Receipts to refund
Net refund
Eligibility rules (Spain DIVA)
- You must be a non-EU resident (or EU resident moving residence with proof of long-stay).
- Goods must be for personal/family use, not for resale.
- Goods must leave the EU within 90 days of purchase.
- Minimum purchase 鈧?00 per receipt at the same shop, on the same day. Some shops volunteer for a lower threshold (鈧?0) on local discretion.
- The shop must be DIVA-registered (the "IVA Tourist" stickers on the door 鈥?not all shops participate).
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How to read results
- Gross IVA is what the shop charged 鈥?the IVA line in the factura.
- Operator commission is what the refund company keeps. Global Blue card refunds are around 22% of the gross IVA, more for cash.
- Fixed fee: most operators charge a per-receipt processing fee of around 鈧?.50鈥撯偓3 per receipt (paid back at home or deducted).
- Net is what lands back in your pocket 鈥?typically 50鈥?0% of the gross IVA.
Limitations
- Customs validation at the airport can refuse certain items (electronics >鈧?00 may need detailed export paperwork).
- Restaurants and hotels are NOT refundable 鈥?the rule covers goods only.
- For non-physical goods (services, downloads), no refund.
- The operator commission shown is typical 2025/26; read the printed detail at the refund desk to confirm before choosing card vs cash.
FAQ
Can I refund at any airport in Spain? Major airports (MAD, AGP, VLC, SVQ, BCN, IBZ) all have validation desks. For departure from a smaller airport, validate in the country of last EU exit.
What if I forget to validate? The refund is invalid; you keep the items but lose the IVA. Always validate at the airport counter, not at the shop.
What about Canary Islands? Canary Islands use IGIC, not IVA 鈥?separate scheme with different refund operator (DIVA IGIC). This tool covers mainland only.
What if the shop's "IVA Tourist" sticker is fake? The factura should have a unique DIVA code, the operator's stamp, and the date. If in doubt, ask the shop for the DIVA operator they use.