Going to Madrid.

[Miguel Angel]

Hi fishseason
Have a nice trip. I will be there from the 21th to the 28th of March, the whole Holy Week. Made my reservations today. I will be also looking into luthier shops, specially Ramírez & Paulino Bernabé. :D :D

[DWPC]

I bought a guitar in Barcelona in September. The VAT tax is only refunded when you leave Spain (or the EC), or by mail. They won't refund at the point of sale.

Here's the process:
1. When you buy, you must request a VAT voucher from the seller.

2. When you leave Spain, take the voucher with your plane ticket to the Customs window at the airport to have it stamped. (Technically, your supposed to have the item with you but few people do.) Allow some time for this, there's a line.

3. Take the stamped voucher to the correct VAT refund company window. There a couple companies that do this; check which one is on your voucher. Another line. They will refund your VAT in cash or on your credit card. I passed on this because the line was long and slow; each voucher is refunded separately, and most tourists have several vouchers. There's a lot of confusion because about half of them don't get the Customs stamp first. (God help you if your behind a Russian tour group!)

4. I opted to mail my vouchers when I got home. The refund was credited to my credit card in about six weeks. No sweat. I recommend this option.

The VAT refund ranges from 10% for items up to around EURO 2000 to 17% for really expensive items.

Another tip. Before you leave home, check with your credit card companies to see what premium they charge on non-US$ purchases; some add several percent. It adds up.

Have a great trip and look out for the Gypsies!

[fishseason]

Thanks for your advice. I am leaving Madrid on a domestic flight to Barcelona, then driving to France (where I will leave for the U.S.). Do you by chance know if I can get my stamp in an EU country? If not, do you know if I can be stamped on a domestic flight?
Thanks again!

[fishseason]

Thanks for your advice. I am leaving Madrid on a domestic flight to Barcelona, then driving to France (where I will leave for the U.S.). Do you by chance know if I can get my stamp in an EU country? If not, do you know if I can be stamped on a domestic flight?
Thanks again!