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VAT refund for a soccer game ticket purchase.

I plan to purchase ticket's for a soccer game taking place in Paris. In order to get the ticket's before the game sells out they will have to be purchased months in advance through an on-line website.(www.viagogo.fr) The ticket price includes a hefty VAT. I'm a US citizen and I'm not sure how this ticket would be viewed by the EU. The ticket would not be purchased in the EU but rather on-line, but is being sold by a EU based company. I will be in the EU(Paris,FR.) on the date the ticket is valid for. Does this transaction qualify for a VAT refund? Thanks for any forthcoming help.

Posted by
2297 posts

VAT refunds can be obtained on goods that you take out of the EU to be used/consumed outside the EU. Any goods and services you use within the EU do not qualify. Tickets for events held in the EU are like restaurant bills, accommodation, transportation costs, and there's no VAT refund.

Posted by
9110 posts

Sorry no refund on VATs for sporting events. While I frequently use viagogo to secure tickets to soccer matches in Europe, they for the most part unauthorized ticket resellers and it's all a grey area legally, so don't count on them participating in the Global Refund scheme. Refunds are only for products you physically take back home or shipped.

Posted by
2 posts

Beatrix, Your quick reply is greatly appreciated. I did have a feeling that a service such as a ticket to an event wasn't going to qualify, but I had to ask. Thanks,