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Beckham’s Law Explained (Spain’s Non-Domiciled Tax Scheme)

My Spain Residency, November, 8. 2023

 

Marbella-based Larraín Nesbitt Abogados (LNA) has over 20 years’ taxation & conveyancing experience at your service. We offer a wide range of 50 legal and corporate services. Our team of native English-speaking lawyers and economists have a long track record successfully assisting expats all over Spain.

 

You can review here our client’s testimonials.

 

Article copyrighted © 2023. Plagiarism will be criminally prosecuted.

 

 

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt
Director of Larraín Nesbitt Lawyers
1st November 2023

 

In 2015, Spain introduced a special tax regime for wealthy EU expatriates who relocate to Spain. Following in the footsteps of other countries’ successful non-domiciled tax schemes, namely the United Kingdom, the self-declared goal of this programme is to attract high achievers to relocate to Spain on the back of a job offer. The typical taxpayer profile that qualifies would be a high-profile artist, techy, high-ranking corporate employee, etc. Over 10,000 foreigners settled in Spain have benefitted from this special tax arrangement.

 

In a nutshell, this tax scheme allows EU nationals to make spectacular tax savings on paying Income Tax in Spain (IRPF). If you opt into this scheme, you stand to benefit from substantial tax breaks on both income derived in Spain as well as worldwide income.

 

On opting into this special tax regime, a legal fiction takes place whereby EU expats are treated (for admin purposes) as if they are a resident taxpayer in Spain. Albeit in practice, for tax purposes, the taxpayer is regarded as a non-resident. Meaning you in fact get the best of both worlds; you get all the perks from being legally resident in Spain, yet you pay a substantially lower tax bill as you are deemed in practice as a non-resident taxpayer.

 

 

Who can apply?

 

 

  • Any European Union national relocating to Spain as a result of a professional contract. You need to be hired by a Spanish company or else by a foreign company with a permanent establishment in Spain. The contract is the core requirement to opt into this tax scheme. Non-EUs may also apply but may require a visa to live and work in Spain. Non-EUs are advised to benefit instead from a Digital Nomad Visa, which offers almost identical tax benefits and is also a visa permit.
  • Not to have resided in Spain on the previous 10 years.
  • No earnings derived from a permanent establishment in Spain.

 

 

The tax benefits

 

 

  • Spanish income. The first €600,000 earned from a source within Spanish territory will be taxed at a flat rate of 24% (in lieu of the standard top marginal rate of 47%). As can be surmised, even for earnings whose source is derived exclusively in Spanish territory, the tax savings are huge.
  • Worldwide income. However, it is here where this tax scheme truly shines and comes into its own. Spanish Tax Authorities only tax you on your income derived within Spanish territory. Meaning, any other source of worldwide income is tax-exempt (just like with the popular UKs non-dom tax scheme). Needless to say, this unique tax advantage offers a hugely attractive prospect for those taxpayers with substantial earnings, assets, and interests overseas. The only exception is any income derived abroad from working.  
  • Exempt from submitting tax return 720
  • Exempt from submitting wealth tax *
  • Five years plus one. Because of its outstanding tax advantages, the government time gates the tax benefits. It applies on the fiscal year of relocation as well as on the following five years (total up to six years).

 

 

*contingent on the value of your Spanish estate.

 

 

Potential disadvantages

 

 

  • As written above, a legal fiction applies whereby you are regarded as a non-resident taxpayer (non-domiciled). The implication of this is that as you are not regarded as a tax resident, you may not benefit from lenient tax allowances on personal income tax as would be standard practice.
  • This tax scheme only works out if the taxpayer's country of origin has a double taxation treaty in place with Spain.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Beckham’s Law addresses a gap for high-end professionals who wish to relocate to Spain (on the back of a job contract), alone or with their families, and enjoy all the country has to offer, including ultra-low taxes, regardless of where they settle down in Spain i.e. in Mallorca.

 

If you are a high-flyer, don’t fancy paying many taxes, and wish to relocate to Spain (legally), this is the tax scheme for you. Give us a call!

 

In effect, this blue-ribbon tax scheme allows you, and your family, to get the best of both worlds; you get to enjoy all the perks of being legally resident in Spain albeit you are fiscally treated as a non-resident taxpayer, paying little to no tax. In my book, that’s a win-win.

 

At Larrain Nesbitt Abogados, we offer the following immigration service: Beckham's Law

 

 

 

Please note the information provided in this article is of general interest only and is not to be construed or intended as a substitute for professional legal advice. This article may be posted freely in websites or other social media so long as the author is duly credited. Plagiarizing, whether in whole or in part, this article without crediting the author may result in criminal prosecution. Ní neart go cur le chéile. VOV.

 

2.023 © Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt. All Rights Reserved.

Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa Explained (Pensioner’s Visa)

My Spain Residency, October, 10. 2023

Lawyer Raymond Nesbitt explains to us one of four legal ways to bypass the pesky 90/180-day rule that now affects all UK nationals post-Brexit.

 

Marbella-based Larraín Nesbitt Abogados (LNA) has over 20 years’ taxation & conveyancing experience at your service. We offer a wide range of 50 legal and corporate services. Our team of native English-speaking lawyers and economists have a long track record successfully assisting expats all over Spain.

 

You can review here our client’s testimonials.

 

Article copyrighted © 2023. Plagiarism will be criminally prosecuted.

 

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt
Director of Larraín Nesbitt Lawyers
8th of October 2023

 

The non-lucrative visa has proven wildly successful over the last few years. The typical applicants are a retired couple who wish to spend their twilight years enjoying the very best of the gorgeous Spanish weather & fine food at affordable prices.

 

Please note this visa service is only open to non-EU residents (i.e. British).

 

NLV general requirements

 

  • Not to be already in Spain illegally at the time of making the application.
  • Clean criminal record (previous 5 years).
  • Hire your own health or medical insurance (full coverage) with a Spanish healthcare provider (applicants must be under 75 y.o. to apply).
  • €29,000 in savings for the main applicant. For every additional dependant, you need to add a further €8,000.
  • You must not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions.
  • Proof you can secure accommodation in Spain.
  • You cannot work in Spain, you can also not be working at the time of making the application.

 

 

LNA offers the following visa service (Ts & Cs apply): Non-Lucrative Visa

 

Available from us for only £300/applicant, plus VAT.

 

What’s holding you back from enjoying a well-earned retirement? Give us a call.

 

You can call us at our UK line: (+44) 07543838218

 

LNA has a 100% track record of attaining Spanish visas & residency permits

 

Larraín Nesbitt Lawyers, small on fees, big on service. Your family’s success is only one call away: (+44) 07543838218.

 

At Larrain Nesbitt Abogados, we have assisted hundreds of EU and non-EU nationals to successfully attain Spanish residency permits & visas.

 

Interested? Come and speak to Larraín Nesbitt Abogados’ friendly staff who will be pleased to guide you through the different residency options, choosing the one that appeals to you most.

Spanish Golden Visa: 10 reasons to apply

My Spain Residency, June, 13. 2023

 

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt
Director of Larraín Nesbitt Abogados
8th of June 202

 

1. Golden Visas do not automatically make you tax resident in Spain upon renewal, unlike every other visa in Spain. This is a unique tax advantage exclusive only to GVs. No other visa in Spain shares this unique trait. Only for this reason, affluent investors will find it most appealing if they do not fancy paying taxes in Spain.

2. Allows you to (legally) override the 90/180-day that limits stay in Spain (and by extension in the Schengen Area/EU). This visa allows you unfettered access to Spain. You can enter and leave the country when and as you please, even overriding Covid flight bans, as you will hold a select residency permit that (very) few people hold.

3. Clear rules. Initially granted for 3 years, then renewable every 5 years.

4. No minimum stay is required. You can spend as little as only one day in Spain, or the full year-round, at your choice.

5. Fast-tracked. Golden visa applications are greatly expedited by rapport to standard visa applications. Golden visas are granted in only 3 weeks through us.

6. Streamlined. Golden Visa applications are (greatly) streamlined, removing all the unnecessary admin red tape normally associated to standard visa applications, making applicant’s lives easier.

7. The whole family is included as dependents, even ascendants (such as grandparents).*

8. You can work in Spain (optional).

9. Leads to permanent residency (optional).

10. Leads to Spanish citizenship (optional).

 

*(subject to criteria)

 

Conclusion

 

The European Commission does not like golden visas.

 

The Spanish government doesn’t like golden visas either (although it greatly benefits from them).

 

Several countries in Europe don’t like them either and have already scrapped them in a trend that is growing and gathering pace throughout all the Union (Ireland, Portugal, etc).

 

On the back of this burgeoning trend, several political parties have piled pressure on the government to suppress them altogether registering proposals at congress (Mas Pais, Podemos, etc). The Spanish government jumped on the bandwagon last month, and made public it will either scrap golden visas, or raise the cap to €1,000,000. It seems they are leaning towards the latter (raising the cap, meaning doubling the required minimum investment).

 

So, what does all this mean for applicants? It means the window of opportunity to attain a golden visa in Spain, by way of investing €500,000 in real estate, is waning by the day. Over the next months, the Spanish government will approve to raise the cap, as reported by El Pais, in effect doubling the minimum investment to 1mn. Anyone who cannot afford to spend a minimum of one million euros in real estate, will be left out in the cold.

 

We strongly advise all non-EUs – who are considering filing for a golden visa in Spain – to do so immediately, before the window of opportunity closes. Obviously, if you are a multi-millionaire, this change does not concern you. But there is also the distinct possibility of the government caving into the political pressure and shutting down golden visas for good, in line with other fellow EU countries.

 

In any event, all would-be golden visa applicants, affluent or not, are strongly advised to act sooner rather than regret it later.

 

At Larrain Nesbitt Abogados, we have made true the dreams of hundreds of non-EU investors, and their families, assisting them to attain a Golden Visa since its inception in 2013. You can browse our clients’ visa testimonials here.

 

Your family’s success is only one call away: (+34) 952 19 22 88

 

Golden Visa (investor visa)

 

Larrain Nesbitt Abogados has a 100% track record of attaining Spanish residency.

 

Golden Visa: Spanish Government planning to either scrap it, or raise the cap to €1mn

My Spain Residency, May, 15. 2023

 

14th of May 2023

 

The Spanish Golden Visa is a success story.

 

Spain has become the number one Golden Visa provider in the European Union since it was introduced in 2013, attracting billions of euros which have contributed to creating countless jobs and improving the productive economy.

 

Out of all the visas available in Spain, it is hands down the one that offers the best perks, along with the new Digital Nomad Visa (known popularly as the tax-free visa), including one which is exclusive to it (explained below) and which strongly appeals to affluent investors.

 

Podemos, the pro-Russian, hard-left (read communist) junior partner of the socialist government is applying inordinate piles of pressure on the Spanish Government to either scrap it or else to raise the bar.

Almost on a weekly basis, El Pais newspaper (which is basically the Government’s spokesperson) publishes articles and thoughtful editorials raising voices against Spain’s popular Golden Visa programme, aimed at HNWIs. The unhidden discontent, which oozes from them, is now gaining traction, especially given how we have entered an electorate phase, and garnering the political support of Podemos is key to ensuring the survival of this government. Attacking the evil rich always attracts votes on poll day for left wing parties, especially on attacking foreigners who are banned from voting on national elections: win-win.

 

This new trend follows on the back of other Union countries which have scrapped Golden Visas (Ireland and Portugal). It’s no secret the European Commission regularly nudges all EU Member states, including Spain, to eliminate Golden Visas as they are seen as a privileged gateway for affluent applicants to bypass stringent migration rules to attain a blue-ribbon free pass. 

 

As a result of this ongoing (unjustified) hate campaign against Golden Visas, the government has now officially announced this week through Pravda El Pais that it is now studying on whether to scrap it, in line with other Union countries and with what its junior (communist) partner demands, or else to raise the bar and make it (yet) more difficult (read onerous) for applicants to access it.  

 

The Spanish Government seems to be gravitating towards the latter, increasing the residential requirement to €1mn euros (was €500,000, a 100% increase). There are multiple ways to attain a Golden Visa in Spain, but the one that is by far the most popular (and cheapest) option is to invest €500,000 in real estate. All other Golden Visa options require investing a minimum of €1,000,000, or more, to attain it. The government is now arguing that all it is really doing with the residential option (buying real estate) is bringing it in line with the remaining options (investments, bank deposits, development, etc), which are far less popular amongst investors.

 

This change is clearly a wake-up call for all those investors who had been sitting on the line for a number of years expecting Golden Visa requirements to be lowered (sic). This is not going to happen; furthermore, it is all too clear now that, if anything, they will be sharply increased.

 

My advice to all would-be applicants is to apply for a Golden Visa now, as soon as possible, as in the best case scenario the investment requirement on residential properties is going to doubled shortly (likely ahead of the national elections this year’s fall to make a nice newspaper headline to attract yet more votes). In the worst case scenario, it is going to be scrapped in line with fellow Union countries.

 

Either way, investors mulling this option, should make a decision soon or risk losing the GV train.

 

Did you know that Golden Visas apply retrospectively? If you have invested in Spain €500,000 in real estate on or after the 28th of September 2013, you may already pre-qualify for one!

 

Interested? Come and speak to Larraín Nesbitt Abogados friendly staff who will be pleased to guide you through Spain’s Golden Visa programme. On applying for a Golden Visa, we assign you one of our immigration lawyers, who will be assisted by one of our in-house visa specialists, guiding and hand holding you through the whole procedure.

 

At Larrain Nesbitt Abogados, we have made true the dreams of hundreds of non-EU investors, and their families, assisting them to attain a Golden Visa since its inception in 2013. You can browse our clients’ visa testimonials here.

 

Apply for the keys to your Golden Visa through Larraín Nesbitt AbogadosGolden Visa Service.

 

Your family’s success is only one call away: (+34) 952 19 22 88

Tax advantages of Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa

My Spain Residency, March, 28. 2023

 

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt
Director of Larraín Nesbitt Abogados
21st of March 2023

 

The new Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) offers unique tax advantages that no other Spanish visa can match. Its main outlier - and what distinguishes it from other available visas - is precisely the wide array of tax benefits it offers. The DNV has been purposely devised so successful applicants pay few taxes; the purpose is to incentivize these overachievers to move and work (remotely) in Spain.


The DNV is modelled after Beckham’s Law, enacted in 2015, and which applies to EU residents which in turn was inspired by the UK’s wildly popular Non-Domiciled taxpayer scheme.


It’s a legal fiction whereby a non-EU taxpayer is treated as a non-fiscal resident in Spain, but for administrative purposes, they are regarded as fully resident in Spain. The tax significance of this nuance simply cannot be understated enough and opens the door to a slew of tax benefits I collate below.


Precisely because of its huge tax advantages, the law time-gates it to a maximum of only five years.


Needless to say, a DNV makes you tax resident in Spain (that’s precisely the whole point!).


Because of its nature (to attract talented individuals), and similar to Golden Visas, all applications are fast-tracked. Meaning that in under one month you know if you’ve been accepted.


In a nutshell, the DNV is all about paying little to no tax.

DNV tax benefits


•    All income & assets held abroad go untaxed. In other words, any source of worldwide income is tax-exempt (just like with the popular UKs non-dom tax scheme).
•    DNV holders only pay tax strictly on the income they derive working remotely in Spain for a foreign employer. They will pay a flat tax rate of 24% on the first €600,000 of gross annual earnings over a five-year period.
•    They are not required to file a 720 tax return (unlike Spanish tax residents)
•    The are not required to file Wealth Tax (unlike Spanish tax residents)
•    You can request to defer the payment of tax on the first and second year without penalties or delay interests being rolled on top (as is standard)
•    For the purposes of other tax agencies, you are considered tax resident in Spain.
 
MySpainResidency has a 100% track record of attaining Spanish residency
 
 
 
At MySpainResidency, we have assisted hundreds of EU and non-EU nationals to successfully attain a Spanish residency permit.
 


Interested? Come and speak to our friendly staff who will be pleased to guide you through the different residency options, choosing the one that appeals to you most. Your family’s success is only one call away.

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa approved!

My Spain Residency, December, 29. 2022

 

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt
Director of Larraín Nesbitt Abogados
29th of December 2022

 

The Digital Nomad Visa was approved in Spain on the 23rd of December 2022.

 

The DNV is extensive to family members i.e. spouse and children under the age of 18 years old.

 

It allows you to work remotely from Spain.

 

The main advantage of a DNV is that it grants its applicants a special tax regime whereby they pay very few taxes as opposed to the standard IRPF (personal income tax) sliding scale.

 

Applications are now open for this visa. Please contact us to get the ball rolling.

 

Our law firm has a track record of 100% attaining Spanish residency permits.

 

 

Main advantages

 

  • Five-year residency permit. Initially on a one-year application, followed by two-year renewals up to a total of 5 years. The visa extends to the family of the main applicant.
  • Allows you to work in Spain remotely. Moreover, it encourages you to work in Spain, specifically remotely with your laptop (or desktop).
  • Allows you to legally override the 90/180-day rule that limits stay in Spain (and by extension in the Schengen Area/EU).
  • Tax breaks for the foreign employer (if it has an establishment in Spain)
  • Tax breaks for the employee (DNV applicant). This is the core advantage. It basically applies a privileged non-domiciled tax scheme to visa holders that allows them to pay a flat tax rate of only 24% on the first €600,000 of gross annual earnings over a five-year period.

 

Requirements

 

  • You need to prove you are hired by a foreign company. This is the core requirement.
  • You need to prove you have formal academic qualifications i.e. a university degree, business school or professional qualification.
  • You need to prove you have at least 3 years of work experience.
  • Not to have resided in Spain in the previous 5 years.
  • Not to obtain income from a permanent establishment in Spain.

 

If you wish to apply for a DNV, our law firm offers this visa service: Digital Nomad Visa

 

MySpainResidency has a 100% track record of attaining Spanish residency

 

 

 

At MySpainResidency, we have assisted hundreds of EU and non-EU nationals to successfully attain a Spanish residency permit.

 

Interested? Come and speak to our friendly staff who will be pleased to guide you through the different residency options, choosing the one that appeals to you most. Your family’s success is only one call away.

 

Email: info@myspainresidency.com 

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa

My Spain Residency, October, 14. 2022

 

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt

14th October 2022

 

In a nutshell, the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV, going forward) introduces great tax breaks (for both employers and employees), streamlines the visa procedure (reducing waiting times), it allows for greater freedom, and most fundamentally reduces the admin control on applicants

 

This visa is tailor made for high achievers enticing them with one-of-a-kind tax breaks. Frankly, it doesn’t get any better than this.

 

It’s no secret the expectation for the approval of this visa is through the roof. It is hands down the most anticipated visa. For the avoidance of doubt, the DNV is in its last stages of approval, so it is still a draft bill. We expect it to be passed over the next months. Personally, I believe the DNV will in time become the second most sought-after visa following the coveted Golden Visa. 

 

I collate below in bullet points its main advantages and requirements, but with the caveat that some of the highlighted points below may yet be modified by lawmakers on being enacted.

 

Main advantages

 

  • Five-year residency permit. Initially on a one-year application, followed by two-year renewals up to a total of 5 years. The visa extends to the family of the main applicant.
  • It allows you to work in Spain remotely. Moreover, it encourages you to work in Spain, specifically remotely with your laptop (or desktop if you happen to be a dinosaur like me). Unlike other Spanish residency permits (i.e. Non-Lucrative Visa which bans you from working in Spain, even remotely) this visa actively promotes you working in Spain (remotely).
  • Allows you to legally override the 90/180-day rule that limits stay in Spain (and by extension in the Schengen Area/EU.
  • Tax breaks for the foreign employer (if it has an establishment in Spain).
  • Tax breaks for the employee (DNV applicant). This is the core advantage. It basically applies a privileged non-domiciled tax scheme to visa holders that allows them to pay a flat tax rate of only 15% on the first €600,000 of gross annual earnings over a five-year period. Over and above said threshold, they are taxed at the standard top marginal rate of 47%. This greatly empowers digital nomad visa holders to legally circumvent the standard IRPF tax sliding scale that applies to the rest of us punters who are tax resident in Spain. Ah yes, so much for equality.
  • The legal limitation to benefit from the non-dom tax scheme of 5 years is waived and extended up to 10 years.
  • The standard limitation of not having being resident in Spain over the previous 10 years is reduced to only 5 years.

Requirements

 

  • You need to prove you are hired by a foreign company. This is the core requirement. I.e. a freelance IT artist with a contract.
  • You need to prove you have formal academic qualifications (i.e. 3-year university degree).
  • You need to prove you have at least 3 years of work experience.

 

 

In conclusion

 

The Digital Nomad Visa addresses a gap for high-end professionals that wish to relocate to Spain, alone or with their families, and enjoy all the country has to offer, including ultra-low taxes, regardless of where they settle down in Spain.

 

In effect, you get the best of both worlds; you get to enjoy all the perks of being resident in Spain albeit you are fiscally treated as a non-resident, paying (significantly) fewer taxes.

 

In my book, that’s a win-win.

 

 

Once approved, our law firm will offer this visa service: Digital Nomad Visa

 

MySpainResidency has a 100% track record of attaining Spanish residency

 

 

At MySpainResidency, we have assisted hundreds of EU and non-EU nationals to successfully attain a Spanish residency permit.

 

Interested? Come and speak to our friendly staff who will be pleased to guide you through the different residency options, choosing the one that appeals to you most. Your family’s success is only one call away.

 

Email: info@myspainresidency.com 

Tel: (+34) 951 894 675

The importance of securing private healthcare cover in Spanish visa applications

My Spain Residency, August, 1. 2022

 

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt


1st of August 2022

 

A staple requirement across all visa types in Spain (including a Golden Visa) is that applicants need to secure private health cover from a Spanish-based provider. This requirement is in place to avoid applicants claiming benefits or using the Spanish public healthcare services.

 

As a general rule, Spanish healthcare companies do not accept applicants over the age of 70 years old. Very few accept from 70 to 75, and none over 75 years old. The impact of this cannot be understated. In effect, this means that applicants aged 75, or over, are barred in practice from applying for a Spanish visa.

 

Bottom line, if you and your loved ones plan at some point to retire to Spain and apply for residency, please plan ahead to ensure you do so before you hit the ages of 70 -75 years old.

 

 

MySpainResidency has a 100% track record attaining Spanish residency

 

At MySpainResidency, we have assisted hundreds of EU and non-EU nationals to successfully attain a Spanish residency permit.

 

Interested? Come and speak to our friendly staff who will be pleased to guide you through the different residency options, choosing the one that appeals to you most. Your family’s success is only one call away: (+34) 951 894 675

Working remotely from Spain

My Spain Residency, April, 1. 2022

 

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt


Director of Larraín Nesbitt Abogados


8th of April 2022

 

War, Covid-19, high taxes, lousy weather, living new experiences, enjoying quality of life, etc There are simply too many reasons to collate on why people decide to pack up and move over to Spain.

 

It is undeniable that the virus outbreak has changed and shaped our mentality redefining our outlook on life. Millions of workers the world over have taken time to sit down and reflect upon their lives. Thousands have handed in their resignation and have made the decision to set up shop in Spain.

 

Spain has so much to offer that it comes as no surprise how over the last two years dozens of thousands of talented individuals, and their families, have made the move and are now living the (great) life in Spain. As a result of this large influx of foreign remote workers, the Spanish Government has seen fit to approve a bill that further improves and expands work conditions to attract talented immigrants: Spain’s new Entrepreneur Law.

 

In this short article, I give some basic pointers so you can plan ahead:

 

  1. Residency permit. Whether you belong or not to the European Union, if you spend more than 90 consecutive days in Spain within a calendar year, you need to apply for a residency permit. The main difference is that EU nationals are fast-tracked and can easily attain one at a very competitive cost. Non-EUs (i.e. British) are required to attain a visa to bypass the dreaded 90/180-day rule. We cover the topic of all the visas available in our in-depth immigration article: How to spend over 90 days in Spain – Residency visa overview.

 

  1. Work permit. EU nationals can automatically work in Spain without any further red tape, but what about non-EUs? Non-EUs require a work permit to work in Spain. Not all visas have associated a right to work in Spain. Visas which do are: Golden Visa, Marriage Visa, Business Visa, Work Visa. A Student Visa does not allow you to work but you can do internships in companies. A new visa will be approved further on this year which is the optimal choice for remote workers: digital nomad visa. It has associated significant tax

 

  1. Taxation. Spain is not a uniform country. It is comprised by a series of nations that speak their own regional languages, have their own cultural heritage and bear their own idiosyncrasy. Spanish is the official language that applies nationwide, but there are four other languages that are also used regionally. As a result of this diversity, regions have devolved competencies on several matters, including taxation. This is extremely relevant, as there are huge variations (understatement) when it comes to taxing legal or physical persons on income tax, inheritance, gift tax etc. Some regions are tax-friendly (Andalusia, Madrid), with ultra-low taxation, whereas other regions in Spain have very high taxes in place. Before you make the move to Spain, for your own sake, make sure you have researched the taxation of the region you pick.  
  2.  
  3. Climate. Spain has a diverse climatology, it’s not all sun and palm trees. As a general rule, Mediterranean coastal areas have a pleasant and mild all-year-round weather. Inland and Atlantic coastal areas are cold and rainy with sharp contrasts in temperature between winter and summer.

 

  1. Language. You know that Spanish you learnt in secondary? Well, it may be for naught if you choose the wrong region in Spain. As written above, in Spain we have four co-official languages besides Spanish. In some regions, with strong nationalist views (read separatist) Spanish is shunned and they do not even use it on official administrative procedures or schools. Please ensure the region of Spain you pick actually does use Spanish. This is obviously a non-issue for those that don’t speak Spanish.

 

  1. Accommodation. The best advice I always give is that when you have chosen an area to settle down in, before you commit buying any property, you should rent out a place for 4 to 6 months. Bear in mind, tourist hotspots change dramatically from low to high season. That quiet shack on the beach next to you, that remains shut all winter, springs into life during the summer season with booming latino music for 3 months non-stop!

 

To close, I add my shameless plug on the beautiful region of Andalusia, which ticks all the boxes above! This could be your new life in Spain: The Passion of Andalusia.

 

MySpainResidency has a 100% track record attaining Spanish residency

 

At MySpainResidency, we have assisted hundreds of EU and non-EU nationals to successfully attain a Spanish residency permit.

 

Interested? Come and speak to our friendly staff who will be pleased to guide you through the different residency options, choosing the one that appeals to you most. Your family’s success is only one call away: (+34) 951 894 675

 

The Spanish Golden Visa: 8 reasons to apply

My Spain Residency, March, 15. 2022

 

Lawyer Raymundo Larraín highlights the main advantages of a Spanish Golden Visa.

 

Marbella-based Larraín Nesbitt Abogados (LNA) has over 19 years’ taxation & conveyancing experience at your service. We offer a wide range of 50 legal and corporate services. Our team of native English-speaking lawyers and economists have a long track record successfully assisting expats all over Spain.

 

You can review here our client’s testimonials.

 

Article copyrighted © 2022. Plagiarism will be criminally prosecuted.

 

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt
Director of Larraín Nesbitt Abogados
21st of March 2022
 

Introduction

 

The Spanish Golden Visa is a success story.

 

Spain has become the number one Golden Visa provider in the European Union since it was introduced in 2013.

 

Out of all the visas available in Spain, it is hands down the one that offers the most perks, including one which is exclusive to it (explained below) and which strongly appeals to affluent investors.

 

Europe, cradle of democracy, is chosen every year by thousands of wealthy non-EU individuals as it provides a clear and stable legal and tax framework that allows freedom, nurtures ingenuity, and upholds property rights.

 

Thousands of non-EU nationals have already secured their families’ future and well-being on benefiting from this special arrangement that rolls out the red carpet cutting through all the admin red tape.

 

Spain’s Golden Visa is a success story, be a part of it!

 

 

8 Reasons on why you should apply for a Golden Visa in Spain

 

I’ll list the main benefits as bullets points for ease of comprehension, simplifying where necessary.

 

  • A Golden Visa does not automatically make you tax resident in Spain, unlike every other visa in Spain. This is a unique advantage exclusive only to GVs. No other visa in Spain shares this unique trait. Only for this reason, affluent investors will find it most appealing if they do not fancy paying taxes in Spain.
  • Allows you to override the 90/180-day that limits stay in Spain (and by extension in the Schengen Area/EU).
  • You can work in Spain. Unlike other visas, which ban you from working in Spain, a GV allows you, and your family, to work in Spain if you wish. Working is optional.
  • Allows you unfettered access to Spain. You can enter and leave the country as you please, even overriding Covid flight bans, as you will hold a select residency permit that few people have.
  • No minimum stay is required. Fancy staying one night only? A Golden Visa has you covered. You can spend as little as one day, or the full year round in Spain, at your choice.
  • Family is included as dependents.
  • Leads to permanent residency (optional).
  • Leads to Spanish citizenship (optional).

 

Conclusion

 

If you can afford one, it is hands down the best visa to have in Spain.

 

The good news is that you may already qualify unbeknownst to you! You see, Golden Visas apply retrospectively. If you have invested in Spain €500,000 in real estate on or after the 28th of September 2013, you may already pre-qualify for one!

 

Over the last year I have come across multiple people who hadn’t realized they already qualified for a Golden Visa. This is because they already owned property in Spain, which allows them the opportunity to apply for one, if they fancied.

 

Interested? Come and speak to MySpainResidency, our friendly staff who will be pleased to guide you through Spain’s Golden Visa programme. On applying for a Golden Visa, we assign you one of our immigration lawyers, who will be assisted by one of our in-house visa specialists, guiding and hand-holding you through the whole procedure. A Golden Visa takes under 2 months to attain.

 

At MySpainResidency, we have made true the dreams of hundreds of non-EU investors, and their families, assisting them to attain a Golden Visa since its inception in 2013. You can browse our clients’ visa testimonials here.

 

Your family’s success is only one call away: (+34) 951 894 675

 

 

Golden Visa Service *

 

*includes one family unit

 

“Democracy owes its existence to Christianity.” – Robert Schuman

 

Jean-Baptiste Nicolas Robert Schuman (1886 – 1963). Was a French statesman. Schuman was a Christian Democrat (Popular Republican Movement) political thinker and activist. Twice Prime Minister of France, a reformist Minister of Finance and a Foreign Minister, he was instrumental in building post-war European and trans-Atlantic institutions and was one of eleven Founding Fathers of the European Union, the Council of Europe, and NATO. Upon retiring, the European Parliament bestowed on him the title of Father of Europe.

 

Schuman’s generation was indelibly marked by the harrowing events of WWII and would go to great lengths to ensure such bloodshed would never take place again in European soil. To this end, the Union was conceived; a supranational political entity that safeguards peace & freedom within its borders and which does not seek dominion over others, preserving each Member state’s idiosyncrasy, united but not absorbed. It is hands down the greatest political achievement of all time and a living testament to those eleven men that made it possible.

 

In fact, all Founding Fathers of the Union were Christian, which explains the thoughtful choice of Rome - bedrock of Christianity - to sign in 1957 the EEC’s Foundational Treaty, a forerunner of what in time would be known to us as the European Union, or Union.

 

Please note the information provided in this article is of general interest only and is not to be construed or intended as substitute for professional legal advice. This article may be posted freely in websites or other social media so long as the author is duly credited. Plagiarizing, whether in whole or in part, this article without crediting the author may result in criminal prosecution. VOV.

 

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