Tax free shopping in Spain
Shopping in calle Serrano in Madrid, surrounded by tourist enjoying this benefit
Spain has become one of the top shopping destinations, and it's no coincidence. One of the main advantages of buying in our country is that you can enjoy Tax refund value up to 15.7% on standard VAT items with no minimum spend in Spain.
Who can benefit?
Non-EU Residents: Anyone with habitual residence outside the European Union.
Specific Spanish Residents: Residents of the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla can claim, as they are outside the EU VAT zone.
EU Citizens Living Abroad: EU nationals who can prove they reside in a non-EU country for at least 6 months of the year.
Diplomatic and Consular Staff: Spanish diplomatic staff residing outside the EU.
Which items?
It is important to understand that this applies only to goods as refunds are paid on items that are exported in the shoppers personal luggage and refundable items must be unused. Services are considered non refundable goods. Depending on the item you can get up to 15.7% VAT refund.
Process
Purchase: must be for personal use or gifts, not for commercial shipment. Items must leave the EU within 3 months of purchase. Items must be purchased from stores that offer digital DIVA tax free forms. You can check out which stores offer this here.
Documentation: request a DIVA form (electronic tax-free document) at the time of purchase in the shop. You might need to show your passport or ID to identify your nationality, so bring it always with you!
Validation: before leaving the EU (usually at the airport), validate your form at digital kiosks (DIVA machines) or with customs agents, showing your passport, form, and goods. Most major retailers offer the digital DIVA stamp for quick validation.
Refund: you don’t need to wait until you get to the airport to reclaim VAT. In El Corte Inglés department store chain in certain locations you can get VAT refunds directly.
Main operators:
Global Blue has specific points at El Corte Inglés where you can get immediately tax refund (in Madrid for example in Preciados, Serrano and Castellana). If you are a Global Blue member in most stores, you can scan your digital barcode at check-out and your personal data will be automatically filled.
Planet has independent spaces at street level or inside El Corte Inglés, for example in the heart of the golden mile in Madrid Tax Free Planet Lounge - VIP Tax refund center.
Travel Tax Free points distributed in all Spanish cities, check out the closest here.
In the Airport Gates you can check here. Remember that it is very important last step to validate your Tax Free Form in Spain, not in any other country.