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HOME > OUR SERVICES > VAT & TAX > INTRA-EU VAT REFUND

Intra-EU VAT refund: quickly recover your foreign VAT in the European Union

HAS YOUR COMPANY PAID VAT IN ANOTHER EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATE?
ASD GROUP ASSISTS YOU IN THE FAST AND SECURE RECOVERY OF YOUR VAT CREDITS ABROAD.

The principle of the intra-EU VAT refund

The intra-EU VAT refund allows businesses established in the European Union or outside the EU to recover VAT paid in a country where they are not registered.

Procedures vary depending on whether the business falls under the 8th or 13th European Directive, and deduction conditions differ from one Member State to another.

Between invoice verification, analysis of deductible expenses, compliance with local rules and exchanges with foreign tax authorities, the procedure can quickly become complex.

ASD Group handles all your procedures to secure and accelerate the refund of your foreign VAT.

DO NOT TAKE RISKS!

ENTRUST YOUR VAT REFUND TO OUR EXPERTS AND FOCUS ON YOUR BUSINESS!
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What are the conditions for an intra-EU VAT refund?

The foreign VAT refund is only possible if the following conditions are met:

During the period covered by the refund application, the business has not carried out any transaction for which it is liable for VAT in that State (excluding imports) that would require it to register for VAT.

The VAT has been duly invoiced by the supplier or service provider.

The VAT relates to expenses for the purchase of goods or services used for transactions giving entitlement to deduction.

The VAT does not relate to expenses for which VAT deduction is excluded by local regulations.

The principle of VAT refund in the European Union

Recovering VAT paid in another EU Member State is not automatic: strict conditions must be met and procedures vary depending on several factors. The rules vary in particular according to:The rules vary in particular according to:

The country where the company is established

Depending on whether the company is established in the EU or outside the EU, the applicable procedure (8th or 13th Directive) differs and influences the way the application is submitted.

The country in which the VAT is claimed

Each Member State has its own rules for refunds, deadlines and documentary requirements, which must be scrupulously observed.

The nature of the expenses

Only certain business expenses qualify for recovery: purchases of goods or services related to the company’s activity and eligible for deduction under local regulations.

Reciprocity agreements

The refund also depends on agreements between States: some countries require specific conditions or the appointment of a fiscal representative.

Why apply for a foreign VAT refund?

Some companies pay VAT in another EU Member State without being able to deduct it directly. Recovering this VAT allows you to optimise your costs and secure your international operations. You are concerned if your company carries out one of the following operations:

Purchase of goods temporarily stored in another country

If you purchase goods in an EU Member State for temporary storage or use, the VAT on these purchases can be recovered under certain conditions.

Business travel (hotels, fuel, tolls)

Expenses incurred for business travel abroad, such as accommodation, fuel or tolls, may qualify for a VAT refund.

Services performed outside your State of establishment

Services provided by foreign suppliers (consultants, subcontractors, transport, etc.) may generate recoverable VAT credits.

Participation in trade fairs abroad

The VAT paid on expenses related to stand rental, trade fair registration or event organisation can be recovered if these expenses are business-related.

What are the steps for VAT refund in the European Union?

Recovering VAT paid in another EU Member State involves several precise steps. Each must be carried out rigorously to ensure the success of the application and avoid any rejection or delay. ASD Group supports you at every stage to secure your VAT credits.

01
Audit of flows and analysis of recoverable expenses

Before any action, we analyse your transactions and identify expenses eligible for refund in order to maximise your VAT credits.

02
Verification of supporting documents

We check all necessary invoices and documents to ensure they comply with mandatory mentions and local requirements.

03
Preparation and submission of the application

Our experts prepare the refund application in accordance with the rules of the relevant Member State and submit it to the tax authorities.

04
Exchanges with the local tax authorities

The refund also depends on agreements between States: some countries require specific conditions or the appointment of a fiscal representative.

05
Obtaining the refund

We monitor your file until the actual payment of the recovered VAT, guaranteeing you a complete and secure process.

Issues and challenges of intra-Community VAT refund

Recovering VAT in another Member State may seem straightforward, but for a non-expert company, numerous constraints and risks can complicate the procedure. Identifying these issues from the outset helps secure the process and avoid financial losses.

Complexity of local regulations

Each EU country has its own tax rules, deadlines and required documents, which can make the procedure difficult to understand for non-experts.

Deadlines and risks of application rejection

An error in submission or a missing document can lead to rejection of the refund application and delay VAT recovery.

Possible obligation to appoint a fiscal representative

In some countries such as France, only a company represented by an accredited fiscal representative can submit the application, otherwise the refund is impossible.

Regulatory developments

You need continuous monitoring and adaptation to the frequent changes in tax regulations.

Periodic declarations and payments

You need to regularly file VAT returns and make the corresponding payments.

Time and resources

You have the need to devote significant time and resources to managing your own activities while delegating the management of your tax obligations remotely.

Verification and compliance of invoices

Invoices must include precise mentions to be accepted; an error can block the refund or result in a refusal.

Complex administrative monitoring

Exchanges with the foreign tax authorities require time, responsiveness and precise knowledge of the procedures.

Financial risks and penalties

Poor management or incorrect submission can lead to the loss of recoverable VAT and, in some cases, penalties.

Network of 20 offices
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Presence in 18 countries
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client companies in industry, retail, e-commerce...
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How does ASD Group facilitate your VAT formalities thanks to its experts?

ASD Group simplifies your administrative and regulatory procedures by providing you with a team of qualified VAT experts. Thanks to their in-depth knowledge of local and international regulations, they support you at every stage, thus allowing you to save time, avoid costly errors and focus on developing your business.

Gathering information and documents

We collect all necessary documents from the client, such as company registration certificates, contact information, and details of business operations. We obtain the necessary authorisations to act on the client’s behalf with the local tax authorities.

Registration with the tax authorities

We submit the required registration forms to the tax authorities of the country concerned. We ensure that the client is correctly registered for VAT and other relevant taxes.

Assessment of tax and VAT obligations

We analyse the client’s business transactions to determine specific tax obligations as well as invoices. We identify applicable VAT rates and other tax requirements depending on the type of goods or services supplied.

Submission of VAT refund applications

We prepare and submit VAT refund applications in accordance with local requirements.

Support during audits

As your fiscal representative, we support you during audits by preparing documents, managing interactions with inspectors, and ensuring compliance with regulations, thereby minimising the risk of penalties.

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Reasons to call on ASD Group

Expertise

Our team of tax experts specialised in intra-Community VAT is at your disposal to provide expert advice and personalised support.

Reliability

A guarantee of work quality and the security of your operations to protect your operations and minimise risks.

Digitalisation

We develop our own specific software enabling flow and threshold control, electronic data management, deadline reminders etc... All are available on our 100% online multiservice platform MyASD.

Know-how

Our know-how enables us to be a trusted interlocutor of European tax authorities for over 20 years, guaranteeing your activities in the EU and your reputation with European tax services.

Responsiveness

We respond to all client requests within a period of 48 working hours, guaranteeing smooth and effective communication throughout the process.

Constant regulatory monitoring

Our experts maintain constant monitoring of regulatory developments, allowing you to stay informed and adapt quickly to changes.

Dedicated advisor

Each client is assigned a dedicated account manager who supports them throughout their journey with us, ensuring personalised service and a relationship of trust.

Choose our tax representation solutions
in these countries now!

In the European Union

drapeau-rond-allemagne

German VAT refund – 8th Directive

German VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-autriche

Austrian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Austrian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-belgique

Belgian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Belgian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-bulgarie

Bulgarian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Bulgarian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-chypre

Cypriot VAT refund – 8th Directive

Cypriot VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-croatie

Croatian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Croatian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-danemark

Danish VAT refund – 8th Directive

Danish VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-espagne

Spanish VAT refund – 8th Directive

Spanish VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-estonie

Estonian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Estonian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-finlande

Finnish VAT refund – 8th Directive

Finnish VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-france

French VAT refund – 8th Directive

French VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-grece

Greek VAT refund – 8th Directive

Greek VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-hongrie

Hungarian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Hungarian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-irlande

Irish VAT refund – 8th Directive

Irish VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-italie

Italian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Italian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-lettonie

Latvian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Latvian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-lituanie

Lithuanian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Lithuanian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-luxembourg

Luxembourg VAT refund – 8th Directive

Luxembourg VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-malte

Maltese VAT refund – 8th Directive

Maltese VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-pays-bas

Dutch VAT refund – 8th Directive

Dutch VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-pologne

Polish VAT refund – 8th Directive

Polish VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-portugal

Portuguese VAT refund – 8th Directive

Portuguese VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-republique-tcheque

Czech VAT refund – 8th Directive

Czech VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-roumanie

Romanian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Romanian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-slovaquie

Slovak VAT refund – 8th Directive

Slovak VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-slovenie

Slovenian VAT refund – 8th Directive

Slovenian VAT refund – 13th Directive

drapeau-rond-suede

Swedish VAT refund – 8th Directive

Swedish VAT refund – 13th Directive

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