Designer Outlet Algarve | Tax Free Shopping

Save even more with

Tax Free Shopping

The Designer Outlet Algarve allows you to save even more on your purchases through the Tax Free Shopping service. If you reside outside the European Union, you may request a refund of part of the tax paid on your purchases, available in stores affiliated with Tax Free operators. For greater convenience, the Information Centre features a Global Blue instant refund kiosk, where you can process your refund quickly and easily.

By using the Tax Free service, you may benefit from a tax refund of up to 15% on items subject to the standard VAT rate, with a minimum purchase value of €61.50 per receipt (single purchase, not cumulative). Tax Free is valid for all purchases made in Portugal, provided that the applicable legal requirements are met.

How Tax Free Shopping Works

STEP 1

Go Shopping

Visit Designer Outlet Algarve and in the shops ask for the Tax Free form at the time of payment and fill in all the required information and keep the form.

STEP 2

Go to the Designer Outlet Algarve Information Centre

Go to our Global Blue kiosk in the Information Centre, show your passport and credit card and choose whether you want to receive the amount by credit card or in cash and get your refund.

STEP 3

Obtain validation from Customs

In order for the process to be completed, before leaving the European Union, with your travel documents (passport +boarding pass) go to the Customs Kiosk with all your proof of purchase to validate the process.

Participating Stores

Global Blue – Instant Tax Free Refund

Enhance your shopping experience by using the Global Blue instant refund service available at the Information Centre of Designer Outlet Algarve. To make the process simpler and faster, we invite you to complete a brief data collection with Global Blue in advance. This step allows your personal details to be pre-filled on the Tax Free form, ensuring a more efficient and convenient shopping experience. Learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions – Global Blue Instant Refund Kiosk

WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THE TAX FREE REFUND?

- Passport (preferably) or another valid ID (for citizens of European countries outside the EU)

- Minimum purchase value of €61.50 per receipt

- To obtain a refund at the Global Blue Kiosk, presenting a passport and credit card is mandatory

CAN SOMEONE ELSE PROCESS TAX FREE ON MY BEHALF?
No. The Tax Free process must be carried out personally by the purchaser.

HOW DO I RECEIVE THE VAT REFUND?
Refunds can be made via: Cash, Credit Card, Alipay

AFTER RECEIVING THE REFUND AT THE GLOBAL BLUE KIOSK, IS CUSTOMS VALIDATION REQUIRED?
Yes. Refunds issued at the Information Centre kiosk are advance refunds. The Tax Free form must be validated by customs before leaving the European Union, within 21 days of the refund.

HOW TO OBTAIN CUSTOMS VALIDATION?

- If leaving the EU from Portugal (Faro, Lisbon, or Porto airports), validate your Tax Free form at the customs kiosk at the airport

- If leaving from another EU country, validation must be obtained in the last EU country of exit, and the stamped form sent to Global Blue using the envelope provided by the store

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE AT AIRPORT CUSTOMS?
After check-in, go to the customs area with:

- The ID used at purchase (passport)

- Boarding pass

- Tax Free forms

- Purchased items and invoices (if requested)

Validation is done via digital certification at the customs kiosk by scanning the passport and boarding pass, which may result in:

- “OK” Validation – successfully completed

- “Not OK” Validation – in-person validation at the customs desk or manual validation required

HOW CAN I RECEIVE THE REFUND AFTER CUSTOMS VALIDATION?
Two options:

- Visit a Global Blue Kiosk (Faro, Lisbon, or Porto airports) or the Global Blue Counter (Terminal 1, Lisbon Airport)

- Send the validated Tax Free form with your credit card number to:
Global Blue, P.O. Box 363, 810 00 Bratislava, Slovakia