Holidays are never holidays without shopping. Especially since Austria has plenty to offer in addition to a varied culture and sports program. Shopping buffs will be delighted by the many large shopping malls, small souvenir shops and splendid shopping streets across Austria. Go bargain hunting at one of the many colorful markets, stroll along an upscale shopping street or indulge in some serious shopping at 1000 meters above sea level.

On this page you will find Where? When? How? At the bottom of the page you will find links to other interesting and shopping related pages.

Shopping hours:
Legally permitted opening hours for stores: Monday to Friday 5:00 a.m to 21:00 p.m, Saturday to 18:00 p.m.
The actual opening hours for stores may vary, usually from 09.00 a.m – 18.00 p.m (Grocery stores from 08.00 a.m), Saturdays to 13.00 or 17.00 p.m
Exceptional regulations with longer opening hours exist in tourist areas; shops at railway stations and at airports are open during the travel timeschedules (in part until 23:00 p.m).

Tobacco merchandise
is available at tobacconists’ shops (Tabaktrafiken) at original prices, and at hotels, restaurants, coffee houses and inns with a surcharge.

Souvenirs:
Craftmanship is a popular souvenir – i.e. ceramic, woodcarving, artistic iron welding – traditional dress, Augarten-Porcellan, enamel jewelry and glass creations.

Refund of Value-Added Tax (VAT):
Foreign tourists with residence outside the EU may obtain a refund on the VAT they pay on single purchases totalling over € 75.-, by completing certain customs formalities when taking the goods out of the country. The relevant form is issued directly at the store, and the goods must be taken out of the country within 3 months and must receive a stamp from the EU border customs office as confirmation. The VAT refund voucher, with which you receive a tax refund upon leaving the EU internal market is available at all stores displaying the signs “Global Refund TAX FREE SHOPPING” and “Premier TAX FREE”.

Attention: For tourists with residence within the European Union obtaining refunds on VAT is unfortunately no longer possible!

Residents of non-EU countries purchasing goods in excess of €75.01 in one store on any one day can apply for a refund of the Value Added Tax (VAT) paid if they export the goods within three months from the end of the month of purchase.

Ask the store’s staff to complete the required tax-free check. You must present this check together with the goods purchased at the airport or the border crossing to customs officials when leaving the European Union for validation.

Once the tax-free check is validated, the VAT refund less a handling fee can be obtained at the cash refund desks located at airports or major border crossings.

Alternatively you can send the form for a refund by mail using the tax-free envelope.

Be aware that customs validation can only be obtained when leaving the last EU country on your trip.