How does VAT work in Paris?

The standard VAT rate in France is 20%. It applies to most goods and services. The two reduced VAT rates are 10% and 5.5%. The super-reduced rate is 2.1%. France also has some zero-rated goods, the sale of which must still be reported on your VAT return, even though no VAT is charged.



Value-Added Tax (VAT), known in France as TVA, is a consumption tax already included in the displayed price of almost all goods and services in Paris. The standard rate is 20%. For tourists residing outside the European Union, there is a significant benefit: you can claim a VAT refund (Détaxe) on tangible goods like fashion, electronics, and cosmetics. To qualify in 2026, you must spend over €100 in a single store on the same day. When shopping, you must present your physical passport and ask for a "Tax-Free Form." Before leaving the EU (usually at Charles de Gaulle airport), you must validate these forms at a PABLO kiosk before checking your bags. The refund—typically 12% to 15% after administrative fees—is then credited to your card or paid in cash. Note that VAT on services like hotels, restaurants, and museum tickets is not refundable for tourists, as these are "consumed" within the country.

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And there is typically a minimum amount you have to spend in a store to qualify — as of November 2023, the minimum in the EU is 175 Euros. So it's usually high-ticket items, like jewelry or fine clothing, that qualify for a VAT refund, not a paperback novel or suntan lotion.

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For an immediate VAT refund, you should present all your documents at the tax refund desk at the airport, the port or the train station from which you are departing. Otherwise, you must send the documents by post to a tax refund office such as Detaxe SAS, Global Blue France or Detaxe.com.

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As a non-EU resident, if you purchase duty-free items in France to take back to your home country, you are eligible for reimbursement of the VAT.

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You should take your refund forms, receipts, and the items you bought with you to a VAT office at the airport. Allow enough time before your flight departs. If the merchant didn't give you an instant refund, you might get your tax refund at the last stop before you leave the EU.

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In the European Union, it means that you can only claim a tax refund when you're actually leaving the EU zone - you won't be able to claim a refund of the VAT if you're only traveling between two EU countries.

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