Non-EU visitors shopping in Florence can claim up to 22% Italian VAT back on purchases over €70.01 per invoice (lowered from €154.95 in February 2024), validated at OTELLO kiosks at Florence airport (FLR) or Pisa airport (PSA) before flying outside the EU.
Florence is the birthplace of Gucci (1921) and Salvatore Ferragamo, both still headquartered on Via de' Tornabuoni. The city's compact luxury core runs from Piazza della Repubblica to the Arno along Tornabuoni and Via della Vigna Nuova, while Ponte Vecchio's medieval shopfronts house jewellers and goldsmiths whose families have worked the bridge since the 16th century. Italy's lowered €70.01 minimum brings most leather and accessory purchases into VAT-refund range.
See the full Italy VAT refund guide for eligible items and refund-location details.
| Airport | Terminals | Validation system | Hours | From city |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLR · Amerigo Vespucci (Peretola) | Single terminal | OTELLO | — | 8km northwest (Tramvia T2, 22 min from Santa Maria Novella) |
| PSA · Pisa Galileo Galilei | Single terminal | OTELLO | — | 85km west (PisaMover and Trenitalia from Florence Santa Maria Novella, about 1 hr 15 min total) |
Via de' Tornabuoni luxury core (Gucci, Ferragamo, Cartier, Hermès, Bulgari) plus Via della Vigna Nuova and Piazza della Repubblica
Medieval bridge shops occupied by goldsmiths and jewellers since 1593, plus Borgo San Jacopo on the Oltrarno side
Via Roma and Via dei Calzaiuoli mainstream pedestrian shopping plus the leather schools and markets near Mercato Centrale
Scuola del Cuoio leather school inside the basilica complex, plus artisan workshops along Via Torta and Via dell'Agnolo
Via Maggio antique galleries and traditional Florentine artisan workshops south of the Arno
Florence's luxury spine: Gucci (founded a few blocks away), Ferragamo (HQ at Palazzo Spini Feroni), Cartier, Hermès, Bulgari, Prada
Off-Tornabuoni continuation with Bottega Veneta, Loro Piana, Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, Coccinelle
Pedestrianised mainstream high street linking Duomo to Piazza della Signoria: Zara, Massimo Dutti, COS, Sephora, Sandro
16th-century bridge shops dedicated to gold, silver, and gemstones since 1593: Cassetti, Fratelli Piccini, Gioielleria Melli
Connects the Duomo area to Piazza della Repubblica with Apple, Coin department store, and Italian ready-to-wear flagships
La Rinascente Firenze department store with rooftop café and consolidated multi-brand tax-free desk
Italy lowered the VAT-refund minimum from €154.95 to €70.01 in February 2024: most leather goods and accessories now qualify
Salvatore Ferragamo's flagship at Palazzo Spini Feroni includes a museum (Museo Ferragamo) on the lower floor plus full ready-to-wear and tax-free service
Many travellers fly into Pisa (PSA) on European routes and out of Florence (FLR), or vice versa: validate at whichever airport is your last EU departure
If connecting through Rome FCO or Munich on a long-haul exit, validate OTELLO at the connecting airport, not in Florence
Ponte Vecchio jewellers operate as small family ateliers: ask explicitly for the fattura (invoice) and the tax-free form at point of sale
Scuola del Cuoio inside Santa Croce sells handmade leather goods that qualify for VAT refund; ask the front desk for the form
La Rinascente Firenze on Piazza della Repubblica is the easiest one-stop tax-free option for mixed brands
OTELLO self-service kiosks at Florence airport (FLR) or Pisa airport (PSA), depending on your departure point. Scan each tax-free form's barcode; a green check means validated. Then drop forms in operator boxes (Global Blue, Planet) or hand to the operator counter for cash refund.
€70.01 per invoice from a single retailer on the same day, lowered from €154.95 in February 2024. Multiple same-day receipts at the same store combine onto one tax-free form. La Rinascente Firenze can consolidate multi-brand purchases under one form.
Either works: both have OTELLO kiosks. Florence (FLR) is closer and handles short-haul European routes plus a few non-EU connections. Pisa (PSA) has more low-cost European volume. The system is identical at both airports; use whichever is your departure.
Yes, at most established ateliers. Ask explicitly for the fattura (invoice) and the tax-free form at point of sale, since smaller family workshops do not always offer it by default. The minimum €70.01 per invoice rule applies the same as elsewhere in Italy.
No. Italian luxury pricing is uniform across the country. Florence is Gucci's birthplace (founded 1921 on Via della Vigna Nuova), so the Tornabuoni flagship has heritage stock and personalisation services, but the price and VAT refund are the same as Milan or Rome.
Italy's 22% VAT refund applies to Milan luxury shopping over €70.01. Validate at OTELLO kiosks at Malpensa (MXP) or Linate (LIN) before flying out.
NaplesClaim up to 22% VAT back on Naples purchases over €70.01. Validate at OTELLO kiosks at Naples Capodichino Airport before departing the EU.
RomeItaly's 22% VAT refund applies to Rome purchases over €70.01. Validate at OTELLO kiosks at Fiumicino airport (FCO) terminals 1 and 3.
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