How can I avoid paying VAT?
How can I avoid paying VAT? Shipping your purchases home directly from the retailer is another way to avoid paying VAT, but the added cost may outweigh any savings.
What qualifies for VAT refund?
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.