Tax refund: reclaim VAT

Have you made purchases during your stay? Depending on the country of purchase and your situation, you may be eligible for a VAT refund. Here’s how to proceed at Genève Aéroport.

How does the tax refund process work?

VAT refunds are always completed in two steps:

1) Validate your form
Depending on your case, this is done automatically or after customs validation.

2) Receive your refund
In cash or on your bank card, depending on the option chosen.

Procedures then vary depending on the country where your purchases were made.

How to proceed?

Steps differ depending on your tax refund form (issued in-store).

Where to go?

If your purchases were made in Switzerland, no customs stamp is required.
After check-in and security screening, follow the Tax Refund signs (upstairs, to the right after Duty Free).

How to get your refund?

Cash: go to the Change Helvetic counter or the Tax Refund office.
Credit card: place your form in an open envelope in the white box located in front of the counters. The refund will be processed automatically.

ℹ️ Goods may be in your checked luggage but can be requested during inspection.

This applies if:

Your purchases were made in France
You are departing from Genève Aéroport
You have a valid boarding pass for the day

Where to go?

Before checking in your baggage, go to the France Sector with your purchases and follow the Tax Refund signs on the left to French customs (upstairs).
If your form has a barcode, scan it at a PABLO self-service kiosk for electronic validation. Otherwise, request a manual stamp from customs.
Exit the France Sector via the baggage area (Arrivals level), then return to the Check-in level to drop off your baggage.

ℹ️ If you have no checked baggage, you can go directly to your boarding gate.

How to get your refund?

Cash: after security, go to the Change Helvetic counter or Tax Refund office
Credit card: after PABLO validation, the refund is processed automatically

This applies if:

You are departing from Genève Aéroport
You have a valid boarding pass for the day

Where to go?

Before check-in, go to the France Sector with your purchases and follow the Tax Refund signs to French customs (upstairs).
Present your receipts to customs and request a manual stamp.
Then exit via the baggage area (Arrivals level) and return to the Check-in level.

How to get your refund?

Cash: after security, go to Global Exchange or the Tax Refund office
Credit card: send your forms by post. A yellow mailbox is available:
- In Arrivals, after the “Nothing to declare” exit
- At the Check-in level near the baggage wrapping service

ℹ️ Good to know:
Use one envelope per EU country of purchase. You can group purchases from the same country together.

Special cases

Swiss citizens or Swiss residence permit holders

For purchases made in the EU, you must normally obtain a stamp when leaving the European Union. If forgotten, this can still be done after returning to Switzerland.
Departures from the France Sector

Passengers departing from the France Sector do not have access to the international area.
Cash refunds are only possible for purchases made in Switzerland.
Receipts required for certain countries

Keep your receipts for purchases made in: Germany, Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Luxembourg, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Sweden.