Quick answer
If you live outside the EU, you can reclaim the VAT on personal purchases that you take out of the European Union within three months of buying them. Ask the shop for the electronic refund document, stamp it at the customs kiosk at the airport and collect the VAT from the shop or an authorised refund agent.
Who can claim the VAT back
- Residents outside the EU (also residents of the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla).
- Purchases by individuals for personal use, on an occasional basis.
- You must prove residence with your passport or another valid document, and the goods must leave the EU.
Services (hotel, restaurant) do not qualify for this kind of refund.
Steps to get the VAT back
- In the shop: show your passport and ask for the electronic refund document (DER). A normal receipt is not enough.
- Before leaving the EU: at the airport, stamp the document at the electronic customs kiosk (DIVA). Keep your purchases handy in case you are asked to show them.
- Kiosk result: a green tick means the document is validated; a red cross means you must go to the customs office, which decides whether it qualifies.
- Collecting: present the stamped document to an authorised refund agent, who pays you the VAT minus its commission, or send it to the shop, which refunds the full VAT.
Deadlines to know
| What | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Leave the EU with the goods | Maximum 3 months from purchase or invoice |
| Send the stamped document to the shop | Up to 4 years (general limitation period) |
| Refund by the shop | 15 days from receiving the document |
If you leave the EU without stamping the document, or without showing the goods when asked, you lose the right to the refund. The stamp does not guarantee payment: checks can be made.
What we could not confirm
The Spanish tax agency page we read does not state a minimum purchase amount. Ask the shop whether it requires a minimum and what commission the refund agent charges, because that changes how much you receive.
If your trip includes more days in Madrid
Leave extra time at the airport to stamp the document before checking in if your purchases are in your suitcase. And if you still have the city to see, check our guide to Madrid in one day or a 3-hour tuk tuk tour.
Frequently asked questions
Who can get a VAT refund in Spain?
Residents outside the EU who buy for personal use and take the goods out of the EU within three months.
How long do I have to leave the EU with my purchases?
Three months from the purchase or the invoice date.
Where do I stamp the refund document?
At an electronic customs kiosk at the airport, port or border where you leave the EU.
How do I collect the refund?
From an authorised refund agent (which deducts its commission) or by sending the stamped document to the shop.
Sources
Facts and prices checked on 18 October 2026. They can change: confirm them with the official source before you travel.