Having just moved to Spain, it feels like I need to buy everything from scratch, and the first place that comes to mind is an Amazon shopping spree. However, the delivery speed here seems quite different from what I’m used to. I’ve seen many people on forums asking how long an order from Amazon Spain typically takes to arrive, so I’ll share my experience to hopefully help out fellow newcomers.
Being a Prime member makes a huge difference. If you have Prime and are buying items sold by Amazon or eligible for Prime delivery, the speed is quite impressive. I live in Madrid’s city center, and for most items ordered on a weekday morning, I can get next-day delivery. Sometimes, it even arrives on the same day, which is a fantastic experience.
However, if you’re not a Prime member or you’re buying from a third-party seller, the delivery time can be less predictable. Based on my experience, standard shipping usually takes 3 to 5 business days. It’s important to note the emphasis on ‘business days’—couriers in Spain generally don’t operate on weekends or public holidays. If you place an order on a Thursday afternoon, you might not receive it until the following Tuesday or Wednesday. Furthermore, the dispatch speed of third-party sellers can be inconsistent; it’s common for some sellers to take an extra day or two to ship the item.
Key Factors Affecting Delivery Speed
1. Geographical Location
This one is easy to understand. The delivery time will definitely vary depending on whether you live in a big city versus a remote town or on an island. Major cities have Amazon’s own warehouses and logistics networks, so speeds are naturally faster. I have a friend who lives in a small village in Galicia; even with Prime, his packages usually take 2-3 business days to arrive.
2. Courier Company
Amazon Spain partners with many courier companies, the most common ones being Seur, Correos Express, MRW, CTT, and Amazon’s own Amazon Logistics. From my observation, Amazon Logistics and Seur are relatively the fastest and most reliable, while Correos Express can sometimes be a bit slow. You can check which company is handling your delivery in the order details.
Below is a general reference table for delivery times based on my personal experience:
| User Type / Location | Delivery Time | Notes |
|---|
| Prime Member (Major Cities) | 1-2 business days | Same-day or next-day delivery possible for eligible items |
| Prime Member (Remote Areas) | 2-3 business days | Depends on the distance from the fulfillment center |
| Non-Prime User | 3-5 business days | Free shipping orders often require a minimum purchase |
| Balearic/Canary Islands | 5-10 business days or more | Shipping and customs clearance take time |
If you shop online frequently in Spain, getting a Prime membership is quite worthwhile. Not only do you get faster shipping, but you also gain access to services like Prime Video. Of course, if you’re not in a hurry for your Amazon Spain order, standard delivery is perfectly fine—it just requires a bit more patience. What has your delivery experience with Amazon been like? Share where you are and how long it usually takes for your packages to arrive!
