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When most people think of Prague, art and architecture come to mind – not shopping and fashion. While Prague does have a fair amount of shopping malls and department stores, the malls have only recently started to multiply over the last several years. Most locals would agree that Prague is not considered a shopper’s paradise like New York or Los Angeles, but the shopping scene has improved since the early 1990’s.
Many of the city’s department stores are dreary, but the malls are mostly lively, and somewhat busy most days of the week. The busiest shops seem to be Prague’s souvenir and specialty shops, however. This may give you an idea of Prague’s attitude towards (excessive amounts of) shopping – most stores are closed on Christmas Eve – one of the busiest (and craziest) shopping days in the United States – and some even close during the lunch hour and on weekends. What the?
If you need something to help inspire you to shop, here are a few tips about Tax-Free shopping in Prague. If you see a “Tax-Free” sign, and you are a non-EU tourist, you are eligible for Tax-Free shopping and you can save up 14% of the purchase price. If you don’t see the Tax-Free sign, it’s still worth it to ask an employee before you start shopping. Additionally, you have to spend 2,000 CZK or more (that’s around $109 USD) in each shop (during the course of one day) to enjoy Tax-Free shopping.
Here’s how it works:
Pay for your items first, then claim the tax back when you leave the country:
When paying for your items at the time of check out, ask an employee for a Tax Free shopping voucher.
Present the voucher to a Czech customs official within 30 days of the date of purchase to get a stamp. You can also do this at Prague Airport when you leave. The office is located BEFORE passport control.
Hand the voucher in AFTER passport control to one of the Duty Free Shops. They will then refund your VAT, minus their commission.
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Resources
The 11 best places to go shopping in Prague
Looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir? Got a birthday coming up? These are the absolute best places to go shopping in Prague.
Best Shopping in Prague
Great guide geared towards luxury travelers and tourists.
6 Savvy Tips for Shopping in Prague
From luxury items to clothing, glassware and unique home items, Prague offers something for every shopper and budget. But just like any other city, you need to know where to go and what to look for if you want a good experience.
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