Did you know that if you live in a non-EU country and you make purchases in Spain you can recover the VAT paid on them? We tell you everything you need to know about VAT refund at Malaga airport!
Who can opt for a VAT refund?
You can obtain a VAT refund on purchases of goods made on the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands if you meet the following requirements:
You have your habitual residence outside the European Union
The goods acquired are for your personal use or that of your relatives or to offer as gifts.
How is the procedure of the VAT refund?
In Spain, the entire VAT refund process for travellers is digital, through the Tax Agency’s DIVA system.
What to do before applying for the refund
It is important that, when you make your purchases, you need to ask the seller for the Tax Free electronic form (called ‘documento electrónico de reembolso’ in Spain, or DER for short).
In order for the shop to give it to you, you must provide them with your identification details (mainly your full name, date of birth and passport number or other proof of identity and your residence outside the European Union).
Steps for applying for VAT refund at Malaga Airport
Before checking in your baggage at the airport, you must electronically validate the electronic documents for reimbursement of your purchases.
To do this, go to the kiosks duly marked for this purpose or to the Tax-Free stamping offices.
- Location: Terminal 3. Floor 1 departures.
Once you have completed the DER electronic validation process, you can request your money from your Tax-Free office located in the boarding area (subject to commission) or directly from the shop where you made your purchases.
Remember to bring with you
- Your passport
- The goods for which you are requesting a refund. You are transporting them yourself in your personal luggage (not checked in). WARNING: without goods there is no visa and fraudulent behaviour may be sanctioned. The maximum period is three months after the purchase.
- Your boarding pass or airline ticket with your travel route.
To make travelling as stress-free as possible: Plan in advance the time you will need to complete the necessary formalities to obtain your VAT refund.
This applies especially in high season. A large number of passengers apply for this service and long queues can form, both at the VAT refund and at the security checkpoint.
