COS
Complete VAT Refund Guide for Europe
Planning to shop at COS in Europe? This comprehensive guide shows you exactly how to maximize your VAT refund savings, where to find COS stores across Europe, and insider tips to get the most money back on your purchases.
About COS
COS (Collection of Style) launched in March 2007 on London's Regent Street with a catwalk show at the Royal Academy, marking 60 years since the first Hennes store opened. As H&M Group's first portfolio brand beyond H&M itself, COS was designed to offer minimalist, architecture-inspired fashion at accessible prices. The brand's philosophy is rooted in Scandinavian aesthetics: clean lines, timeless silhouettes, premium materials (cashmere, silk, leather), and zero logos. COS launched its online store in 2011, expanding beyond physical retail. For the past 3-4 years, COS has pursued ambitious repositioning to compete with contemporary brands like Acne Studios, The Row, Arket, and Jil Sander. In April 2025, COS returned to the runway for its first-ever fashion show in Athens, presenting Spring/Summer 2025 in the cavernous Dionyssomarble Quarry. The brand also launched collaborations with actor Adrien Brody and debuted its first perfume in 2025. COS now operates 300+ stores in 40+ countries, offering precision tailoring, softly sculptured silhouettes, and deconstructed sensibility for discerning customers who value quality over trends.
Signature Products & Prices
Cashmere Knitwear
€150–€300
Tailored Blazers (Wool/Linen)
€150–€250
Silk Blouses & Dresses
€100–€200
Leather Accessories (Bags, Belts)
€80–€250
Architectural Coats
€200–€400
Why Shop COS in Europe?
COS is a European brand (H&M Group, founded in London) designed for European tastes and body types. European stores offer the widest selection, earliest access to new collections, and exclusive European-market styles. Germany's €25 VAT minimum makes tax-free COS shopping accessible—spend just €25 and get 15% back. London's Regent Street flagship showcases the brand's full vision: architecture-inspired retail spaces with minimalist displays. Stockholm stores reflect COS' Scandinavian DNA with Nordic design curation. Shopping in Europe means supporting the brand's original minimalist philosophy: premium materials, timeless design, no logos, and Scandinavian restraint.
Best Cities to Shop COS
London
Brand birthplace—Regent Street flagship, largest selection, 2007 original store
Stockholm
Scandinavian heritage—Nordic minimalism, H&M Group headquarters
Berlin
Germany's €25 VAT minimum (lowest in Europe), contemporary fashion capital
Why Shop COS with TravelMoney
Up to 100% VAT Refunds
Get significantly more money back compared to standard 12% refunds
15 COS Locations
Across 9 European cities
Instant Refunds
No waiting weeks for your money back
Digital Process
Upload receipts, scan at airport, done
COS Store Locations in Europe
Amsterdam
COS De 9 Straatjes
Hartenstraat, 23, 1016 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 18:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 18:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 18:00
thursday: 10:00 - 21:00
friday: 10:00 - 18:00
saturday: 10:00 - 18:00
sunday: 12:00 - 18:00
COS Grachtengordel
Leidsestraat, 20-22, 1017 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 18:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 18:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 18:00
thursday: 10:00 - 21:00
friday: 10:00 - 18:00
saturday: 10:00 - 18:00
sunday: 12:00 - 18:00
Barcelona
COS Passeig de Gràcia
Passeig de Gràcia, 27, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 21:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 21:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 21:00
thursday: 10:00 - 21:00
friday: 10:00 - 21:00
saturday: 10:00 - 21:00
sunday: 11:00 - 20:00
Berlin
COS Mitte Friedrichstraße
Friedrichstraße, 83, 10117 Berlin, Germany
📞 +49 30 20058841
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 20:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 20:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 20:00
thursday: 10:00 - 20:00
friday: 10:00 - 20:00
saturday: 10:00 - 20:00
sunday: Closed
COS Mitte Schönhauser
Neue Schönhauser Straße, 20, 10178 Berlin, Germany
📞 +49 30 27572041
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 20:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 20:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 20:00
thursday: 10:00 - 20:00
friday: 10:00 - 20:00
saturday: 10:00 - 20:00
sunday: Closed
Lisbon
COS Avenida da Liberdade
Avenida da Liberdade, 67C, 1250-144 Lisbon, Portugal
📞 +351 217 009 030
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 20:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 20:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 20:00
thursday: 10:00 - 20:00
friday: 10:00 - 20:00
saturday: 10:00 - 20:00
sunday: 10:00 - 19:00
Madrid
COS Salamanca
Calle de Claudio Coello, 53-55, 28001 Madrid, Spain
📞 +34 919 16 13 25
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 21:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 21:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 21:00
thursday: 10:00 - 21:00
friday: 10:00 - 21:00
saturday: 10:00 - 21:00
sunday: 12:00 - 20:00
COS Fuencarral
Calle Fuencarral, 16, 28004 Madrid, Spain
📞 +34 919 16 13 29
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 21:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 21:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 21:00
thursday: 10:00 - 21:00
friday: 10:00 - 21:00
saturday: 10:00 - 21:00
sunday: 12:00 - 20:00
Marseille
COS Rue Francis Davso
27 Rue Francis Davso, 13001 Marseille, France
Milan
COS Duomo
Corso Venezia, 5, 20121 Milano, Italy
📞 +39 02 3602 0020
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 20:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 20:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 20:00
thursday: 10:00 - 20:00
friday: 10:00 - 20:00
saturday: 10:00 - 20:00
sunday: 11:00 - 19:00
Paris
COS Le Marais
4 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 20:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 20:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 20:00
thursday: 10:00 - 20:00
friday: 10:00 - 20:00
saturday: 10:00 - 20:00
sunday: 11:00 - 20:00
COS Saint-Germain
3 Rue de Grenelle, 75006 Paris, France
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 19:30
tuesday: 10:00 - 19:30
wednesday: 10:00 - 19:30
thursday: 10:00 - 19:30
friday: 10:00 - 19:30
saturday: 10:00 - 19:30
sunday: 11:00 - 19:00
COS Opéra
9 Rue Tronchet, 75008 Paris, France
📞 +33 1 42 66 36 86
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 19:30
tuesday: 10:00 - 19:30
wednesday: 10:00 - 19:30
thursday: 10:00 - 19:30
friday: 10:00 - 19:30
saturday: 10:00 - 19:30
sunday: 11:00 - 19:00
COS Bastille
18 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris, France
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 19:30
tuesday: 10:00 - 19:30
wednesday: 10:00 - 19:30
thursday: 10:00 - 19:30
friday: 10:00 - 19:30
saturday: 10:00 - 19:30
sunday: 11:00 - 19:00
Rome
COS Spagna
Via Borgognona, 36, 00187 Roma, Italy
📞 +39 06 3283 2707
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 19:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 19:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 19:00
thursday: 10:00 - 19:00
friday: 10:00 - 19:00
saturday: 10:00 - 19:00
sunday: 11:00 - 19:00
How Much Can You Save?
VAT Refund Examples
Purchase: €1,000 → Get back €120-150 (standard refund) or up to €180 (TravelMoney)
Purchase: €5,000 → Get back €600-750 (standard refund) or up to €900 (TravelMoney)
Purchase: €10,000 → Get back €1,200-1,500 (standard refund) or up to €1,800 (TravelMoney)
How to Get Your VAT Refund: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Before making a purchase
Request Custom Invoice
When checking out at COS, request the invoice to be made out to "Travel Money" with our Paris address. This is critical for maximizing your refund.
Step 2: When making a purchase
Pay in Local Currency
Always choose to pay in euros (€) instead of your home currency to avoid poor exchange rates and maximize savings.
Step 3: After shopping
Upload Invoice & Receipt
Immediately upload your COS invoice and receipt in the TravelMoney app. Don't wait until you get to the airport.
Step 4: When leaving the EU
Scan Barcode at Point of Departure
At the airport, port, or train station, scan the barcode on your TravelMoney app at customs. Bring your COS purchase in carry-on for potential inspection.
VAT Refund Essentials
Core Requirements
- Minimum Spend: €100.01 in total purchase value
- Eligibility: Non-EU permanent residents, under 6-month stay, purchasing goods for personal use
- Time limits: 3 months to validate at point of departure + 6 months to claim refund
- VAT Rate: 20% standard rate (most luxury goods)
Pro Tips for COS Shoppers
- →Germany has €25 VAT minimum (lowest in Europe)—easiest country for COS tax-free shopping
- →London flagship on Regent Street is the original store—largest selection, frequent restocks
- →COS uses premium materials at fraction of designer prices—cashmere sweaters €150 vs €600+ elsewhere
- →Fit runs European (slimmer than US brands)—try in-store if possible, especially for tailoring
- →End-of-season sales (January, July) offer 30-50% off—stock up on timeless basics
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get VAT refund on COS online purchases?
No. VAT refunds are only available for in-store purchases made in Europe. Online orders shipped internationally are already VAT-exempt.
Do I need to show my COS purchase at customs?
High-value items (typically over €1,000) may require physical inspection at customs. Keep your purchase in carry-on luggage, not checked bags.
What if I'm connecting through a non-EU airport?
You must validate your VAT refund at your last EU point of departure, not your final destination. For example, if flying Paris → London → New York, validate in Paris.
How long does it take to get my refund?
With TravelMoney, refunds are processed instantly once validated at customs. Standard tax-free services can take 4-12 weeks.
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