Country menu guides

What does IVA incluido mean on a Spanish menu?

IVA incluido means "VAT included": the price on the menu already contains Spain's value-added tax (IVA, impuesto sobre el valor añadido). Spanish consumer law requires restaurants to show final prices with taxes included, so the total on your bill should match the menu prices you ordered. On restaurant meals the rate is 10%.

Updated 8 October 2026

On the menu: IVA incluido
Meaning: VAT included — the price already contains Spain's value-added tax.
Typical amount: 10% IVA on restaurant service (already inside the menu price).

What it means for you

A dish listed at 12 € (IVA incluido) costs 12 €, not 12 € plus tax. Spanish consumer rules require final and complete prices, including taxes and any service element, so a menu aimed at the public should never say IVA no incluido. Restaurant service is taxed at the reduced rate of 10%.

In the Canary Islands there's no IVA: a local tax called IGIC applies instead, and it is also included in menu prices.

How it shows up on the bill

The receipt (ticket or factura simplificada) usually lists your items, the total, and a line that breaks it down: Base imponible 10,91 € — IVA 10% 1,09 € — Total 12,00 €, or simply IVA incluido. That breakdown is information, not an extra charge — the total stays the same.

If you need a full invoice with your details (for business expenses), ask for una factura.

What to do

Compare the bill with the menu. Item prices should match exactly.
If tax is added on top, ask about it politely: ¿El IVA no estaba incluido? Every establishment must give you an official complaint form (hoja de reclamaciones) if you want to file one.
Don't expect a tourist VAT refund on meals. Tax-free shopping refunds cover goods you take out of the EU, not restaurant meals.

MenuGuide converts the menu prices to your currency after a scan, and since Spanish menu prices already include tax, the converted figure is the full price of each dish (your card's exchange rate may differ slightly).

Frequently asked questions

Is VAT included in restaurant prices in Spain?

Yes. Spanish consumer law requires prices shown to customers to be final and complete, including IVA and any service element. Restaurant service is taxed at the reduced rate of 10%, and that tax is already inside each menu price. Your bill may show a breakdown of the tax, but it should never add it on top.

What is the IVA rate on restaurant food in Spain?

Restaurant and bar service in Spain is taxed at the reduced IVA rate of 10%, including the drinks served with your meal. The rate is set by the Spanish VAT law and confirmed by the Agencia Tributaria. In the Canary Islands, IGIC replaces IVA. Either way, the tax is already included in the menu price.

Can tourists get the VAT back on restaurant meals in Spain?

No. The tax-free shopping scheme refunds VAT on goods that travellers from outside the EU take home with them, not on services consumed in Spain. Restaurant meals, drinks and hotel stays are services, so the IVA in their price is not refundable, whatever the receipt shows.