Look up a new book in Spain at a neighbourhood bookshop, a chain or a big online store, and you'll see almost the same price everywhere. It isn't chance or a deal between shops: it's the law.
What the law says
Law 10/2007, on reading, books and libraries requires whoever publishes or imports a book to set its retail price. Shops may sell it at between 95% and 100% of that price: a 5% discount at most (article 9). It applies wherever and however the book is sold, and it covers ebooks too (article 2).
The law also bars using books as a lure to sell other things.
When bigger discounts are allowed
Article 11 allows larger discounts in three cases:
- Book Day and the trade's fairs, congresses or exhibitions: up to 10%;
- purchases by libraries, archives, museums, schools, universities and research centres: up to 15%;
- a yearly offer agreed between publishers, distributors and booksellers.
Which books are excluded
Article 10 leaves out of the fixed price, among others:
- used books;
- antiquarian, out-of-print and discontinued books;
- collector's editions and art books;
- school textbooks for primary and lower secondary;
- and any book two years after its last edition, as long as the shop has offered it for at least six months: then it can lower the price.
Not just Spain
France has had the loi Lang since 1981, with the same 5% margin. Germany has its own book price law, ebooks included. In Latin America, Mexico sets a single price for 36 months from printing or reprinting, and Argentina has Law 25.542 on uniform prices, though in July 2026 its government announced it wants to repeal it.
The idea is the same everywhere: price shouldn't be the only way to compete, so small bookshops can survive next to big ones.
That's why Pecia watches second-hand
If a new book costs the same everywhere, comparing new-book prices gets you little. Where prices really move is second-hand: the same title can cost half, or less, in good condition. Pecia watches those prices, shipping included, and tells you when a book you want drops below your maximum. Some are under €5.
And before you buy, check eBiblio: at the library, it's free.