Not sure which one is yours? Look at what you paid at the till:
You paid the price without VAT → this is Real Tax Free.
You paid the full price, VAT included → this is a Tax Refund.
Your invoice also shows which case applies.
Real Tax Free: you already paid without VAT
In this case you paid only the net price in the store, so the VAT was never charged to you. There is no refund to request, because you already got the tax-free price at the moment of purchase.
To secure the operation, a pre-authorization for the VAT amount was placed on your card. This is only a hold, not a payment. No money has left your account, and the amount stays reserved until your purchase is validated at customs.
What you need to do
Validate your tax-free form at customs before you leave the EU:
Spain: scan your document at a DIVA kiosk at the airport, port, or border crossing. A green screen means your export is validated electronically, with no need for a physical stamp.
Italy: validate your form through OTELLO at the kiosk or customs point at your exit.
What happens next
Once your invoice is validated, the pre-authorization on your card is cancelled automatically. Nothing else is required from you, and you keep the full VAT, because you never paid it.
If you do not validate in time
Your export must be validated by [the end of the third month following the month of your purchase]. If it is not validated within that period, the pre-authorization will be charged and the VAT amount will be collected from your card.
Tax Refund: you paid with VAT and Stamp refunds it
In this case you paid the full price, VAT included, in the store. To get your VAT back, you complete a short refund request online and Stamp handles the rest.
Step 1. Validate your tax-free form at customs
Before leaving the EU, validate your document:
Spain: use a DIVA kiosk at the airport, port, or border.
Italy: validate through OTELLO at your exit point.
Step 2. Open your refund page
Go to your refund link: [refund link]
Step 3. Enter your details
Fill in the requested information and choose how you want to receive your refund, by card or bank account.
Step 4. Submit
Once you submit, Stamp manages the refund for you.
How much you receive
Your refund is the VAT amount minus Stamp's service fee, which is deducted automatically. You will see the exact amount before you confirm.
When you receive it
Refunds are processed once your export is validated. You can expect the amount within 30 days, depending on your chosen payment method.
Good to know
Keep your invoice and tax-free form until your refund is complete or your pre-authorization is released.
Customs validation is required in both cases. Without it the VAT cannot be refunded, and for Real Tax Free the pre-authorization will be charged.
If you have any trouble validating your form or receiving your refund, contact us at [support contact] and we will help.