How to Request a VAT Refund or Fees for Being a Non-EU Resident?Updated 8 months ago
Regarding the VAT refund inquiry, the issuance of the DER (electronic document required for customs refund) does not depend on ALOHAS. It is only issued if the buyer proves they reside outside the European Union by presenting proof of residence and a commercial invoice, along with the DER.
This procedure applies under a special "traveler" regime, designed for tourists who shop in physical stores and then take the products back to their country when returning home. If everything is not declared and validated at customs upon return, the VAT refund cannot be requested once the customer has the product at home.
Please note that this process mainly applies to physical stores and not to products sold online, where delivery takes place directly in the buyer's country of residence without applying the tax.
Therefore, VAT refunds are only possible for non-EU residents when the seller can verify the buyer's identity and residence at the time of delivery. This verification is not always possible for online purchases, so there would be no right to a VAT refund in these cases.
In these cases, the three-month period following the month in which the delivery was made should be counted from the moment the goods are made available.
If needed, you can consult the official page of the tax authority for specific questions about purchases by non-resident travelers in Spain (EU).
We hope this information is useful and helps you determine if you are eligible for a VAT refund.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you need more information, and we will do our best to assist you!