Tax-Free Shopping in Spain 🇪🇸

Barcelona is a shopper's paradise, with a wide range of boutiques, markets, and department stores to explore. From the iconic La Rambla street to the trendy Passeig de Gracia avenue, there's something for everyone. Indulge in luxury brands, discover local artisans, or hunt for unique souvenirs to take home. Experience the vibrant energy of Barcelona's shopping scene with its colorful streets and lively atmosphere. #VatfreeBarcelona #TaxFreeShopping #ShopBarcelona"

 

Vatfree.com is currently not fully active in Spain. We provide guidance on Tax-Free shopping in Spain, but if you want a VAT refund from a Spanish store, you need to ask the store for a DIVA Tax-Free form when you buy the goods. The Tax-Free form will show you which Tax-Free company is processing the claim and will transfer the VAT to your account.

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Spain

  • Local currency is EUR

  • Standard VAT rate: 21%

  • Low VAT rate: 10% on food and some optical products

  • Low VAT rate: 4% on medicines, pharmaceutical goods, books, magazines

  • No minimum spend amount

6 Tax-Free shopping rules in Spain

  1. You must receive a DIVA Tax-Free form from the store, so don’t forget to ask for one when buying your goods

  2. Without a Tax-Free form —issued specifically by the store— you can’t get back the VAT

  3. Tax Refund takes place via the Tax-Free company mentioned on your Tax-Free form

  4. The goods you buy must be for private use

  5. You must live in a non-EU country at least 6 months of the year

  6. You must get proof of export before the end of the 3rd month, after the month of purchase

Where to get Customs validation?

In Spain, you can get proof of export at digital customs machines (only for purchases made in Spain) or at the manual customs desks. Digital Tax-Free forms from Spanish stores are marked with ‘DIVA’ and can be scanned in the digital customs machines.

Customs machines and desks at located every international airport in Spain. They’re usually located before check-in, in international departure halls. If you’re unsure, ask an airport employee to point you in the right direction.

Bring to Customs:

  • Spanish stores: DIVA Tax-free form issued specifically by the store;

  • Stores from other EU countries: Tax-Free form issued by the store or Standard Tax-Free form;

  • Any other purchase documents received from the store;

  • Purchased items;

  • Passport (If you have an EU passport; other proof of residence outside the EU);

  • Boarding pass;

Airports:

Barcelona Airport, Spain

Madrid Barajas Airport, Spain

Malaga airport, Spain



Good to know

  • At the airport, please allow enough time for Customs approval process before your flight departs. An extra 30 minutes before check-in time is usually enough.

  • If you are a resident of the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla your documentation can be properly validated for export by the respective Customs, previous payment of the IGIC Tax in Canary Islands and the IPSI Tax in the case of Ceuta and Melilla.

  • In smaller airports, there may be no Customs Official present, in this case, look for the Customs deposit box and instructions.