Duty free allowance in Spain
What you can bring without paying tax
The duty free allowance in Spain refers to the maximum amount of goods you can bring into the country without paying customs duties, VAT, or excise taxes. The limits depend on:
- Whether you're arriving from an EU country or from a non-EU country
- The type of goods you’re carrying (tobacco, alcohol, gifts, electronics, etc.)
- Your age (minimum limits apply for tobacco and alcohol)
Many travelers misunderstand what duty free really means. It’s not unlimited, and depending on where you’re coming from, the rules change. In SpainTax, we’ll break down the duty free allowance in Spain, how it works, and how to make sure you don’t get hit with unexpected customs charges. Below is a breakdown of what you’re allowed to bring tax-free.
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Duty free tips to avoid issues
To stay safe and travel smart, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep receipts of your purchases to prove value and origin.
- Don’t split goods across family members if they’re clearly over the limit.
- Declare your items voluntarily if you're unsure—they're more lenient if you're honest.
- Avoid bulk packaging—it may trigger suspicion at customs.
- Check updated rules if you're traveling during tax-free sales periods or duty changes (e.g., Brexit impacts, travel to/from Canary Islands).
If you’re arriving from a non-EU country
These are the standard duty free limits if you're coming to Spain from outside the EU:
Tobacco products (for travelers over 17 years old)
You may bring one of the following:
- 200 cigarettes
- 50 cigars
- 250g of smoking tobacco
Alcoholic beverages (for travelers over 17 years old)
You can bring:
- 1 liter of spirits over 22% alcohol (like whiskey, vodka) or 2 liters of alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol (like wine, sherry, liqueurs)
plus
- 4 liters of non-sparkling wine
- 16 liters of beer
Other goods (including gifts and souvenirs)
You can bring:
- Up to €430 worth of goods for air/sea travelers
- Up to €300 for other travelers (land crossings)
- For minors (under 15 years old), the limit is €150
Important: If you exceed these limits, you must declare the goods and may be required to pay import duties, VAT, or excise tax.
If you’re arriving from another EU country
While there are no customs duties within the EU, certain limits still apply to prevent abuse (e.g. for resale). These thresholds are generous and assume personal use:
Tobacco (for travelers over 17 years old)
- 800 cigarettes
- 200 cigars
- 1 kg of smoking tobacco
Alcohol
- 10 liters of spirits
- 20 liters of fortified wine (e.g. sherry, port)
- 90 liters of wine (max 60 liters of sparkling wine)
- 110 liters of beer
General goods
There’s no limit on other goods if they’re for personal use and not resale. However, if the volume or quantity appears excessive, customs may ask questions.
What happens if you go over the limit?
If you exceed your duty free allowance in Spain:
- You must declare your goods at customs.
- You may have to pay customs duty, VAT, and excise taxes.
- In serious cases, undeclared goods can be confiscated, and you may be fined.
Spain’s customs officers have discretion, especially for items that look like they’re for commercial use (e.g. 10 iPhones or 30 cartons of cigarettes).
Can I bring duty free goods from the UK to Spain?
Yes, but the UK is now a non-EU country. That means the non-EU limits apply, not EU ones. If you exceed those, you’ll have to declare and pay tax.
Do duty free purchases at the airport count towards my allowance?
Yes. Even if bought at an airport duty free shop, your goods count toward the same limits.
Is there a duty free allowance for cash?
If you're carrying €10,000 or more in cash (or the equivalent in other currencies), you must declare it when entering or leaving Spain (and any EU country). This is not taxed, but it's part of anti-money laundering laws.
Do children get a duty free allowance?
Yes, but limited. Children under 15 have a lower goods allowance (usually €150), and they cannot bring alcohol or tobacco, regardless of the limit.
Can I split my allowance across multiple people in my group?
No. The allowance is individual and non-transferable. You can't use your child’s or partner’s allowance to import more than you’re allowed.
Does the duty free allowance reset every time I travel?
Yes. The allowance applies per person, per trip—not per month or year. You get a new allowance each time you enter Spain from abroad.
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Understanding the duty free allowance in Spain helps you avoid unnecessary stress at customs and ensures a smooth arrival. Whether you're returning from a holiday or coming home after a business trip, staying within the limits is key.
Still not sure how much tax you’d pay if you go over the limit? Try our Tax Calculator at SpainTax, which gives you an instant estimate on potential customs duties and VAT.
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