU tourists are entitled to a 19% tax refund on purchases over a certain amount.

Who is entitled to a tax refund in Bucharest?

If you are non European Union citizen you are entitled to a tax refund in Romania, as long as you met the following conditions:

You need to buy in stores participating in the Tax Free tax refund program.
The purchase amount in a single store exceeds 175 euros (or the equivalent in Romanian Lei).
The store has to sign the VAT Refund Form.

When you leave Romania you need to present the items you purchased, along with the Fiscal Invoice and VAT Refund Form.

Head to the customs counter at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) before checking in your luggage.

Present your passport, boarding pass, sealed goods, and all the collected documents (invoice, receipt, and tax refund form). The customs officer will stamp the form to validate your tax-free claim.

After the form is approved, you can receive the refund in cash (Romanian Lei) or through a transfer to your bank account (according to your choice).

How do you get a tax refund in Bucharest?

There are two options to receive your VAT refund:

At the Airport where several VAT refund service providers operate at OTP.

"Ask for Tax Free" is the primary service provider. They will process your claim for a fee (usually around 6% of the refunded VAT).

Global Refund: If you see the "Global Refund" logo at the store where you purchased, you can claim your refund at partnered locations worldwide, including some airports outside the EU.

If you hand over your luggage to the belly of the plane at the check-in counter, inform the representative and they will invite the customs representatives who will come to check the products, since the tax refund counter is located after the security check in the duty free area.

Don't forget that you must come with an original invoice, passport, plane ticket and a tax refund form to the TAX FREE counter where they will pay you the tax in cash after offsetting their commission.

Important things to know about Tax Free Shopping for non-EU citizens in Romania

Only purchases of tangible goods qualify for tax refunds, not services like haircuts or restaurant meals.

The items you bought must be exported from the EU within 90 days of purchase and in unused, sealed condition.

Make sure you get a tax refund form for each purchase.

Keep the original receipts together with the tax refund form.

Make sure you present the items you purchased, along with the receipts and the tax refund form, to the tax authority official at the airport.

You may have to pay a small fee to receive the cash back.

You can also get a tax refund through private companies, but you may have to pay a higher fee.

By following these steps and keeping these points in mind, you can enjoy tax-free shopping in Bucharest and maximise your savings!

Remember, this information is for general guidance, and it's always a good idea to double-check with the specific store and tax refund service provider for any updates or changes.

Tax refund in Romania is a relatively simple process, which can save you a significant amount. Make sure to meet the conditions and follow the required steps, and you can get a tax refund easily.

Shopping in Romania is simply fun because there is so much choice, cheap prices and brands that cannot be found everywhere.