Overview

Effective January 1 2022, Spain’s legal framework for consumer protection now obliges sellers to provide a three‑year guarantee of conformity for all tangible goods delivered to Spanish buyers. The change stems from Royal Decree‑Law 7/2021, which expands the previous two‑year minimum mandated by EU directives. Amazon sellers targeting the Spanish market must adapt their warranty handling, inventory planning, and pricing strategies to remain compliant and avoid disputes.

Key Points

• Three‑year guarantee for physical products — The statutory warranty period for any non‑digital item sold to a consumer in Spain has been increased from two to three years.
• Digital content stays at two years — Services, software downloads, and other intangible offerings continue to be covered by the original two‑year guarantee.
• Seller‑driven remedies required — Within the three‑year window, sellers must either repair the item, replace it with a comparable product, offer a price reduction, or provide a full refund when the goods do not meet the contract specifications.
• Immediate applicability — The rule applies retroactively to all items already listed on Amazon and shipped to Spain; there is no grace period for existing stock.
• EU directives serve as baseline — Spain’s decree aligns with EU Directives 2019/771 (goods) and 2019/770 (digital content) but goes beyond the EU‑wide two‑year floor, setting a stricter national standard.
• Scope includes accessories and spare parts — Guarantees cover not only primary products but also related accessories and replacement components sold alongside the main item.

How the Three‑Year Guarantee Works

1. Consumer files a claim — A buyer contacts Amazon’s customer service within three years of receiving the product, stating that the item is defective or does not match its description. Example: A customer in Madrid reports that a blender stops working after 18 months of normal use.
2. Seller receives the case — Amazon forwards the claim to the responsible seller, who must acknowledge receipt within the platform’s stipulated response time.