Tax-free shopping grows 10%. Brazil, the US, and Angola lead the way

Tax-free purchases increased last year. The nearly 900,000 invoices registered by foreign visitors to the country resulted in a recognized total of 86 million euros in VAT exemptions. Brazilian, American, and Angolan tourists lead the way, representing, together with China, more than half of the certified invoices.

"In 2024, more than 889,000 invoices were certified," states the 2024 Report on Combating Tax and Customs Fraud and Evasion. This number represents an 8.2% increase compared to the total number of invoices registered in the previous year, adds the document prepared by the office of the Secretary of State for Tax Affairs and submitted to Parliament.

These invoices correspond to “a total recognized value of VAT exemptions of approximately 86 million euros”, a 10% increase in the number compared to the previous year when VAT exemptions were around 78 million euros.

In both 2023 and 2024, Brazil, the United States, and Angola stand out among the more than 200 nationalities that made purchases in Portugal and then requested a VAT refund. "Nationals of Brazil, the United States, Angola, and China, a total of 254 nationalities, account for, in this order, more than half of the invoices certified in e-Taxfree," the report states.

“ More than 65% of the value of purchases with VAT , which were subject to certification in e-Taxfree by country of residence, were made by residents in Brazil, the United States, Angola, China and the United Kingdom , in that order,” the document adds.

The nearly 90,000 travelers from Brazil lead the way in tax-free shopping, accounting for 22%. However, American tourists, the nationality with the highest growth in visits to Portugal in 2024, according to INE data, are the highest spenders, on average, among the top three nationalities.

According to the same report, while the average value of VAT-inclusive purchases by Brazilian tourists is 392 euros, this figure rises to 1,077 euros for those in the US. Angolans spend, on average, 360 euros. Chinese tourists, in fourth place, spend the most (1,657 euros) among all nationalities.

Lisbon Airport is where you can do most tax-free shopping.

The report also indicates that "Lisbon airport is by far the largest departure point for certified invoices, accounting for approximately three-quarters of the total value of certified invoices." In total, 230,610 travelers made tax-free purchases at the capital's airport, with the total value including VAT exceeding €342 million last year.

Porto Airport accounts for 7% of the total value of certified invoices, with the total including VAT amounting to around €35 ​​million. Faro Airport comes next, accounting for 2% and totaling VAT of over €7 million.

Last year saw renewed growth in traffic at Portuguese airports, with the number of passengers transported reaching around 69.2 million. During this period, Lisbon Airport broke records again, reaching 35.1 million passengers.