Budapest
- Tourist
Information - Taxes
VAT
Refund and Tax-Free Shopping
In
Hungary there is a 20% tax on all goods (except a 5% tax which is applied on some
goods and services such as medicinals, some medical goods and goods for disabled,
etc.) called ÁFA (Value Added Tax), which is included in the price. Look
for the Tax-Free Shopping icon when you buy, as non-resident travelers may apply
for a refund of up to 16% of VAT on goods purchased in Hungary (with the exception
of works of art, collections and antiques) under the following conditions:
-
The total sum of the bill (VAT included) must be at least 50,000 HUF.
- Not
more than 90 days may elapse between the time of purchase and the time of export.
- The goods must be taken out of the country in new condition (that is, they
may not be used in Hungary).
Upon
finishing your purchase, ask the shop assistant for your fiscal receipt, VAT Reclaim
Form (which is your export and tax refund document) and a Tax-Free envelope which
will show the refund offices, where you can receive your refund in cash. Note
that a service charge is deducted when the refund amount is calculated.
Enclose
the official receipt (be sure to keep your receipts from changing money into Hungarian
Forints) or the credit card receipt to the documents. Make sure to have all documents
stamped by Hungarian Customs before leaving Hungary, otherwise refund will be
not possible.
You
can choose from the following options to get your refund:
-
You may receive your VAT refund in cash immediately at the airport (look for the
VAT refund desk at the IBUSZ office and go to the customs office immediately after
receiving your boarding pass at check-in and before you pass security control),
or
- You may receive it transferred to your bank or credit card account, or
- You may receive a bank cheque sent to sent to your home address.
If
you don't want to take the refund in cash at the border, please mail all original
documents (VAT invoice, VAT refund form, exchange or credit card receipt) in the
Tax-Free envelope. Mail refunds must be requested no more than 6 months after
date of purchase.
For
further information: Global Refund
Website: www.globalrefund.com
E-mail: taxfree@us.globalrefund.com
