Barcelona
- Tourist
Information - Taxes
VAT (Value
Added Tax) is charged on the consumption of products in the European
Union, and only visitors resident in other countries are therefore
exempt.
Look for the
symbol Europe Tax-Free Shopping in any shop for purchases over 90
Euro. You can and you should request a Tax-return, VAT of 16%, included
in the sale price.
Visitors from non-EU countries are entitled to claim some of this
tax back on leaving the country. To claim tax back you must provide
documentary evidence that the goods have been exported, such as
the invoice stamped by Customs. Therefore when making the purchases,
remember to request the Check Tax Free. The purchase must be superior
to 90.15 Euro, in a same store.
Before leaving
the European Union (articles should be exported in a term of 3 months),
the customs of Barcelona in the airport should confirm the purchase
and seal Tax-Free, with this, the client can go by the office of
the External Bank of Spain in the airport and make effective her
cheque in the chosen currency.
Many large
retail outlets provide a system called Cashback, which allows visitors
to collect their rebate on departure. Otherwise a refund may be
claimed from individual outlets after returning to your country.
VAT
can not be claimed back from services such as restaurants and bars.
