Tax free: the VAT refund
Visitors resident outside the European Union can recover part of the VAT on their shopping: the paperwork starts in the shop, gets stamped at the airport and pays out after. It's money, and few people claim it.
How it works
In the shop, ask for the refund form with your passport over a minimum spend; at the airport it's stamped before checking in the bag holding the goods; the refund arrives by card or at a counter.
Limits and traps
There's a minimum per invoice and purchases must leave the EU with you, unused: the outfit worn at the wedding doesn't count. Keep everything together with tags on until stamping.
At the airport, with time
The tax-free stamp has its own queue before security: budget an extra hour on departure day. Immediate cash refunds charge a commission; card refunds less, and take longer.