A guide to taxes and pensions in Spain

A guide to taxes and pensions in Spain


Articles on Spanish taxes for expat residents and property owners in Spain, plus some advice for expat pensioners living in Spain.

Please note the information provided in this section is of general interest only and is not to be construed or intended as substitute for professional legal advice. Laws and tax rates change over time, so this information may be out of date. Please consult a tax specialist or the tax authorities for the latest information. There are no guarantees that this information is correct and up-to-date, so you use this information at your own risk.

Some of these articles are by Blevins Franks International and published here with their permission.

  • Inheritance Tax in Spain
    Spanish Inheritance Tax has to be paid by the heirs or beneficiaries of the deceased, in contrast to countries like the United Kingdom, where Inheritance tax is paid out of the estate of the deceased.
  • Property taxes for non-residents
    The following tables explain the taxes that non-residents are obliged to pay to the Spanish tax authorities as a consequence of owning property in Spain.
  • Spanish Capital Gains Tax Rates on Property
    When you sell a property in Spain you have to pay capital gains tax on any profit after taking into account all deductions and allowances.
  • Spanish income tax for expatriates
    The key things expatriates need to know about becoming a taxpayers in Spain by Blevins Franks
  • Spanish Inheritance Tax, also know as Succession Tax
    It is important for anyone who owns property in Spain, or other Spanish assets, to familiarise themselves with Spanish succession tax on inheritances. It is different from UK inheritance tax and has a real top rate of nearly 82%! It is payable if the beneficiary resides in Spain or the asset being passed on is in Spain.
  • Spanish Wealth Tax (Patrimonio)
    The Spanish wealth tax, known as patrimonio, might catch you buy surprise.
  • The Plusvalia Property Tax in Spain
    Here we explain the Plusvalía Municipal tax, a type of local or municipal capital gains tax on property in Spain.
  • Three percent Capital Gains Tax retention on property sales by non-residents
    Explanation of the Spanish capital gains tax retention, or three percent withholding tax, on property sales by non-residents
  • Transfer tax on resale homes – Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP)
    Home buyers in Spain have to pay a transfer tax, known as ITP (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales) when they buy a resale property. The rate varies from region to region
  • How you become a tax resident in Spain
    If you move to Spain permanently for six months or more you will almost certainly become tax resident and be obliged to pay income, capital gains, and wealth taxes on your worldwide assets and be subject to Spanish inheritance and gifts tax rules. By Blevins Franks
  • Are you resident in Spain for tax purposes?
    It can be surprisingly difficult to establish one’s tax residence in certain circumstances. The onus is on the taxpayer to get it right in order to avoid the charge of tax evasion, which can lead to financial penalties and/or criminal charges. By Blevins Franks.
  • Non-resident tax summary
    The acquisition of a real estate in Spain by a non-resident natural person entails periodic tax obligations which go beyond the initial payment of those taxes derived from the act of acquisition (Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido or Value Added Tax, Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales or Transfer Tax, or Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones or Inheritance and Gift Tax, as applicable) or annual payment of other taxes of local nature (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles or Property Tax, Tasa de recogida de basuras or Garbage Tax, etc.).
  • A double tax saving opportunity
    Blevins Franks explain the double tax saving opportunity in the light of the EU-wide Savings Tax Directive of July 2005.
  • Preparing for retirement in Spain
    Are you planning to retire in Spain? If so, now is the time to review your finances to ensure you can afford your dream and that you’ll have enough capital to support you right through your retirement years. By Blevins Franks

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