Sarah Pardi - August 11, 2025
Home > Travel Requirements, Policy & Authorization > Getting a VAT Refund in Italy: What to Do
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If you're heading to Italy and are planning to do a bit of shopping, you may need to pay something called a VAT (or Value Added Tax).
What many travelers don't know is that, in some cases, the VAT you pay can be refunded to you.
While the hassle might not be worth it for small purchases, if you're making larger purchases while abroad, it definitely can be.
In this guide, we're going to take a look at:
While it isn't the same thing exactly, a VAT is often compared to a sales tax, something American shoppers are more familiar with.
VAT, short for Value Added Tax, is the term used in Europe. In Italy specifically, the tax is called Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto, or LVA. If you see LVA, know that it's the same thing as VAT. We will use the term VAT in this article for consistency.
Like true for many countries, Italy's VAT has different rates depending on the type of good you're buying.
That said, Italy's standard VAT is 22%.
There are lower rates, too, though. For instance, food, jewelry, and alcohol are taxed at 10%. Food is typically 5%-4%.
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If you're buying goods when traveling through Italy, you are going to have to pay VAT.
However, some shoppers are exempt from paying VAT. Even though this is the case, they will still be required to pay it. However, they are also eligible for a refund.
While uncommon, this is the case in the US as well.
For example, Oregon doesn't have a sales tax. So, when Oregon residents travel to another state, like Washington, they are technically exempt. While they do have to pay it at the time of their purchases, they can go through a refund request process later.
When shopping in Italy, just know that you will need to pay the tax, but that doesn't mean it can't be refunded later (for those who are eligible, anyhow).
In Italy, there are a few conditions that need to be met in order for you to be eligible to request a VAT refund.
You must:
If you're eligible, requesting a VAT refund in Italy is straightforward, but it does involve a series of steps you will need to take.
In the European Union, VAT is handled country-by-country, not at an EU level. This means that the processes for requesting (and receiving) refunds can differ depending on which country you shop in.
In order to be able to request a VAT refund, you need to:
Did you know Schengen visa applications are going online? In the coming years, a new platform for visa applications will be launched. It is called EU VAP, short for EU Visa Application Platform.
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