Carrefour: Savings for over 65′s & families with 3+ kids

As with all offers there’s the big headline, the sub-header and the small print. In this case the big headline is “VAT* discounted”; underneath that it says “on fresh produce” and, at the foot of the page explaining the big asterisk, is a list of the products included in the promotion. IVA in Spain is generally thought of as being 18%, however on fresh produce it’s applied either at the rate of 4% or 8% as follows:

• Fish, meat, cold meats (both pre-packed and sold by weight): 8%
• Cheese, eggs, fruit, vegetables, bread: 4%

As we always advocate on Money Saver Spain that you need to compare prices before buying, it turns out that Carrefour is already one of the cheapest supermarkets for fresh produce in Spain (in accordance with a study carried out by a Spanish consumer group). Of course what you need to watch out for is spending on other items whilst shopping, although Carrefour tends to be in the third or fourth position in the ranking for cheap supermarkets.

How can you take advantage of this offer if you’re not over 65? Well, a couple of ways are possible. First of all you can get a card for a relative who is over 65 (if not Spanish, then the person must have a NIE number in Spain) and use it to purchase online as this promotion can also be used at Carrefour’s online supermarket. Alternatively you can shop with a friend who has the card and then split the bill (and the shopping) when you get back home.

As for the latest initiative if you have 3 or more kids, or in some regions a single parent with 2 or more kids, and have a “Familia Numerosa” card (see here how to get one) you just need to request at your local Carrefour the new “Superfamilias” card to get the discounts.

Remember that as well as at supermarkets, the both cards can also be used at Carrefour Market and Carrefour Express – the smaller establishments which are found in many towns in Spain.