The so called “decimo sanitaria,” an extra tax on petrol imposed since 2002 to fund the national health service in Spain, is illegal and must be repaid, according to a ruling by the EU.
The sentence of the European Tribunal of Justice that it is illegal to impose taxes on petrol to fund the health service includes an order to refund the 146 millions of euros collected since the Government of Jose Maria Aznar imposed the tax 12 years ago.
Anyone who has bought petrol over period 2010 and 2012 (the rest of the period is “prescrito” and thus out of time for refunds) can, in theory, apply for a refund.
However, unless you are the type of person who saves all their petrol receipts, this could prove difficult. Not so for the transport companies who are inline for reimbursements according to their expenditure, providing of course they have records and receipts.
