Unofficial traveler guide

Claim your Tourist VAT Refund in Saudi Arabia (Tax Free)

Unofficial guide for travelers: Saudi Arabia VAT refund eligibility, minimum spend, customs validation, and airport refund steps.

The numbers at a glance

15%Standard VAT rate

Up to 11%Refunded after the service fee

SAR 500Minimum purchase to qualify

90 daysMaximum from purchase to departure

Who is eligible

You are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
You are 18 years or older at the time of purchase.
You are not a member of the cabin crew or crew of a flight, aircraft, ship or any other means of transport departing the Kingdom.
You are not included in any list that prevents you from recovering VAT.

Three steps to claim your refund

Go shopping

Buy from authorized stores (shopping is usually done in malls and stores outside the airport, or at departure points). Make sure the shop is approved by Global Blue and look for the Global Blue logo inside or outside the store.
Before you pay, show the authorized shop staff your passport or GCC ID (or an electronic copy of either).
Ask for the tax-free form and check that your details are filled in on it.
Only the person who pays in store can request the form and receive the refund.
Purchases made for business or commercial purposes do not qualify.

Get customs validation

At designated airports and departure points, go to the self-validation kiosk.
Scan your passport at the kiosk to retrieve your tax-free transaction details.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the validation.
Keep your purchases out of checked-in luggage, as you may be asked to present the goods and the original invoice.
Allow enough time for the process before your flight departs.

Receive your refund

Choose your preferred refund method during validation.
For a card or digital refund, the card or wallet must be issued outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Card and digital refunds usually arrive within 3 business days, though the card issuer may add delays.
For cash, go to an approved refund operator at your exit point, after immigration.

Before you finish: keep your documents

Before you send or hand over any document, make a copy and write down the form number for your reference.
Keep your original invoices with your purchases until the refund is complete.

What qualifies and what does not

Refundable

Goods bought from merchants authorized for tax-free shopping.
Kept unused and exported in your personal luggage.

Not refundable

Vehicles, boats and aircraft.
Food and beverages.
Oil, gas and their derivatives.
Tobacco and assimilated products.

Services excluded

Hotel stays.
Restaurant meals.

Refunds are paid only on eligible goods that stay unused and leave the Kingdom in your personal luggage.

Find what you need

Approved stores map Find a store near you Customs validation offices Where to validate your form Refund offices Where to collect your refund

Get the Global Blue tax-free app

Track your refunds and keep your forms in one place.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the VAT in Saudi Arabia?

The standard VAT rate is 15%. After the service fee, the amount refunded to the traveler can reach up to 11%.

What is the minimum purchase to get a refund?

SAR 500 on a single invoice. Combining multiple invoices to reach that amount is not permitted.

How long do I have to leave the Kingdom?

The period between the purchase date and your departure must not exceed 90 days, and the same 90-day limit applies to validating your refund request.

Can I refund hotel stays or restaurant meals?

No. Services such as hotel stays and restaurant meals are excluded from the refund.

Can I put my purchases in checked-in luggage?

No. Keep the goods with you and unused, as you may be required to present them along with the original invoice at a customs validation office.

How is the refund paid?

You choose the method during validation. Card and digital wallet refunds go to an instrument issued outside the Kingdom, usually within 3 business days. Cash is collected from an approved refund operator after immigration.

Is there a limit on cash refunds?

Yes, cash refunds are limited to SAR 5,000 per person per day.

Can someone else request the refund for my purchases?

No. Only the person who paid in store can request the tax-free form and receive the refund.

Disclaimer

This website is an unofficial awareness guide intended to help travelers. It does not represent a government entity or the official operator of the service.