Tax free in Prague. TAX FREE in the Czech Republic Tax free at Prague airport

Publication date: 2013-02-21

When making purchases in some Czech stores, foreign tourists can take advantage of the right to tax free. You can read the general rules for returning tax free, and in this article we will talk about the practical side of such a process in the Czech Republic. The following limits and terms for tax free are in effect in the state:

• the minimum purchase amount must exceed 2500 CZK (about 80 euros);
• the purchased product must be withdrawn within 3 months;
• The tax free check is valid for 5 months;
• The VAT rate in the Czech Republic is 19%.

There are two tax-free systems in the Czech Republic: Global Blue and Premier Tax Free, however, it is worth noting that their network of stores is widely represented only in Prague. The list of stores in the capital that are included in Global Blue can be found on their website, but Premier Tax Free cannot boast of such a convenient service - there is only a general catalog of brands (you need to select a brand to see if it is represented in Prague).

Detailed information about tax free return points in the Czech Republic (Prague, Karlovy Vary, Brno and Pardubice) can be found here: Global Blue and Premier Tax Free. Of course, only those located after customs, that is, at airports, are available to tourists. As an example, we will dwell in detail on the most used option, which is Prague Airport ().

Tax free refund at Prague airport

Tax free returns at Prague Airport are carried out in Terminal No. 1. The size of the terminal is relatively small, so all the necessary points are nearby. Fortunately, there are enough pointers, and it won’t be difficult to figure it out. You can see a detailed diagram of terminal No. 1, and a simplified plan a little lower.

Main detail when returning tax-free, you must show the purchased item at customs, and sometimes also at the money issuing point, so either do not check in your luggage until you have issued a return, or leave the tax-free item as hand luggage. Depending on which option you choose, the sequence of going through customs, checking in, dropping off your luggage and receiving tax free will be slightly different.

Tax free return for goods checked into the luggage compartment:

1. check-in (but you don’t check your luggage and don’t wrap it in film);
2. customs (letter “C” on the map);
3. tax free return point (letters “R2”, “R3”, “R4”, “R5” on the map);
4. baggage check-in (you will have to stand in line for check-in again);
5. passport (border) control.

Tax free return for goods that remain as hand luggage:

1. check-in and baggage drop-off;
2. customs (letter “C” on the map);
3. passport (border) control;
4. tax free return point (letter “R1” on the map).

When you receive money at the return point, be sure to find out the conversion rate. As a rule, it is most profitable to take crowns; then the euro. The most “extortionate” commission is for dollars. Crowns can be spent immediately in Duty Free.

- group tour (up to 10 people) for a first acquaintance with the city and main attractions - 3 hours, 20 euros

- a walk through little-known but interesting corners of Prague away from tourist routes to feel the real spirit of the city - 4 hours, 30 euros

- bus tour for those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Czech Middle Ages - 8 hours, 30 euros

Most tourists, coming to the Czech Republic or another European country, always go to stores and buy clothes, equipment, jewelry and much more. Some goods are cheaper in Europe, and you can also get some money back from their cost.

In the Czech Republic VAT is 21%, and third country nationals (i.e. all countries outside the European Union) are entitled to a tax refund when returning home from any EU country.

What you will need to get your tax refund:

• Buy goods worth more than 2000 CZK (approximately 80 Euros);
• Fill out a special form that will be given to you at the checkout;
• Arrive at the airport and go through the VAT refund procedure.

How it works.
First, go to a store that has a sign on it "Tax Free Shopping Global Blue", or such a sign is located at the cash register. Then you buy goods in the store for the amount more than 2000 CZK.

They give you check, which is pinned to a special form (form) with the store’s seal, which you need to fill out yourself, and that’s it. Most shops in the tourist center participate in the tax refund program, in addition, stores of famous brands located in Prague shopping centers also participate in the Tax Free Shopping Global Blue system. If you buy goods in other EU countries, then when flying from the Czech Republic, you can also get a tax refund, since this is a unified system.

And now the day of departure has come, you are going to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport, there you go to a special customs officer, present the completed forms, tickets, passport, and, upon request, unwrapped goods, after which the customs officer stamps you on the “tax free” form, and you go to the window Vrácení DPH | Refund Tax Free. There are two such windows in the international terminal, where you hand in all your documents and they give you money. You will be asked in what currency you would like your tax refund. You can ask, for example, Euro. That's all, you calmly receive your money, check in for your flight, and fly home.

The only downside to a tax refund is the fees and commissions of the banks that issue the money, i.e. from a purchase of 2000 CZK (80 Euros) you will get back approximately 275 CZK (11 Euros). The Global Blue website has a special calculator that calculates the amount to be refunded.

If, when purchasing a product, you paid card, then the money will be returned to your card. In this case, you will have to deposit a special form in a separate box after passing through passport control.

You can get a VAT refund at the following airports in the Czech Republic: Prague (Terminal 1 and 2), Pardubice, Brno, Karlovy Vary.

I only returned VAT once, when I was flying from Spain, no one there asked to show things either, but they simply returned the Euro without any questions.

As for the Czech Republic, I have repeatedly accompanied my family and friends to the airport, where everyone received a tax refund without any problems. At the same time, no one asked to show the purchased items.

At the end of the post I will write some additional conditions:

• The quantity of goods should not exceed personal needs;
• The exported goods must be intended only for personal use;
• VAT refunds are not made for food products, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, gasoline, and similar groups of goods.
• No more than 3 months should pass from the moment of purchasing the goods and receiving the customs officer’s stamp.
• A Tax Free form with a customs officer’s stamp is valid for no more than 5 months.

Surely you have already heard and know that when making purchases in EU countries, foreigners from countries outside the European Union have the right to return the value added tax on exported goods (VAT) - the so-called Tax Free.

It is different for each country. There are two VAT rates in the Czech Republic: 15% and 21%. The lower rate includes the sale of a narrow list of social goods, such as food, medicine, medical equipment, children's car seats, and goods for the disabled. The top rate is used for a wider range of goods: clothing, jewelry, electronics, and so on.

In order to fully enjoy shopping abroad, we invite you to draw your attention to some nuances that play an important role in receiving a Tax Free refund.

So, Tax Free refund can be carried out in three ways:

1. Cash at the border
2. Instant refund to a bank card in the store where the purchase was made
3. By bank transfer to card or check

Important: Tax Free refunds are only possible when making purchases in stores that are part of the Tax Free system. As a rule, there are corresponding stickers on the windows and checkouts of such stores.

Tax Free return conditions:

• Availability of a tourist Schengen visa category C (short-term or multiple visa) in the passport.
• Holders of long-term visas type D (residence permits) are not entitled to VAT refund.
• Availability of a store receipt with a minimum total amount of at least 2001 Czech crowns.
• Availability of a completed Tax Free form. In Prague stores, the part of the form concerning the number of purchases and their cost is usually filled out by the sellers themselves; all you have to do is enter your passport details.
• Availability of a customs stamp on the Tax Free form, affixed at the point of departure/departure from the EU country. At the same time, when making purchases in one country, for example in Germany or Austria, you can put a customs stamp in another, for example in the Czech Republic.

Important: there are several systems for Tax Free returns, so as not to get confused, ask the store for a reminder on Tax Free returns. It will indicate the specific system, as well as the nearest customs control points, cash issuing desks at the airport and other useful information, including the company's postal address.

The most common tax free systems are Premier Tax Free and Global Blue. The time from the moment of purchase to the moment of presenting documents for Tax Free registration to customs authorities is strictly regulated and is 6 weeks.

Return Tax Free:

Cash at the border (in the airport departure hall)

The customs point is located to the left of the information boards in the departures hall of Terminal 1. To obtain a customs control stamp, present your passport and flight ticket to the employee. Sometimes you need to show your purchases, so refrain from checking in for your flight, wrapping it in plastic, or checking in your luggage until you receive the stamp.

After registering and going through passport control, you will find yourself in the Duty Free zone. After passing the information desk, you will see the border control for arriving passengers and next to it a currency exchange office and a Tax Free cash Refund office, indicated by the appropriate icon. Present a form with a stamp from the customs service and a passport and receive cash in euros, dollars or kroons (more profitable in kroons) of your choice. Here you can spend or exchange previously unclaimed or refunded crowns.

Important: when receiving in cash, you will be reimbursed only 14-16% VAT instead of the 21% VAT due. The remainder of your due amount will be charged as a service fee.

Instant refund to a bank card in the store where the purchase was made

Some stores offer an instant VAT refund to a bank card. To do this, you need to clarify this possibility with the seller and present your foreign passport with a tourist visa. In this case, when paying for a purchase with a bank card, the amount of tax free in the store may not be charged or will be instantly credited back to your card.

Along with the purchase receipt, you will receive a Tax Free form and a company envelope. When leaving the EU, you must receive a stamp from the customs service and send the entire set of documents to the specified postal address within 30 days from the date of departure or by dropping the envelope with the documents into the appropriate Tax Free service box at the airport, for example. If the specified documents are not returned within the strictly designated time frame, the amount of Tax Free returned to you will be automatically debited from your card.

By bank transfer to card or check

If you didn’t have time or didn’t figure out how to return Tax Free at the border or when making purchases, it doesn’t matter. You can receive a refund in your home country. To do this, you must contact banks that cooperate with international Tax Free systems and provide checks and forms with customs stamps, as well as present your national and foreign passports. Banks charge fees for their services. As a rule, different banks work with different systems. You can find the bank closest to you that works with Tax Free on the Internet, on the website of the Tax Free system through which the purchase was made. The deadlines for submitting to the bank are identical to the deadlines for returning checks.

If none of the banks in your city works with Tax Free systems, you must write an application and send it by mail in a company envelope along with checks and a form, as well as your bank card details to the company through whose system the purchase was made . Tax Free refund will be made to your card.

• Use one check to make a maximum of purchases made in one store.
• Retain the original packaging and tags until the goods are presented to customs.
• Check that the seller has filled out the TaxFree form correctly
• Arrive at the airport early so that you not only have time to get a customs stamp, but also not be late for your flight.
• Don't forget to pick up Tax Free reminders in the store
• Control the deadlines for submitting documents for payment.

If you are planning to make several large purchases in Prague, then it makes sense to bother with the return of tax free (value added tax) on your purchase. What do I need to do?

1. First of all, pay attention to the place where you plan to make a series of purchases. In stores where tax free is issued, there are special identification marks, for example the following:

2. If the store you need has such a sign, feel free to buy whatever you want, but not less than 2 thousand CZK - this is the minimum amount with which a tax free refund is possible in Prague.

3. When paying for your purchase, ask the seller to issue tax free for you. He will prepare a special form for you, where he will fill out the type of purchase, material, and attach a receipt. On the form you will need to fill out something about yourself (according to your passport) and leave a signature. It is best to fill out the tax free form in advance so as not to waste time on this at the airport. This is what the tax free form filled out by you should look like.

4. Upon arrival at Václav Havel Airport in Prague, in Terminal 1 to the right of the exit you will see the check-in counters for your flight. If your purchases will be in your hand luggage, you will first need to get a boarding ticket for the plane at the check-in counter, and only after that you can go for tax free.

5. After receiving your boarding pass, you need to go to the window with the inscription “Customs stamp” (or just the letter “C”). There are three such windows in Terminal 1, to the left and right of the check-in counter there are two of them, you will recognize these windows by the large queue. When you approach this window, present your passport, boarding pass and tax free forms with receipts. Sometimes employees may ask to see your purchases. If you have purchases in your hand luggage, show them. If your purchases are included in your luggage, you can immediately go with the tax-free forms to the “Customs stamp” window without receiving a boarding pass in advance.

6. When the airport staff stamps your forms, you need to go to the window with the inscription “Partner refund point” (or just the letter “R”), present your forms and checks with stamps. They will be taken from you, and VAT will be returned in exchange. You will also be asked which currency you would like to receive your refund in - CZK or EUR. When going home, you are unlikely to ask for crowns, but keep in mind that when choosing euros, the staff will take a small commission. This is why returning tax free in the Czech Republic is not as profitable as, for example, in Spain or other European countries.

That's it, it's not very difficult, but you can return tax free in the Czech Republic. If you still have questions about tax free, leave them in the comments

Dear forum members, after reading about Tax Free, I came across a phrase somewhere that Tax Free can be applied for not only at the airport upon departure from Prague, but also in the city in advance.
Since I wouldn’t want to run around with receipts before departure, maybe someone can tell me where in Prague I can apply for Tax Free in advance.
I couldn't find a single address on Google.
As I understand it, if Tax Free has already been issued, it will be enough to stamp it at customs and throw it in a box at the airport?

Sections: Czech Republic; Tax Free Refund - tax refund for tourists

You won’t have to run around a lot at the airport with checks; everything is organized very well there. Fill out the form, present the receipts and immediately give out the money in cash. When we flew out of Prague (September 28), there were no queues at all to receive Tax Free.
In Prague itself, we were processed and the money was returned immediately in the store when purchasing jewelry with garnet.

We stood in line for a bit at the airport, but not for long. There was a queue (about 5 people) both at customs and at the reception.
We were lucky and were not forced, like many others, to present our purchases. It was very pathetic to look at people unpacking their suitcases sealed in advance in film ((
We received the tax free in euros and happily spent it in duty free.

on Saturday at the airport the line to get a stamp was very short, they didn’t ask to show anything, and the cash was issued in 3 places. As for the card - you need to indicate the card number where the transfer will be made. Customs will tell you where to throw the sealed letter.

The topic has already been discussed, there are also addresses of pick-up points for different TF systems (both in the center: one near Wenceslas, the other between the Powder Tower and Staromerzki in a jewelry store). It’s even better to look at the addresses on the TF form, it’s written there in small print. You need to have a bank card with you. You will be given cash, but you will need to mark the receipts at customs and place a sealed envelope with the receipts in a box near the TF collection point at the airport. If you do not do this within 30 days, the amount issued to you will be debited from your card. At customs they asked to show only garnet jewelry; they were not interested in the rest. I didn’t really like DF in Ruzin; in city stores, even in Bill at the airport, almost everything is cheaper. Enjoy the shopping.

I didn’t really like DF in Ruzin, in city stores, even in Bill at the airport, almost everything is cheaper

This isn't even about Ruzin. in Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo, vodka, nesting dolls and caviar are also more expensive than in stores.

In general, when arriving (departing) from Europe, there is no point in buying alcohol in DF. This no longer seems to be a tradition.

I found it on the Internet, for Global Blue it is Vodickova 38, open Mon-Fri from 8 to 16, Sat, Sun - weekends.

I don’t understand why everyone is trying to get a refund at the airport

Thanks to everyone for the advice, but I don’t understand why everyone is trying to get a refund at the airport - losing money, if you can calmly do everything in advance in the city and get the full amount on the card.

Many simply do not know about this possibility, otherwise no one would be standing in line at the airport to receive money. Thank you for telling me about receiving money in Prague - I didn’t know about it either.

And when I flew away, it happened in different ways, and at the Pardubice airport in September of this year there was a queue for paperwork and the customs office was mischievous - they asked to present things and this also took time.

And when I flew away, it happened in different ways, and at the Pardubice airport in September of this year there was a queue for paperwork and the customs office was mischievous - they asked to present things and this also took time.

When receiving money in the city, stamps at customs must be obtained, no matter what the queues. otherwise, as correctly said above, the money will be debited from the card back

I think that's the key word here

full amount

This is of course very tempting since at the airport they will only receive almost half of the full amount :(
and then note that this probably only applies

for Global Blue

And now more and more these are other companies / forms.

and now more and more these are other companies / forms

I understand from the cheat sheet for the Czech Republic that there are 2 systems - either Global Blue or Premier Tax Free.

I don’t know what is written in the cheat sheet - I don’t read it. But now I’ve seen in many places that they simply give out a scanned sheet/A4 form. I have no idea where they get money from him.