The Little-known Way Expats Can Help Visitors Save Money On Shopping Sprees In Spain

If you’re surviving successful Spain and often person friends aliases family flying successful from nan UK aliases elsewhere successful nan EU, here’s a little-known concealed that could prevention everyone superior money connected those shopping sprees astir Palma, Madrid aliases Barcelona.

According to caller investigation by ABTA, half (51%) of UK adults person nary thought they’re eligible to declare backmost VAT connected purchases made while travelling successful nan EU – meaning millions are missing retired connected easy savings erstwhile heading home.

Even much surprisingly, only 1 successful 8 (13%) travellers person ever really claimed VAT back, contempt refunds often reaching 20% aliases much of nan acquisition price.

If you’re an expat surviving successful Spain who loves to show visitors nan champion boutiques, homeware stores and designer outlets, this is simply a extremity worthy sharing.

The hidden perk for visitors from nan UK and beyond

Since Brexit, UK passport holders are officially considered non-EU residents – and that comes pinch 1 awesome perk: tax-free shopping.

That intends erstwhile your friends aliases family from nan UK sojourn you successful Spain, they tin shop VAT-free successful galore stores – and declare backmost up to 21% of nan value of eligible items.

The only catch? They request to travel a fewer elemental steps earlier they time off nan EU.

And while galore British visitors person nary thought astir this benefit, expats tin beryllium nan smart ones successful nan know, helping their guests make nan astir of each purchase.

How it useful successful Spain

In Spain, shoppers must walk astatine slightest €90.15 successful a azygous shop to suffice for a VAT refund. The refund complaint is typically 21%, 1 of nan highest successful Europe.

That intends a friend buying a €500 designer container successful Palma could get much than €100 backmost – simply by completing a shape and showing it astatine nan airport.

Other countries person akin systems, though nan minimum walk and refund complaint differ. In Greece, for example, nan period is conscionable €50, and nan refund complaint is 24%.

So if you’re readying a shopping time travel to Milan, Paris, aliases Lisbon pinch visitors – punctual them to cheque if their purchases are eligible earlier hitting nan boutiques.

Step-by-step: How to declare a VAT refund successful Spain

Here’s what your visiting friends aliases family request to do:

1. Ask astatine nan till: Always cheque whether nan shop offers tax-free shopping for non-EU residents. Most ample retailers and galore independent boutiques do.
2. Show a non-EU passport: They’ll request to beryllium their eligibility by showing their British passport erstwhile paying.
3. Request nan “tax-free” form: The retailer will supply a VAT refund shape that must beryllium completed and kept pinch nan receipt.
4. Get nan shape validated earlier leaving nan EU: At nan airport, port, aliases train station, they’ll find a customs table aliases physics stalls (look for “DIVA” successful Spain). They must present:
   • Their completed shape and receipt
   • Passport
   • Boarding pass
   • The purchased equipment for inspection
5. Choose really to person nan refund: Once approved, nan money tin beryllium refunded straight to a paper aliases moreover fixed successful rate astatine immoderate locations.

If you’re helping guests pinch shopping days, punctual them to support each receipts and forms safely together. Many refunds are mislaid simply because paperwork gets misplaced.

What’s not included

Not everything qualifies for a VAT refund. Items that are consumed aliases utilized wrong nan state – specified arsenic meals, drinks, tobacco, edifice stays, and arena tickets – are excluded.

Refunds use only to equipment that are exported unused, for illustration clothing, jewellery, electronics, and homewares.

Living successful Spain often intends playing big – and showing friends nan champion that nan land aliases mainland has to offer. Whether it’s a boutique crawl successful Palma, a shopping travel to Madrid’s Gran Vía, aliases a designer outlet time successful Barcelona, galore visitors will happily splurge – without realising they’re leaving free money connected nan table.

As an expat, knowing really VAT refunds activity not only helps your guests bask their travel more, but tin make you nan savvy section guideline who knows each nan insider tricks.

“Nobody wants to miss retired connected money they’re entitled to,” says Graeme Buck, ABTA’s Director of Communications. “Be a VAT victor and make those European shopping sprees spell that small spot further.”

So adjacent clip you’re readying a girls’ trip, a family visit, aliases a play getaway from Spain – show your friends to inquire astatine nan till, support nan receipts, and declare their rate back.

It’s 1 of Europe’s best-kept shopping secrets – and now you’re successful connected it.