Spain is one of Europe's most popular destinations for expats, and one of its most complicated tax systems. Rates depend on which region you live in, wealth tax still applies in most of the country, and the headline 47% top rate can reach 54%. Many people moving in now pay a flat 24% under the Beckham Law instead.
This guide covers Spanish personal tax for people moving to or living in Spain in 2026. It explains when you become resident, the standard and savings rates, the Beckham Law, the digital nomad visa and wealth tax.
The key question is simple. Will you pay standard Spanish tax, or can you use the Beckham Law?
What's changed: the top rate on savings income rose from 28% to 30% for gains and investment income above €300,000. The 2026 minimum wage increase pushed the digital nomad visa income requirement up to €2,849 a month. Employees now pay 6.5% social security, and earnings above the €5,101.20 monthly cap carry an extra solidarity contribution.
📋 Spain tax at a glance for 2026
Topic | Details |
|---|---|
Tax system | Worldwide income for residents |
Top income tax rate | 47% by default above €300,000. 45% in Madrid, up to about 54% in Valencia |
All-in on a US$100k salary | About 35%, including social security (about €87,000, single, default regional rates). About 29% under the Beckham Law |
Foreign income | Taxed, unless you're under the Beckham Law |
Dividends, interest, capital gains | 19% to 30% on the savings scale, including crypto |
Residence at a glance | Getting in: moderate (183 days in a calendar year, or your main business or family here). Leaving: sticky for Spanish nationals moving to tax havens, plus an exit tax on large shareholdings |
Double tax treaties | 103 signed, 99 in force |
When you become tax resident in Spain
You're a Spanish tax resident if any of these applies in a calendar year:
you spend more than 183 days in Spain (short trips abroad still count unless you prove residence elsewhere)
the main centre of your business or economic interests is in Spain
your spouse and minor children live in Spain, which creates a presumption that you're resident too
Spanish domestic law has no split-year treatment, so you're either resident for the whole year or not at all. A treaty can split the year in practice, but only where both countries treat you as resident.
Residence is hard to lose in two cases. Spanish nationals who move to a listed tax haven stay resident for the year they leave and the next four. People leaving after at least ten years of residence can also face exit tax on shareholdings worth over €4 million, or over €1 million where they own more than 25% of a company.
👉 Agencia Tributaria: Spanish Tax Agency
Income tax rates for 2026
Income tax is split between a state scale and a regional scale. The table shows the combined rates where a region uses the default scale. Madrid is lower, with a top rate of 45%, while Catalonia reaches 50% and Valencia about 54%.
Spain income tax (IRPF) rates for 2026, state plus default regional scale
Taxable income | Combined rate |
|---|---|
Up to €12,450 | 19% |
€12,450 to €20,200 | 24% |
€20,200 to €35,200 | 30% |
€35,200 to €60,000 | 37% |
€60,000 to €300,000 | 45% |
Above €300,000 | 47% |
Spain savings income tax rates for 2026 (dividends, interest and capital gains)
Savings income | Rate |
|---|---|
Up to €6,000 | 19% |
€6,000 to €50,000 | 21% |
€50,000 to €200,000 | 23% |
€200,000 to €300,000 | 27% |
Above €300,000 | 30% |
Source: LIRPF articles 63, 66 and 76 (savings scale as amended by Law 7/2024). Regional scales vary, so check your region.
Worked example
You're single and employed, earning €87,000 (about US$100k) in 2026, in a region using the default scale.
Social security of about €4,030 and the €2,000 general deduction come off, leaving about €80,970.
Income tax is about €26,280 after the personal allowance.
Your all-in bill is about €30,310, or 35% of your salary. Under the Beckham Law, it's 24% of your salary (€20,880) plus social security, about 29% all-in.
👉 Ministerio de Hacienda: Spanish Ministry of Finance
The Beckham Law
Why do so many people moving to Spain ask about the Beckham Law? Because it can cut their tax by more than a third. The special regime for inbound workers lets new residents be taxed under non-resident rules for the year they arrive and the next five years:
Image 1 — standard rates or the Beckham Law
a flat 24% on employment income up to €600,000, and 47% above
most foreign dividends, interest and gains aren't taxed in Spain
Spanish-source savings income is taxed at 19% to 30%
To qualify, you must not have been Spanish tax resident in any of the previous five years. You also need to move for a qualifying reason, such as a Spanish employment contract, remote work on the digital nomad visa, becoming a company director, or an entrepreneurial activity certified under the Startups Law. Your spouse and children can sometimes join the regime too.
You must apply on Modelo 149 within six months of registering with Spanish social security. There's no extension. You can't claim personal deductions, and pure freelancers usually don't qualify unless their activity is certified as entrepreneurial.
👉 Taxdown (Madrid): Beckham Law requirements
Freelancing in Spain
Self-employed workers (autónomos) pay income tax at the standard rates on their net profit, plus a monthly social security fee based on their actual earnings. In 2026 the fee ranges from €200 to €590 a month, with the top band applying above €6,000 a month of net income.
On US$100k of freelance profit, that comes to about 37% all-in, making Spain one of the more expensive EU countries for freelancers.
Wealth tax and inheritance tax
Spain still has a wealth tax. It's charged on net worldwide assets above €700,000 per person, plus a €300,000 exemption for your main home. Catalonia and Valencia use a lower €500,000 threshold. Madrid, Andalucía, Cantabria, Extremadura, La Rioja and Murcia give 100% relief, but a national solidarity tax on fortunes above €3 million means the very wealthy pay something everywhere.
Inheritance and gift tax is also regional. Madrid and Andalucía give close family almost full relief, while other regions can charge significant amounts.
Crypto and foreign assets
Crypto gains are taxed on the savings scale at 19% to 30%, and swaps between cryptocurrencies are taxable events. Crypto also counts towards wealth tax.
Spain is strict about reporting. Residents must declare foreign assets over €50,000 on Modelo 720, and crypto held with foreign providers over €50,000 on Modelo 721. Missing these returns is one of the most common expat mistakes.
Social security
Employees pay about 6.5% of salary in 2026, including the intergenerational equity contribution. The cap is a monthly salary of €5,101.20. Above that, a small solidarity contribution applies, and employers pay around 30% on top.
If you're posted from a country with a social security agreement, you may be able to keep paying into your home system for a limited period.
👉 Seguridad Social: Spanish social security
The digital nomad visa
Spain's international remote work permit lets non-EU nationals live in Spain while working for employers or clients outside Spain. You'll need:
income of at least €2,849 a month in 2026 (200% of the minimum wage), plus more for each family member
a university degree or three years of relevant experience
an employer or clients that have existed for at least a year, with no more than 20% of your work for Spanish clients
The permit lasts up to three years, can be renewed for two more, and leads to permanent residence. There's no tax exemption, so you're taxed normally once resident. Employees can usually claim the Beckham Law, though.
👉 Migratiolex (Spain): digital nomad visa income requirement for 2026
Double tax treaties
Does Spain have double tax treaties? Yes. Spain has signed 103 double taxation agreements, 99 of which are in force. They include the UK, the US, Germany, France, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Mexico, China, India, Canada and Australia. Spain has also renegotiated its treaties with the UK, Canada, China, India, Japan and Mexico.
👉 Ministerio de Hacienda: Spain's double taxation agreements
Who is Spain good for?
How does Spain compare for different kinds of mover? Ratings are relative to the 150+ countries TaxPilot covers, based on 2026 rules and the all-in cost including social security.
☑️ Who is Spain good for? Tax ratings for expats in 2026
Expat profile | Spain rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
Employees | Moderate | About 29% all-in on a US$100k salary under the Beckham Law, which most employees moving to Spain for a job can claim for the year they arrive and the next five. At standard rates it is about 35%, including social security. |
Freelancers (self-employed) | Poor | About 37% all-in on US$100k as an autónomo, including the top monthly social security fee of €590. |
Retirees | Moderate | About 20% on a US$40k foreign pension plus US$20k of investment income. Inheritance tax depends on the region, and Madrid and Andalucía give close family almost full relief. |
Crypto gains | Moderate | Gains are taxed at the savings rates of 19% to 30%, about 22% on a US$100k gain. Crypto held abroad over €50,000 must be reported on Modelo 721. |
Investment income | Poor (Moderate in Madrid or Andalucía) | About 21% on dividends, interest and gains, plus wealth tax on net assets above €700,000 in most regions. Madrid, Andalucía and four other regions give 100% relief below €3 million. |
Digital nomad visa | Good | Remote workers earning at least €2,849 a month (2026) can stay up to five years, with a route to permanent residence. Employees can usually also claim the Beckham Law. |
Filing and deadlines
The Spanish tax year is the calendar year. You file the annual income tax return (Renta) between early April and 30 June of the following year. Wealth tax returns are due at the same time, and Modelo 720 and 721 by 31 March.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Beckham Law in Spain?
A special regime that lets qualifying new residents pay a flat 24% on employment income up to €600,000, and 47% above, for the year they arrive and the next five years. Most foreign investment income isn't taxed in Spain under the regime.
Who qualifies for the Beckham Law?
People who weren't Spanish tax resident in any of the previous five years and move for a qualifying reason, such as a Spanish job, remote work on the digital nomad visa, becoming a company director or a certified entrepreneurial activity. You must apply on Modelo 149 within six months of registering with social security.
When do I become tax resident in Spain?
When you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, when your main business or economic interests are in Spain, or when your spouse and minor children live here, which creates a presumption that you're resident.
Does Spain have a wealth tax?
Yes, on net worldwide assets above €700,000 per person plus €300,000 for your main home. Catalonia and Valencia use a €500,000 threshold. Madrid, Andalucía and four other regions give 100% relief below €3 million, above which a national solidarity tax applies.
How many double tax treaties does Spain have?
Spain has signed 103 double taxation agreements, 99 of which are in force, including treaties with the UK, the US, Germany, France and Mexico.
Important information
This article is general information and does not constitute tax, legal, immigration or financial advice, and does not create a client relationship. Tax outcomes depend on travel history, income sources, treaty status and the law applying to the relevant year. Rates, thresholds and regimes change, and some measures described may be proposed rather than enacted; this article reflects our understanding as at the date of publication. Obtain advice from a suitably qualified professional before acting or refraining from action.
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