Expense rules in Spain.
All AEAT rules: IVA rates, travel allowances (Real Decreto 462/2002), mileage rate and VAT recovery in Spain.
Get started →Disclaimer: This country guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Although we update it regularly, it may not reflect ongoing regulatory changes. Illizeo SA declines all responsibility for actions taken or not taken based on this content.
1Expense rules & reclaimable VAT
| Category | VAT | Reclaim | Cap / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business meals | 10% | 100% reclaimable | Itemized invoice + justification |
| Travel meals | 10% | 100% reclaimable | Per diem cap RD 462/2002 |
| Accommodation | 10% | 100% reclaimable | Itemized invoice required |
| Fuel | 21% | 100% reclaimable | If business vehicle |
| Train / flight | 10% | 100% reclaimable | Passenger transport |
| Taxi / VTC | 10% | 100% reclaimable | Receipt required |
| Client gifts | 21% | Not reclaimable | Client attentions |
| Parking / toll | 21% | 100% reclaimable | Itemized invoice |
National per diem
National per diem without overnight (RD 462/2002).
Foreign per diem
Standard foreign with overnight.
Retention
Receipts: 4 years (Ley General Tributaria).
2Mileage allowance
| Mode | Allowance | Cap | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 0,26 €/km | Unlimited | AEAT standard |
| Motorcycle | 0,15 €/km | Unlimited | Reduced rate |
Car
AEAT standard rate (Orden EHA/3771/2005).
Logbook
Date, location, km, business purpose.
Covers
Fuel + maintenance + depreciation.
3Per diem and travel allowances
| Destination | Meal | Lodging / night | Daily rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain — national (24h) | 53,34 € | 65,97 € | 91,35 € |
| Madrid / Barcelona | 53,34 € | 102,56 € | 127,89 € |
| Foreign — Paris | 91,35 € | 170,28 € | 226,98 € |
| Foreign — London | 91,35 € | 185,40 € | 247,30 € |
| Foreign — New York | 115,30 € | 290,40 € | 377,50 € |
| Foreign — Tokyo | 98,46 € | 220,70 € | 291,12 € |
National 24h
Standard national with overnight.
Without overnight
Half-day national (5–24h).
Senior executives
Group 1 dieta (top management).
4Foreign VAT recovery
| Zone | Mechanism | Deadline | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union (27) | 8th Directive (2008/9/EC) | 30 Sept. N+1 | AEAT online portal |
| France | Reciprocity | 30 Sept. N+1 | Via AEAT portal |
| United Kingdom | 13th Directive post-Brexit | 31 Dec. N+1 | HMRC VAT65A |
| Switzerland | Reciprocity | 30 June N+1 | FTA Form 1222 |
| USA | No recovery | — | Sales tax not recoverable |
| ES IVA for foreign cos | 360-VAT procedure | 30 Sept. N+1 | Modelo 360 — AEAT |
EU minimum
Annual 8th Directive request.
ES minimum
Min VAT foreign company via Modelo 360.
Typical ROI
% expenses recovered multi-country.
Industrialize your Spain expenses with Illizeo.
IVA 21%/10%, AEAT €0.26/km mileage, dietas RD 462/2002, EU 8th Directive VAT recovery: all the AEAT rules above are natively integrated into Illizeo.
Book a demo
