Brexit changed the rules in your favor
Before 1 January 2021, UK residents were part of the EU. No VAT refund on French purchases.
Since Brexit, the UK sits outside the EU. French law treats UK residents as non-EU travelers. The 20% VAT you pay on purchases in France can be refunded.
Who qualifies
- You live in the United Kingdom. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. A British passport or proof of UK residency works.
- You're buying for personal use. Not for resale.
- You spend at least €100.01 (TTC) in a single visit to one store (or combined across Belcova partner stores).
- You leave the EU within 3 months of purchase with the goods.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a special status under the Brexit protocol. For goods, it stays aligned with EU rules. Northern Ireland residents qualify for détaxe in France because the UK as a whole is outside the EU.
How much you get back
Standard French VAT is 20%. The refund operator takes a cut.
| Purchase | VAT included | Refund (traditional operator, 55%) | Refund (Belcova, 80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £200 (~€235) | ~€39 | ~€21 | ~€31 |
| £500 (~€590) | ~€98 | ~€54 | ~€79 |
| £1,000 (~€1,175) | ~€196 | ~€108 | ~€157 |
A weekend shopping trip to Paris with £1,000 in purchases gets you €108 to €157 back, depending on the operator.
The process
1. At the store
Show your British passport at checkout. The retailer creates a digital tax refund form. Check that the passport number is correct before you leave the store.
With Belcova, you can shop at any store. Ask for a receipt, photograph it in the app.
2. Before leaving the EU
Eurostar (Gare du Nord): PABLO kiosks sit in the departure control area. Scan your form before crossing to the UK side. Hours: 06:00 to 21:00.
By air (CDG, Orly): scan at a PABLO kiosk in the departure terminal. See our CDG PABLO kiosk guide for terminal-by-terminal locations.
By ferry (Calais, Dunkirk): PABLO kiosks are available at the ferry terminal. Scan before boarding.
Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel): kiosks are available at the Calais/Coquelles terminal.
3. Get your refund
After PABLO validation: 3 to 5 business days (Belcova) or 10 to 15 days (traditional operators). The transfer arrives in euros on your card. Your UK bank converts to pounds at the day's rate.
Where Brits shop most in France
Paris. Weekend trips, same-day Eurostar returns. Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché, luxury boutiques.
Calais and the Opal Coast. Groceries, wine, spirits. Cité Europe in Calais is a shopping center 5 minutes from the tunnel. The €100.01 threshold is met in a single supermarket trip.
Nice and the Côte d'Azur. Summer holidays, luxury purchases. PABLO kiosks at Nice airport cover return flights to the UK.
Bordeaux, Lyon, Strasbourg. Budget airline routes from the UK. Wine, food, fashion.
What's different for UK tourists
Nothing legally. The process is identical for all non-EU residents. Passport, form, PABLO kiosk, refund.
The practical difference: many Brits make frequent trips (Eurostar, ferry, tunnel). You can claim on every visit. No frequency limit.
Currency conversion: your refund arrives in euros. Conversion fees depend on your bank. Digital banks (Monzo, Revolut, Starling) use the interbank rate with no markup. Traditional banks charge 1.5 to 3%.
FAQ
I have an Irish passport but live in England. Am I eligible? Yes. Détaxe depends on where you live, not your nationality. If you reside in the UK, you qualify with proof of residency.
I'm taking the Eurostar. Where and when do I scan? At Gare du Nord, in the departure control zone. PABLO kiosks are open 06:00 to 21:00. Allow 10 extra minutes before boarding.
Are supermarket purchases eligible? Yes. Food, wine, pharmacy cosmetics. All physical goods above €100.01 qualify. See our guide to tax refunds on groceries.
I'm doing a day trip through the Channel Tunnel. Does it work? Yes. Scan at the Calais/Coquelles terminal before entering the tunnel. Your form is valid from the moment it's created.
Does détaxe apply in Belgium too? Yes, but with a different operator and Belgian rules. French détaxe covers purchases in France only. Belgian purchases require a separate claim with a Belgian operator.
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