Good to know · Consumer rights
Shopping rights: warranty, returns and complaints
What consumer authorities say about buying in Spain: a three-year legal guarantee for new consumer goods since 1 January 2022 (never less than one year for second-hand goods bought from a business), a 14-day withdrawal right for distance purchases, no general right to return in-store purchases, the hoja de reclamaciones and the OMIC for complaints, and the European Consumer Center Spain for cross-border purchases.
- Why it matters
- The US 'return it within 30 days' habit does not carry over: in a Spanish shop a return is usually the shop’s own policy, while a faulty product is covered by the legal guarantee. Knowing the difference and the complaint route saves time.
- When
- Something you bought is faulty, you want to return a purchase, or a seller does not answer.
- Official page
- Compras online: garantías
- Last checked
- 25 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 5 steps, what to bring (3 items), the 2 offices with addresses and hours, and 3 Easy to miss lines, with every official source.
One Easy to miss, on us
Second-hand goods bought from a business can have a guarantee shorter than three years, but never less than one year; the CEC-España page says products bought from private individuals or at public auctions are not covered.