Tax-free shopping during your ski holiday? There are at least three options for that! There are tax-free ski villages in Andorra, Italy and Switzerland. These places are so remote that they tried to make a living and working there more attractive with this measure. And well, winter sports are already expensive enough, so for you as a holidaymaker a great option to save! This blog highlights the three winter sports destinations where you can shop tax-free.
No, we are not talking about the duty-free section at the airport this time, but actual villages! Crazy about winter sports but also shopping? Then a ski holiday to one of these duty-free villages might be for you. Winter sports already cost enough, so how nice is it when you can save on tax? In these tax-free ski villages, you will pay a lower price for clothes, perfume and alcohol, among other things. Only, don't think: let's load up! There are specific rules attached to tax-free shopping on winter sports. You cannot import an unlimited amount of everything, so check the rules beforehand.
Livigno lies at an altitude of 1816 metres, near the Swiss border, in a valley between Engadin and Alta Valtellina. Until the mid-20th century, the village was completely isolated from the outside world in winter. Add the harsh winters, and the nickname 'Little Tibet' immediately makes sense. Livigno has had certain privileges since the 16th century and has been tax-free since the early 19th century. Along the 'shopping mile', you will find more than 250 shops where you can go wild. Of course, tax-free shopping is not the only thing that makes this place so lovely. You can also have great skiing on more than 115 km of slopes, enjoy lunch and dinner and end the day in the après-ski.
If you love shopping and winter sports, you should visit Andorra. This tax haven in the Pyrenees wedged between France and Spain, boasts several ski resorts such as GrandValira (200 km of slopes) and Vallnord (100 km of slopes). Due to its isolated location, the principality has been tax-free for many years. So it is ideal for those who love skiing and shopping. For shopping, you need to be in the capital, la Vella. This city is about a 10 to 20 minutes drive from the ski resorts and offers many shops and shopping centres. It's all available here, from the latest fashion to the latest gadgets. Andorra, shopping and winter sports are a great trinity.
Swiss Samnaun lies at an altitude of 1846 metres. Until 1912, it was only possible to reach this place from Austria (Spiss). This fact made Samnaun a paradise for smugglers in earlier times. They would travel over the mountain ridges with a backpack full of goods to trade them in Austria. The Schmuggler Runde ski tour still recalls this. In 1892, Samnaun was excluded from Swiss customs territory and the duty-free zone was created. Today, this still allows us to shop tax-free at over 50 shops. Europe's highest shopping street is home to all kinds of well-known brands. Ski on the slopes of the famous cross-border skiing area Silvretta Arena Ischgl - Samnaun (239 km of slopes).
I grew up in Slovenia, close to the Julian Alps. Early on, my parents put me on skis and skates, and the winter sports enthusiasm hasn't left me since. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and have been a keen snowboarder for the past 20 years.
