The "Beckham Law" (officially the Special Tax System for Impatriates) is a Spanish tax regulation allowing expats, such as foreign workers and digital nomads, to be taxed as non-residents for up to six years. It permits a flat 24% rate on income up to €600,000 and exempts most foreign-sourced income (e.g., dividends or rent), making it highly advantageous for high-earners.
To benefit from the Beckhams Law, you'll need to meet a few key requirements. Here's what you must have in place: You must not have been a tax resident in Spain for the five years prior to moving. You must relocate to Spain for work purposes (e.g. with a job offer, intra-company transfer, or digital nomad visa).
If a Spanish employer sent you to work in the US for over five years, your Social Security is taxed in the US. If you're sent to work in the US for less than five years, your Social Security is taxed in Spain. If you're hired in the US, you pay Social Security tax in the US.
One of the main disadvantages of opting for the Beckham Law is that certain exemptions and deductions available under the general regime of the Personal Income Tax (IRPF) do not apply. Firstly, taxpayers under the Beckham Law cannot benefit from the exemptions of Article 7 of the IRPF Law.
Spain's Beckham Law offers a unique tax break for foreign professionals moving to Spain. If you qualify, you can pay a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-sourced income—rather than Spain's standard progressive rates that reach as high as 47%.
Your actual cost of living will depend on where you settle—big cities and coastal areas tend to be pricier. Will I have to pay taxes in Spain as a retiree? If you live in Spain for more than 183 days in a year, you become a tax resident and must pay Spanish taxes on your worldwide income.
To apply for the Beckham Law, you must notify the Spanish tax authorities within six months of starting your employment in Spain. The process involves submitting Form 151, along with supporting documentation such as your employment contract and proof of relocation.
Company shares held by an individual are also exempt from wealth tax provided:
The reasons for their exodus are as diverse as the expats themselves. Some grapple with the anxieties of navigating a labyrinthine bureaucracy, their hopes for a secure retirement in Spain clouded by concerns about residency, healthcare, and pensions.
Normally, persons who are not U.S. citizens may receive U.S. Social Security benefits while outside the U.S. only if they meet certain requirements. Under the agreement, however, you may receive benefits as long as you reside in Spain regardless of your nationality.
Spain does generally have higher tax rates than the US — the top marginal tax rate is 47%, versus 37% in the US. However, there are a number of deductions and allowances you can claim to help lower your tax burden.
Single Individual: Living comfortably may require about 1000 to 1200 EUR monthly. Couple: A combined monthly income of 2000 to 3000 EUR is typically sufficient. Family: A family of four generally needs 3500 to 5000 EUR per month.
While Spain does offer some exemptions on capital gains tax (CGT) for the sale of a main residence, there are strict conditions:
It allowed sellers to claim CGT exemption for the final 36 months of ownership, even if they had moved out. However, this was reduced to 18 months in 2014 and further to 9 months in 2020, which remains the rule today. This general law is in place as it prevents short-term transaction benefits concerning taxation.
To be eligible for this visa, you must meet the following Spanish non-lucrative visa residency requirements: ✅ Have sufficient financial resources (€28,800/year in 2026 + €7,200 per dependent). ✅ Not work in Spain (passive income only). ✅ Have private health insurance with full coverage in Spain.
The "£97 rule" in Spain refers to a Schengen area entry requirement (now around €118/day or €1,065 minimum) for non-EU citizens, requiring proof of sufficient funds for their stay, though Spanish officials call the media hype a "hoax," stating it's rarely enforced for typical tourists but applies to all Schengen countries, not just Spain, and requires showing funds, accommodation, and return tickets.
Spanish tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income, while non-residents are only taxed on Spain-sourced income. For retirees, this often includes pensions, investment income, rental income from property in Spain, or US Social Security received while residing in Spain.
What's Spain's 100% Tax All About? The proposed 100% property tax means that non-EU buyers, including British nationals, would need to pay a tax equal to the property's purchase price. So, let's say you choose to purchase a villa costing €200,000, you will need to pay an extra €200,000 in taxes.
The biggest tax mistakes people make include filing late, math errors, incorrect personal info (like Social Security numbers), forgetting deductions/credits (like EITC), misreporting income, not signing forms, and making errors with bank details for direct deposit, all leading to delays, penalties, or missed savings, with using tax software or professionals helping avoid these common pitfalls.
You need to keep tax-related documents, bank/credit card statements, payroll records, sales records, and investment purchase/sale slips for 7 years to cover potential IRS audits, while records supporting tax deductions (like receipts, bills) should also go with your tax returns for that period; however, tax returns themselves and certain long-term asset records might need to be kept permanently.
Economic means may be accredited by presenting cash, traveller's cheques, a credit card accompanied by a bank account statement, an up-to-date bank book, or any other resource that accredits the amount available, such as a credit statement regarding the card or bank account.