Skip to content
Back to index
V0500-26 5 March 2026 · SG de Impuestos sobre el Consumo Criterion in force
IVA · consignataria

Crew expenses refacturing liable to 21% VAT in Spain

A ship chartering company asks whether crew expenses (taxis, hotels, medical services) are VAT-exempt under Article 22 of Law 37/1992. The DGT responds that these services serve crew needs, not the ship's direct requirements, and are therefore subject to VAT.

The question raised

Question raised: Whether the rebilling of these expenses is subject to, and if applicable, exempt from Value Added Tax in application of the provisions of Article 22 of Law 37/1992. Otherwise, the applicable tax rate.

The DGT's ruling

Transport, accommodation, or healthcare services for the crew are not considered to be provided to meet the direct needs of the vessels. Therefore, they cannot benefit from the exemption provided in Article 22 of Law 37/1992. The rebilling of these expenses to the shipowner or charterer constitutes a taxable transaction, not exempt, at the general rate of 21%.

Apply this to a real case

What is published here, applied to a company or a specific case. The first meeting is free.

Email
Contact