Tax-Free Shopping and VAT Refund at Budapest Airport
Travelers from non-European countries are entitled to a refund of the local value-added tax (VAT), which in Hungary is 27% on most goods, 18% for food, and 5% for medicines and books. However, they must be permanent residents of a non-EU country to get the tax refund. Moreover, there is a minimum spending requirement at the same shop and time. Travelers must spend at least 70,001 HUF (€175.20 / $205.60). Some shops deduct the VAT at the point of sale, while others provide a form to be completed, and the refund is issued before the traveler leaves the country. In that case, customers must make sure that the form is completed correctly. To get a tax refund at Budapest Airport, travelers must be flying to a non-EU destination. If they have an onward journey within Europe, the VAT will be refunded when they exit the EU. Lastly, they must ask for the VAT refund at Budapest Airport within 90 days from the day of purchase.
Tax‑Free Shopping at Budapest Airport
There is a procedure to follow to get a tax refund at Budapest Airport. Services are typically provided by companies such as Global Blue and Premier Tax Free. Thus, refund counters are usually operated by global tax refund agencies. The steps to get a tax refund are as follows:
Check-in Procedure
Once you arrive at BUD Airport, you’ll need to check in and drop off your luggage (if you travel with hold luggage) to get your boarding pass and luggage tags. You can use the check-in counters or the self-service points, or even check in online.
Hold Luggage
If you have tax-free products in your checked baggage, you must inform the staff at the airline’s check-in counter. As soon as you collect your boarding pass and baggage tags, you won’t drop off your luggage yet. Instead, you’ll proceed to the Customs Office, located at the Departures area of T2B, right next to the check-in counters. Have you reached the Customs Office only to find out it’s unstaffed? You’ll have to call 5757. At the Customs Office (VAT Stamp Counter), you’ll be asked to present the unused and unopened goods along with the original receipts. Afterward, you’ll have the relevant forms stamped, drop off your baggage at the designated point, and head to the security screening area.
Hand Luggage
If the tax-free goods lie in your hand luggage, you’ll get your boarding pass and drop off any checked baggage at the check-in counters, and proceed to the security control. The VAT Stamp Counter is located right after the passport control of T2B. The airport staff at the counter will ask to inspect the goods, unopened and in their original packaging, along with the invoices, before stamping the tax-free form.
VAT Refund at Budapest Airport
Passengers who are eligible for a tax refund at Budapest Airport must reach one of the Interchange points, lying airside at both sections of terminal 2 (T2A and T2B). The Interchange point at T2A can actually be found at the SkyCourt area next to the Relay Bookstore, adjacent to T2A, while in T2B, it is located after the passport control. Once you get to one of those points, you must present the stamped forms to get your refund. The tax refund can be made in cash (typically in HUF, although euros may be available in some cases) or on the passenger’s credit card. In that case, the refund is usually processed within a few days. Overall, it’s important to remember that the refund service may involve a fee or commission.
Our Tip: The procedure can be time-consuming, especially during peak tourist seasons, when passenger traffic at BUD Airport increases significantly. Therefore, if you plan to claim a VAT refund at Budapest Airport, you should allow extra time to complete the necessary steps.
FAQs
Where is the Interchange Office at Budapest Airport?
There are two Interchange Offices at Budapest International Airport. One Interchange point can be found at the post-security area of T2B, right after the passport control, while the other office lies in the Skycourt, next to the Relay Bookstore and adjacent to T2A.
How to claim a tax refund at Budapest Airport?
If the tax-free products are stored inside the checked luggage, passengers must proceed to the VAT Stamp Counter, located landside right next to T2B’s check-in counters. On the other hand, the VAT Stamp Counter for hand luggage can be found airside, after the T2B’s passport control area. Once the tax-free forms are stamped, travelers must head to the Interchange points at T2B and the SkyCourt area, adjacent to T2A, and claim their refund, presenting the stamped forms.