Turkish travelers are driving a remarkable surge in tax-free shopping across Europe, with spending skyrocketing by 64% in the past three months, according to new data from Global Blue.

This sharp increase places Turkish citizens at the forefront of Europe’s tax-free shopping boom, outpacing shoppers from other nations.

The data, highlighted by journalist Ertuğrul Özkök, reveals that Turkish tourists have become the most active shoppers in Europe’s tax-free retail market, which experienced an overall growth of 30% in recent months. While American, Chinese, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) shoppers have contributed significantly to this increase, none have matched the spending growth seen among Turkish travelers.

Shoppers Spending Big in Europe’s Retail Hubs

The surge in Turkish spending coincides with Global Blue’s broader report on global shopping trends. According to the report, sales in stores across Continental Europe rose by 16% year-on-year in November 2024, with hotspots like Spain, Italy, and France recording significant increases of 20%, 20%, and 12%, respectively. While Gulf shoppers led the growth with a 33% increase, Turkish travelers were among the most notable contributors to the rise in tax-free sales.

This trend is further accentuated by a shift in Turkey’s domestic shopping rules. The Turkish Ministry of Treasury and Finance recently introduced a €30 limit on the value of tax-exempt international e-commerce orders, impacting platforms like Temu, AliExpress, and Amazon. As a result, Turkish citizens seeking luxury and higher-end products are now turning to in-person shopping abroad, particularly in Europe’s iconic retail districts.

A Broader Global Trend in Luxury Spending