Do I have to pay non-resident tax in Spain?

We are often asked by our customers if they have to pay tax in Spain, even if they don't live here permanently. If you own a property in Spain, you have a NIE number and you live here for less then 183 days (6 months) per year, then you are fiscally qualified as non-resident.

The answer is very clear. All non-resident property owners have to pay a standard non-resident tax based on the value of their property. The deadline for non-resident tax is the 31st December each year (this deadline differs if you rent your property out for profit).

Many people are unaware of this tax or choose not to pay it. So what happens if you don't??

Once again, the answer from the tax office is clear. The accumulated tax which hasn't been paid is attached to your property. Therefore you cannot sell or change ownership of the property without paying the due tax. Because the tax is late, there is often interest or a financial sanction added to the figure.

So, the quick answer is YES , Everybody with assets in Spain have to pay tax. We always recommend that it is paid sooner rather than later to avoid heavy fines.

For more information on this topic and many others affecting British and international property owners in the Marina Alta, contact us at LingoMar for an informal chat.