Originally Posted by
amindu
Thank you both. I have another option that leaves early morning (8:20am) and has a longer layover in madrid ( 2 different options one with 2hr 15 min and the other with 4.5 hours), however we are trying to claim vat refund and not sure if the offices (custom and Global/Planet) will be open in Lisbon, is this possible to do in madrid or does it have to be done in lisbon? If this isnt the right place for this question where can i post this? thanks.
That is a subject for the
Europe forum.
VAT refunds are claimed when you exit the EU, so you'll need to get it done in MAD.
From Rick Steves' Europe:
How to Claim VAT Refunds
Unless a merchant has processed the refund for you, you'll need to do it yourself before heading home. If you buy merchandise in a European Union country, process your documents at your last stop in the EU (most likely at the airport). So, if you buy sweaters in Denmark, pants in France, and shoes in Italy, and you're flying home from Greece, get your documents stamped at the airport in Athens.