VAT can be refunded. There are two mechanisms:
Compensación (offsetting) – when you pay less tax in the following quarters by using the VAT overpayment.
Devolución (refund) – when you request a refund once a year, in the 4th quarter, through Form 303.
To request a VAT refund, you must always have a Spanish factura or invoice. The only drawback is the time involved: if you request the refund in January, the tax office will send the money only around April–July, after a review and possible additional questions.
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