Get up to 19% back on KaDeWe in Europe with your VAT refund. Hermès bags, Chanel ready-to-wear, Dior beauty & fashion. Berlin flagship.
Kaufhaus des Westens (“Department Store of the West”) opened in 1907 by businessman Adolf Jandorf, bringing Parisian fashion and exotic foods to Berlin. After World War II, KaDeWe became a powerful symbol of West Germany’s Wirtschaftswunder economic boom and the material prosperity of West Berlin versus the East. With over 60,000 square meters of retail space and 380,000 articles, it is the second-largest department store in Europe after Harrods, attracting 40,000-50,000 visitors daily. In 2015, Bangkok-based Central Group acquired KaDeWe, and in recent years the store has shifted heavily toward luxury, considerably increasing designer goods while reducing accessible brands. The famous 6th and 7th floor food halls span “two football fields,” with 110 cooks and 40 bakers supplying 35 gourmet counters.
KaDeWe offers Germany's €50 VAT minimum with 15% refunds, making it good for luxury shopping. The store's shift toward ultra-luxury brands means shopping here rivals Paris and Milan quality. For the lowest threshold in Europe, shop in Spain (no minimum).
Tauentzienstraße flagship since 1907, gourmet hall on top floor
Tauentzienstraße 21-24, 10789 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 21210
€25
19% standard rate
12-14% back
3 months to validate at departure
Ground floor "Luxury Boulevard" features Hermès, Chanel, Gucci, Dior, and Tiffany—Berlin's highest concentration of luxury brands
The 6th floor food hall is legendary—truffle cheeses, fresh seafood, rare wines, and handcrafted chocolates described as "out of this world"
Germany offers a €50 VAT minimum with 15% refund—making KaDeWe ideal for multiple smaller luxury purchases
Visit the Monaco Cafe with stunning views, or book services like the wedding gift service, personal tailoring, or beauty lounges
Fashion floors: Men (1st), Women (2nd), Children & Women's Shoes (3rd), Home & Toys (4th), Electronics & Books (5th)
No. VAT refunds are only available for in-store purchases made in Europe. Online orders shipped internationally are already VAT-exempt.
High-value items (typically over €1,000) may require physical inspection at customs. Keep your purchase in carry-on luggage, not checked bags.
You must validate your VAT refund at your last EU point of departure, not your final destination.
With TravelMoney, refunds are processed instantly once validated at customs. Standard tax-free services can take 4-12 weeks.
Join TravelMoney and start saving on KaDeWe purchases.