VAT Refund Belgium: Step-by-step guide for non-EU residents
Belgium is a destination that charms every traveler. From the cobbled streets of Bruges to the vibrant art scene of Brussels, every corner of the country offers something special.
Your Belgian getaway will likely include a little shopping too, won’t it ? Many travellers don’t even realize it exists. But if you live outside the EU, you can claim back the Value Added Tax (VAT) on pretty much all of your purchases before returning home.
Whether you're savoring delicious chocolate or picking up a new designer piece, understanding how VAT refunds work can make a real difference to your travel budget.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to turn your Belgian shopping into real savings:
- How VAT refunds work
- Who is eligible
- Which purchases qualify
- Step-by-step guide to claim your VAT refund before you leave the EU
Get your VAT refund faster and easier with Zapptax, discover the app now.
What is VAT and what is the VAT rate in Belgium?
First, let’s start with the essentials. In Belgium, VAT (as "TVA" in French or "BTW" in Dutch) is a consumption tax applied to goods and services.
The VAT is already included in the price you see when shopping, it is not added separately at checkout.
Here are the current VAT rates in Belgium:
- 21%: Standard rate (applicable to most goods and services).
- 12%: Applied to dining services (except for drinks).
- 6%: Applied to basic necessities like water, food products, certain books, medicine, and public transportation.
If you buy goods subject to the 21% or 6% VAT and plan to leave the EU, you are eligible to claim a refund on the tax paid. A significant advantage for savvy tourists !
Is the full VAT refunded to tourists?
Not entirely.
While the standard VAT rate is 21%, you usually won’t get the full 21% back.
First, a reminder of basic arithmetic, because there’s often some confusion. The 21% VAT rate applies to the price excluding VAT. For example, for an item with a pre-tax price of €100, a 21% VAT rate results in… €21 in VAT. The total price will therefore be €121.
But be careful: those €21 in VAT do not represent 21% of the VAT-included price of €121! They only represent 17.35% of the VAT-included price (that is, €21 divided by €121).
So, you can never recover 21% of the VAT-included amount. The maximum you could recover, if all the VAT were refunded, is 17.35%, or €21.
Besides, most tax refund providers deduct processing fees or commissions, which can reduce the amount you get back. In practice, your refund often ends up being between 10% and 15% of the purchase price, VAT included !
The exact amount depends on how you choose to process your refund. Some services allow you to keep a larger share of the VAT by simplifying the process and reducing intermediary costs. For example, using a digital solution like Zapptax can help you to receive a higher refund compared to traditional methods (up to 90% of the VAT paid compared to 70%).
Who is eligible for a VAT refund in Belgium?
You can claim a VAT refund in Belgium if you meet the following criteria:
1. You must live outside the European Union
Only non-EU residents qualify for VAT refunds. With Zapptax, you verify your identity once a year in the app using your passport, so there is no need to show it when shopping. For most tourists, this is enough.
If you are an expatriate living outside the EU with an EU passport, you will also need to upload a valid proof of non-EU residency in the app, such as a residence certificate or visa.
2. Your stay in Belgium is temporary
Your stay must be less than 6 months (183 days) in a 12-month period. Students or long-term workers generally are not eligible.
3. You spend at least €125,01 during your stay
This is the minimum purchase threshold to qualify for a VAT refund in Belgium.
With traditional VAT refund systems, the rule is strict: you must spend at least €125,01 (VAT incl.) in a single store, on the same day, because each store issues its own tax-free form.
With Zapptax, it is different and far more flexible. Since the tax-free form is created at the end of your trip, all eligible purchases (across multiple stores and days) can be combined. This means reaching the €125 (VAT incl.) minimum is much easier, no matter when or where you shop, as long as it’s within the same country.
4. You intend to export the goods personally
The goods must be for personal use, not for commercial resale, and they must leave the EU in your personal luggage.
5. You leave the EU with your goods within three months
Goods must exit the EU no later than the last day of the third month following the month of purchase.
For example: If you buy a watch in April, you must leave the EU with it by July 31st.
And good to know, if you leave the EU from another country (for example, France or Germany), you can still validate your Belgian tax-free form at your point of exit.
What purchases are eligible for a VAT refund in Belgium?
The good news? Most of what you purchase qualifies for a VAT refund. Here is what typically qualifies:
- Fashion and accessories: clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry.
- Electronics: smartphones, cameras, tablets, laptops.
- Beauty and cosmetics: perfumes, skincare products.
- Artisanal goods: Belgian lace, chocolates, crafts, souvenirs.
- Luxury items: watches, designer accessories.
Goods must be new, unused, and carried out with you outside the EU.
You may be asked to show them during Customs checks, so keep them accessible.
What purchases are excluded from a VAT refund ?
Certain items are never eligible for a VAT refund in Belgium:
- Tobacco and alcoholic beverages.
- All services (hotel stays, restaurant meals, public transport tickets)
- Goods intended for commercial use
- Vehicles and related parts
When shopping, if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask the tax-free operator (Zapptax for example) whether the item qualifies for tax-free shopping.
Step-by-step guide : how to get a VAT refund in Belgium
There are two main ways to claim a VAT refund in Belgium: the traditional option, available in certain stores. And a more flexible one, a digital tax-free operator that lets you manage everything directly from your phone.
Take a look at our step-by-step guide that presents how each one works, and choose your best option!
Step 1: Enjoy your shopping and collect your invoices
Traditional way:
At “tax-free shopping” participating stores, ask for a tax-free form (“bordereau de détaxe”). You'll need to show your passport to confirm your non-EU residency.
With the digital tax-free operator Zapptax:
You can shop in any store in Belgium, whether or not it offers tax-free shopping.
You just have to ask for a VAT invoice addressed to Zapptax right before paying for your goods. You can also shop online, just enter Zapptax’s name, address and VAT number (available in the app) at checkout. Don't forget your invoices, you will need them.
Step 2: Centralize your invoices and get a tax-free form
Traditional way :
Each store will give you a separate tax-free form. You’ll need to manage multiple documents and make sure each is correctly filled out before heading to Customs.
With Zapptax :
Instead of paper handling and waiting in store, you will simply upload your invoices directly in the app. It’s the fastest and the easiest way. First, you scan or photograph your invoices, then upload them in the app, and so let the app prepare and fill the tax refund documents for you.
Step 3: Validate your tax-free form when leaving the EU
Before you leave Belgium, or wherever you leave the European Union, you must validate your tax-free form with Customs.
If you are leaving from Belgium, you do not need to print your Zapptax tax-free forms. You just need to go to the Customs office before check-in & security checks, mention to the officer that your forms were issued electronically. The Custom agent may ask for your passport or ask to see the goods and then he will validate your forms electronically.
This digital validation is only applicable in Belgium for tax-free forms that were issued in the country. If you leave the EU from Belgium but carry tax-free forms issued in other EU countries, they must be validated manually by way of a physical stamp affixed by a Belgian Customs officer.
If you are not leaving the EU from Belgium but from another EU country, you must print your Belgian tax-free forms before leaving. At your exit point, go to the nearby Customs office and show your printed documents to the Customs agent who will validate your tax-free forms with a physical stamp.
Validation is essential: without it, no refund will be processed.
We advise you to plan this step in advance, as you don't want to waste too much time on the day of departure.
Step 4: Submit your validated form
Once your tax-free form is validated, Zapptax handles everything else. You just have to wait a few days or sometimes a few weeks, then you will receive your refund securely, with lower fees than most traditional services.
- Electronic validation : your refund will be processed using your preferred payment method.
- Form validated by stamp : upload a photo of your stamped form in the app and then your refund will be processed.
Step 5: Receive your VAT refund
Here is the moment you’ve been waiting for: receiving your VAT refund. It can be processed in your preferred method:
- To your credit card.
- Via bank transfer.
- By Paypal, Alipay.
To conclude, both traditional and digital tax refund operators allow you to claim a VAT refund. But in an increasingly administrative world, it is sure that digital services like Zapptax simplify the process, remove the store limitations, reduce paperwork, and so offer a better refund amount.
FAQ about VAT refund Belgium
1. How do I claim Belgium VAT back ?
If using Zapptax, you just have to collect your invoices, upload them to the app, and once your tax-free form is generated, you will then have it validated by Customs when exiting the EU. You can shop in-store or online, unlike traditional services.
2. What is the maximum VAT refund in Belgium?
While the standard VAT rate in Belgium is 21%, the actual refund amount is typically lower due to processing fees deducted by traditional refund operators. Tourists or business travelers using a digital tax-free operator often benefit from a higher refund compared to standard services.
3. Will I get the full 21% refunded?
Not entirely, sorry. Most tax refund providers deduct service fees, so in reality, travelers often recover only 12% to 15% of what they spent (VAT included). The more you spend, the higher the refund rate you will receive from Zapptax, up to 90% of the VAT paid.
4. What is the minimum amount of purchase required ?
That rule applies to traditional tax-free services, but not with Zapptax. There is no minimum per store or per day. Zapptax lets you combine all your eligible purchases, from any shop and at any time during your trip, until you reach the total threshold of €125 (VAT incl.). It’s simpler, more flexible, and works everywhere.
5. Can I validate my VAT form if I leave the EU from another country?
Yes. You can validate your Belgian tax-free form at the Customs office of any EU country from which you depart. If you are not leaving from Belgium but from another EU country, you must print your forms before leaving.
At your exit point, go to the Customs office and show your printed documents to the Customs officer who will validate your tax-free forms with a physical stamp.
6. How long does it take to get my refund?
Most refunds are processed within a few weeks depending on the provider and the payment method.
Refunds are usually made via bank transfer, credit card, or PayPal.
7. Is there a deadline to claim the VAT refund?
Yes. The tax refund form must be validated within three months of purchase. With Zapptax, there is no need to make a refund claim. It's automatic once your tax free form has been validated.
