El Corte Inglés
Complete VAT Refund Guide for Europe
Planning to shop at El Corte Inglés in Europe? This comprehensive guide shows you exactly how to maximize your VAT refund savings, where to find El Corte Inglés stores across Europe, and insider tips to get the most money back on your purchases.
About El Corte Inglés
El Corte Inglés is Europe's largest department store group and the third largest worldwide. Founded in Madrid in 1940 by Ramón Areces Rodríguez, the name "El Corte Inglés" (The English Cut) refers to a tailoring shop that previously occupied the site. What started as a single store has grown into a Spanish retail empire with locations across Spain and international presence in Portugal and the Middle East. El Corte Inglés pioneered customer-centric retail in Spain with generous return policies, fixed pricing, and exceptional service. The stores are multi-level shopping destinations offering fashion, beauty, electronics, gourmet food, and even cultural spaces with art exhibitions.
Signature Products & Prices
Fashion & Accessories (All brands)
€20–€3,000+
Gourmet Experience Food Hall
€5–€200
Electronics & Technology
€50–€2,000
Beauty & Perfume
€15–€300
Home & Design
€20–€1,500
Why Shop El Corte Inglés in Europe?
El Corte Inglés offers unmatched value for tourists with a unique 10% discount card PLUS up to 15.7% VAT refund—combine both for up to 25% total savings. Unlike most retailers, there's NO minimum spend for VAT refunds, making it ideal for collecting smaller purchases throughout your trip. The Tourist Discount Card works on fashion, accessories, perfumes, and cosmetics from the second purchase onwards. El Corte Inglés is a one-stop destination: buy Spanish leather goods, gourmet jamón, electronics, and fashion all under one roof with simplified tax refund processing.
Best Cities to Shop El Corte Inglés
Madrid
Flagship on Calle Preciados, multiple locations across the city, Spanish capital shopping
Barcelona
Portal de l'Àngel and Plaça Catalunya locations, major tourist shopping hubs
Valencia
City center flagship, regional shopping destination
Why Shop El Corte Inglés with TravelMoney
Up to 100% VAT Refunds
Get significantly more money back compared to standard 12% refunds
10 El Corte Inglés Locations
Across 5 European cities
Instant Refunds
No waiting weeks for your money back
Digital Process
Upload receipts, scan at airport, done
El Corte Inglés Store Locations in Europe
Barcelona
El Corte Inglés Plaça Catalunya
Plaça de Catalunya, 14, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
📞 +34 932 815 013
Opening Hours:
monday: 09:30 - 22:00
tuesday: 09:30 - 22:00
wednesday: 09:30 - 22:00
thursday: 09:30 - 22:00
friday: 09:30 - 22:00
saturday: 09:30 - 22:00
sunday: Closed
El Corte Inglés Avinguda Diagonal
Avinguda Diagonal, 617, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
📞 +34 933 667 100
Opening Hours:
monday: 09:30 - 22:00
tuesday: 09:30 - 22:00
wednesday: 09:30 - 22:00
thursday: 09:30 - 22:00
friday: 09:30 - 22:00
saturday: 09:30 - 22:00
sunday: Closed
El Corte Inglés Portal de l'Àngel
Avinguda Portal de l'Àngel, 19, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
📞 +34 933 063 800
Opening Hours:
monday: 09:30 - 22:00
tuesday: 09:30 - 22:00
wednesday: 09:30 - 22:00
thursday: 09:30 - 22:00
friday: 09:30 - 22:00
saturday: 09:30 - 22:00
sunday: Closed
Lisbon
El Corte Inglés Avenida
Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, 31, 1069-413 Lisbon, Portugal
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 22:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
friday: 10:00 - 22:00
saturday: 10:00 - 23:30
sunday: 10:00 - 13:00
Madrid
El Corte Inglés Callao
Plaza de Callao, 2, 28013 Madrid, Spain
📞 +34 913 798 000
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 22:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
friday: 10:00 - 22:00
saturday: 11:00 - 21:00
sunday: 11:00 - 21:00
El Corte Inglés Preciados
Calle Preciados, 3, 28013 Madrid, Spain
📞 +34 913 798 000
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 22:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
friday: 10:00 - 22:00
saturday: 10:00 - 22:00
sunday: 11:00 - 21:00
El Corte Inglés Goya
Calle de Goya, 76, 28009 Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 22:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
friday: 10:00 - 22:00
saturday: 10:00 - 22:00
sunday: Closed
Sevilla
El Corte Inglés Plaza del Duque
Plaza del Duque de la Victoria, 8, 41002 Sevilla, Spain
📞 +34 954 597 000
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 22:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
friday: 10:00 - 22:00
saturday: 10:00 - 22:00
sunday: Closed
El Corte Inglés Nervión
Calle Luis Montoto, 122-128, 41005 Sevilla, Spain
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 22:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
friday: 10:00 - 22:00
saturday: 10:00 - 22:00
sunday: Closed
Valencia
El Corte Inglés Colón
Carrer de Colón, 27, 46004 Valencia, Spain
Opening Hours:
monday: 10:00 - 22:00
tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
friday: 10:00 - 22:00
saturday: 10:00 - 22:00
sunday: 11:00 - 21:00
How Much Can You Save?
VAT Refund Examples
Purchase: €1,000 → Get back €120-150 (standard refund) or up to €180 (TravelMoney)
Purchase: €5,000 → Get back €600-750 (standard refund) or up to €900 (TravelMoney)
Purchase: €10,000 → Get back €1,200-1,500 (standard refund) or up to €1,800 (TravelMoney)
How to Get Your VAT Refund: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Before making a purchase
Request Custom Invoice
When checking out at El Corte Inglés, request the invoice to be made out to "Travel Money" with our Paris address. This is critical for maximizing your refund.
Step 2: When making a purchase
Pay in Local Currency
Always choose to pay in euros (€) instead of your home currency to avoid poor exchange rates and maximize savings.
Step 3: After shopping
Upload Invoice & Receipt
Immediately upload your El Corte Inglés invoice and receipt in the TravelMoney app. Don't wait until you get to the airport.
Step 4: When leaving the EU
Scan Barcode at Point of Departure
At the airport, port, or train station, scan the barcode on your TravelMoney app at customs. Bring your El Corte Inglés purchase in carry-on for potential inspection.
VAT Refund Essentials
Core Requirements
- Minimum Spend: No minimum in total purchase value
- Eligibility: Non-EU permanent residents, under 6-month stay, purchasing goods for personal use
- Time limits: 3 months to validate at point of departure + 6 months to claim refund
- VAT Rate: 21% standard rate (most luxury goods)
Pro Tips for El Corte Inglés Shoppers
- →Tourist Discount Card: Get 10% store credit from 2nd purchase onwards (valid 5 days, bring passport)
- →VAT refund up to 15.7% with NO minimum spend—collect all receipts on single tax-free form
- →Planet kiosks at select locations offer immediate VAT refund processing
- →Multilingual staff and personal shopping services available for international visitors
- →Gourmet Experience food halls on top floors offer Spanish delicacies and rooftop dining
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get VAT refund on El Corte Inglés online purchases?
No. VAT refunds are only available for in-store purchases made in Europe. Online orders shipped internationally are already VAT-exempt.
Do I need to show my El Corte Inglés purchase at customs?
High-value items (typically over €1,000) may require physical inspection at customs. Keep your purchase in carry-on luggage, not checked bags.
What if I'm connecting through a non-EU airport?
You must validate your VAT refund at your last EU point of departure, not your final destination. For example, if flying Paris → London → New York, validate in Paris.
How long does it take to get my refund?
With TravelMoney, refunds are processed instantly once validated at customs. Standard tax-free services can take 4-12 weeks.
For Shoppers
Get up to 100% VAT refunds on your El Corte Inglés shopping. Join the waitlist for instant refunds.
For Merchants
Partner with TravelMoney to offer instant VAT refunds and attract more international shoppers.