We compared the regular (not sale) prices of more than 9,000 Zara items on its websites in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, the UK, the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada, in your own currency and after each country’s tourist tax refund. Spain was the cheapest country for 85% of them, Portugal for 9%, Germany for 3% and Japan for 2%. The order is the same whether you live in the US, the UK or Canada.
How much you save, by country
Typical saving for shoppers who live in:
| Shopping in | US | UK | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 54% | 36% | 40% |
| Portugal | 47% | 27% | 31% |
| Germany | 39% | 15% | 22% |
| Italy | 38% | 15% | 21% |
| France | 37% | 15% | 21% |
| Japan | 37% | 11% | 20% |
| South Korea | 27% | same | 4% |
| UK | 25% | – | 8% |
| Canada | 20% | 8% more | – |
| Australia | 9% | 27% more | 19% more |
| US | – | 34% more | 25% more |
Regular prices from Zara’s websites on 16–18 October 2026, converted at the European Central Bank’s rates of 16 October 2026. US and Canadian prices include the average sales tax (7.53% and 12.3%), as the app does.
Why Spain wins
- Spain is Zara’s home market, and its tags are the lowest in euros: 96% of items cost more on Zara’s French website than its Spanish one. The ballet flats below are €59.95 in Spain and Portugal and €69.95 in France, Italy and Germany.
- Spain has no minimum spend for the tourist tax refund, so even one T-shirt gets the tax back. Portugal needs €61.50 on one receipt, Germany more than €50, Italy more than €70 and France €100.01 in one shop on one day.
- For US and Canadian shoppers, prices at home add sales tax at the till, which the tags in Europe already include and you claim back.
An example
Zara’s leather ballet flats (4510/810) were €59.95 in Spain and US$129 in the US. For a US shopper that’s about US$139 at home with sales tax, and about US$59 in Spain after the tax refund: 57% less. A UK shopper pays £69.99 at home and about £44 in Spain (37% less), a Canadian CA$145 with tax and about CA$83 in Spain (42% less).
Australia is different
Zara Australia runs its own range, so only about 2,600 of its items are also sold elsewhere. Those cost more there than at home for UK and Canadian shoppers, and only 9% less for US shoppers.
The tax refund in Spain
- Spanish prices include 21% VAT. If you live outside the EU, you can claim it back.
- Spain has no minimum spend, so even one T-shirt qualifies. Ask for a tax-free form at the till and show your passport.
- Before you check your bags, scan each form at a DIVA kiosk at the Spanish airport or port. Leaving the EU from another country? Take a printed copy.
- Take the goods out of the EU within 3 months of buying.
- Refund companies keep a fee. We assume you get about three quarters of the tax back, roughly 13% of the price on the tag.
EU residents can’t claim the refund anywhere in the EU. UK residents can, since 2021.
In a shop right now? Scan the tag and see its price in 11 countries, in your own currency, with the tax refund taken off. Not there yet? Plan your trip: save what you want and see what the whole list saves you before you fly.
More guides
- Is Zara cheaper in Spain?Yes: 54% less for US shoppers, 36% for UK, 40% for Canadians.
- Is Mango cheaper in Spain?Yes: about half the US or Canadian price, a third less than the UK.
- Is Massimo Dutti cheaper in Spain?Yes: well under half the US price, two fifths less than the UK.
- Tourist tax refunds, country by countryMinimum spends, deadlines and how to claim in 8 countries.