Did you know that if you, a non-EU citizen, spend a minimum of € 50 in the Dutch shops, you can get a tax (VAT) refund? Doing shopping in the stores that are connected to Global Blue’s Tax Free Shopping service will help you save your money.
How does tax free shopping work in the Netherlands?
1. Make sure that a shop that you are visiting is a part of Global Blue service. Usually you can see it the blue and white logo on the entrance door and at the counter.
2. At the counter, ask the shop assistant for a Tax Refund Cheque. As a rule, he or she will help you to fill it in. Make sure that your personal information (passport details and home address) is filled in correctly.
- Book your international train tickets from Schiphol to Paris, Brussels, Bruges in advance.
3. When you are leaving the Netherlands, take your purchases (they should be unused and keep the original package), receipt and passport to the customs desk or Global Blue Customer Service center (located at the Departure 3 hall in Schiphol) to get your Tax Refund Cheque stamped. You have to do it within 90 days after the purchase.
Check the official website of the dutch customs explaining How do I reclaim VAT on my purchases?
If you are leaving to another country inside the EU, you will have to stamp your cheque at the airport/point of the final departure from the EU.
4. Present your stamped Tax Refund Cheque and passport to the Global Blue Customer Service representatives and get a refund in cash or on your bank card.
How to find Tax Free refunds points at Schiphol?
If you are leaving the EU from Amsterdam’s airport Schiphol, you can find Tax refund points at Departures 3.
Image source: Schiphol.nl
FAQ about VAT refund at Schiphol
Do I still get a paper Tax Refund Cheque at Schiphol?
No. Since 1 January 2026 the VAT refund process at Schiphol is fully digital. The shop registers your purchase directly in the system, so you no longer receive any paper forms.
How do I validate my purchases at Schiphol without visiting a desk?
Use the NL Customs VAT app (available for Android and Apple). It replaces the old customs stamp: it shows your digital invoices and automatically confirms that you are at Schiphol and departing.
What if the NL Customs VAT app doesn’t work for me?
You can go to the Customs desk in Departure Hall 3, where a staff member will check your passport, ticket, and digital purchase details, and may ask to see the goods.
How do I actually receive my VAT refund money at Schiphol?
After digital validation, you can choose either an immediate cash payment at the tax refund partner’s desk, or an automatic refund to your credit card or bank account via the tax refund partner’s app.
What are the exact conditions to qualify for a VAT refund?
Your permanent residence must be outside the EU, you need to spend at least €50 per shop on the same day, and you must export the goods unused within three months after the month of purchase.
Can I claim back VAT at Amsterdam airport for purchases I made in Belgium or France?
Yes, if you’re leaving the EU from Amsterdam Schiphol airport this should be possible.
I’ve purchased cameras in big boxes that don’t fit in my suitcase. Can I leave the boxes behind?
According to Dutch customs rules, you have to make sure that the original packages are unopened when you apply for your VAT return.
Enjoy your tax free shopping in the Netherlands!
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Do we need to do checkin first and then go to customs counter to show items and get stamped or we may go first to customs before checkin. Please guide
Hi Anees, for the customs service it doesn’t matter. For your own comfort, I think it’s better to arrive to the airport earlier and first go to customs counter and then go to check-in. You also need to show all items, so you can check-in your luggage after you’ve finished with the customs desk.
If I am transiting through Schiphol from Italy with merchandise in my carry-on is there a place for me to get a cutoms stamp and Global Blue after security during my transit from an EU flight to a flight back to the US from AMS?
Hi David, yes, there is the Customs office after security, it is located in Departure Hall 3. And I’ve find information at Schiphol website saying that it should be possible for you to reclaim VAT refund (your purchases will be validated digitally, but you will not receive a stamp).
I made purchases in another EU country (e.g. Italy). Can I reclaim the VAT refund at Schiphol?
Yes. If you leave the European Union via Schiphol, you can have your purchases validated here, even if you bought them in another EU country. To do this, go to the Customs desk with your passport, ticket, proof of purchase and the goods. If the shop in the other EU country is affiliated with a tax refund partner (e.g. Global Blue, Planet or Epay), Customs will enter the purchase into the system and validate it digitally. You will not receive a stamp.