What is the VAT rate in Spain?

The standard VAT rate is 21%. Reduced rates of 10% (food, transport, hospitality) and 4% (essential goods, books, medicines) apply. The Canary Islands have a separate IGIC tax system at 7%.

Do I need to handle Canary Islands separately?

Yes. The Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla are outside the EU VAT area. Shipments to these territories require customs declarations and are subject to IGIC (7%) instead of mainland VAT.

Is it worth selling in Spain with lower order values?

Yes. While average order values are lower than Germany or France, Spain's rapid growth rate and lower competition mean customer acquisition costs are also lower, often resulting in competitive ROI.

What is Bizum and should I support it?

Bizum is Spain's instant mobile P2P payment system, used by over 25 million Spaniards. Originally designed for person-to-person transfers, it is rapidly expanding into e-commerce. Supporting Bizum can boost conversion rates, especially among younger Spanish shoppers.

How do regional differences affect selling in Spain?

Spain has distinct autonomous communities with different cultural identities. Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia have their own languages. While Castilian Spanish works nationwide, offering Catalan or Basque can improve trust in those regions. Logistics also vary — delivery to the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands requires separate handling.

What is the Ecoembes packaging requirement?

Ecoembes is Spain's packaging EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) system. All sellers placing packaged products on the Spanish market must register with Ecoembes, report packaging volumes, and pay recycling contributions. This applies to both domestic and cross-border sellers.

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Sell in Spain

Complete guide to entering the Spain e-commerce market

€60B+

E-commerce Market Size

93%

Internet Penetration

12%

Annual Growth

47M

Population

Last updated: March 2026

Market Overview

Spain is the fourth-largest e-commerce market in Europe, with online sales exceeding €60 billion annually. With 47 million people and 93% internet penetration, Spain offers a sizable market with significant growth potential, particularly as online shopping habits continue to deepen across all demographics.

The Spanish market is heavily influenced by Amazon.es, but local players like El Corte Inglés and specialized marketplaces offer alternative channels. Spanish consumers are mobile-first shoppers who value competitive pricing, reliable delivery, and localized experiences.

Consumer Behavior

Mobile commerce leads with 65%+ of purchases made on smartphones
Spanish consumers are highly promotion-driven — discounts and sales events are key
Social commerce and influencer recommendations strongly influence buying decisions
Free shipping expectations are high, especially for orders above €30

Payment Preferences

Credit/debit cards — the most popular online payment method

PayPal — widely trusted and used

Bizum — Spain's popular mobile P2P payment system, growing in e-commerce

Bank transfers

Cash on delivery (declining but still used in some regions)

Top Marketplaces in Spain

Amazon.es

The dominant marketplace

25%+

El Corte Inglés

Spain's leading department store marketplace

5%+

eBay.es

Strong for second-hand and niche products

3%+

VAT & Tax Guide

Standard Rate

21%

Reduced Rates

10%, 4%

Country Code

Calculate VAT with our free tool

Shipping & Logistics

Correos (national postal service) is widely used for standard deliveries
Standard domestic shipping costs €4–7 for parcels up to 5kg
Delivery to the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla requires customs declarations
Popular carriers: Correos, SEUR, MRW, GLS, DHL

Cheapest 2kg parcel from Germany: €11.70 via National Post (4-7 days)

Estimate shipping costs

Legal Requirements

Spanish or EU VAT registration (standard rate 21%)
Spanish consumer protection law compliance (14-day return right)
GDPR compliance and Spanish AEPD data protection
Product labeling in Spanish language
EPR registration for packaging (Ecoembes)

Challenges & Opportunities

Opportunities

Fast-growing market with 12%+ annual e-commerce growth
Gateway to Latin American markets through Spanish-language content
Tourism-driven economy creates demand for lifestyle and fashion products
Less competitive than France or Germany for many product categories
Growing middle class with increasing online spending power

Challenges

Lower average order values compared to Northern European markets
Strong regional differences (Catalonia, Basque Country) may require tailored approaches
Seasonal demand patterns — summer slowdown is significant
Amazon.es dominance limits marketplace diversification
Returns logistics can be complex, especially for cross-border sellers