Right after security in T3, Dufry Duty Free is your main stop for last‑minute buys before Schengen departures.
This store sits airside in Terminal T3, directly after security and before the gates, so you pretty much walk through it on the way to your flight. It runs long hours to match early morning and late‑night departures, so 06:00–22:00 is a safe mental window. Signs for "Duty Free" in T3 point straight at it; you won’t need a detour.
Expect the usual duty free mix: liquor, perfume, makeup, Spanish ham, and chocolates, all in one continuous walkthrough format. Spirits often run a few euros cheaper than central Madrid, especially on 1L bottles of big brands, and you’ll see promo tags right on the shelves. If you want Iberian products, look for vacuum‑packed jamón and turrón with clear EU customs labels so they survive both security and your connection.
Staff usually switch between Spanish and English without drama, and they’ll bag liquids in security‑friendly sealed bags on request. Card payment is normal here, and contactless works for small buys like €5–€15 snacks or souvenirs. Prices sit at typical big‑airport duty free levels, not a bargain outlet, so use it for convenience top‑ups rather than full holiday shopping.
Tip: if you only need one or two things, skip the central aisles and follow the right‑hand edge of the store from the T3 security exit to the gate corridor; it’s the quickest line through the shop.