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Yes, all Lifetti crisis guides and checklists are 100% free. Access them without creating an account. Premium services like English-speaking professional matching are optional.

Which countries does Lifetti cover?

Lifetti covers Spain, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Italy with country-specific crisis guides and bureaucracy checklists for expats.

What is the Beckham Law and who qualifies?

The Beckham Law (officially Régimen Especial para Trabajadores Desplazados) is a special tax regime offering a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 (instead of progressive rates up to 47%), and no taxation on worldwide income. To qualify: (1) you must not have been a Spanish tax resident in the previous 5 years, (2) you must move to Spain for employment (not self-employment), (3) you must have a specific job contract, and (4) you must apply within 6 months of starting work in Spain. The regime is valid for 6 years and also exempts you from wealth tax. Application costs €800-1,500 through a tax advisor but can save €20,000-50,000+ annually for high earners.

What is Modelo 720 and what happens if I don't file it?

Modelo 720 is a foreign asset declaration required annually (by March 31) for Spanish tax residents who have foreign assets exceeding €50,000 in any of three categories: bank accounts, real estate, or investments (including cryptocurrency). You must declare if any single category exceeds €50,000, even if total assets are below that. Failure to file results in severe penalties: minimum €1,500 per undeclared asset, penalties can exceed the asset's value, and there's no statute of limitations on violations. The Constitutional Court is reviewing this law due to excessive penalties, but it's currently enforced. When in doubt, file - there's no penalty for filing when not required, only for not filing when required.

How do I register as autónomo (self-employed)?

Steps: (1) Get your NIE first; (2) File Modelo 036 or 037 with Agencia Tributaria to register for tax and choose your activity code (IAE); (3) Register with Social Security (RETA regime) - this starts your €294+/month payments; (4) Set up direct debit for social security; (5) File quarterly returns: Modelo 303 (VAT) and Modelo 130 (income tax) by the 20th of January, April, July, October; (6) File annual tax return (Modelo 100) by June. Most autónomos hire a gestoría (€50-150/month) to handle all filings. You cannot work freelance legally without autónomo registration.

What is the Padrón and why is it important?

The Padrón (empadronamiento) is your registration at the local town hall proving you live at a specific address. It's FREE and essential for: healthcare registration, opening resident bank accounts, enrolling children in schools, accessing local services, and proving tax residency. Register at your local Ayuntamiento with NIE, passport, and rental contract (some require landlord authorization). You receive the certificate immediately. Update it whenever you move addresses. It's one of the most important documents for expats.

When do I become a Spanish tax resident?

You become a Spanish tax resident if ANY of these apply: (1) You spend 183+ days in Spain during a calendar year; (2) Spain is your "center of vital interests" - main business, economic activities, or personal ties; (3) Your spouse and/or dependent children live in Spain (unless you can prove tax residence elsewhere). Tax residents pay Spanish tax on worldwide income at progressive rates (19-47%). Non-residents only pay on Spanish-source income. Track your days carefully and consult a tax advisor before reaching 183 days.

Spain Tax Guide for Expats 2025

Quick Overview

Spain's 183-day rule means spending 183+ days in Spain makes you a tax resident liable for worldwide income taxation (up to 47%). The Beckham Law offers qualifying employed expats a flat 24% tax rate if they weren't Spanish residents in the prior 5 years - apply within 6 months of arrival. Modelo 720 requires declaration of foreign assets over €50,000 by March 31 annually with severe penalties for non-compliance. Self-employed (autónomos) pay €294+/month social security and file quarterly returns.

Key Facts

Tax residency

183+ days = worldwide income taxed

Beckham Law

24% flat tax for qualifying expats (6 years)

Modelo 720 deadline

March 31 (foreign assets >€50,000)

Autónomo social security

€294+/month minimum

Tax return period

April-June annually

Progressive tax rates

19-47% on income

How It Works

Tax Guide for Expats in Spain

Spanish tax residency is triggered by: (1) spending 183+ days in Spain, (2) having your "center of vital interests" in Spain, or (3) having spouse/children living in Spain. Tax residents pay on worldwide income at progressive rates (19-47%). The Beckham Law is a special regime for qualifying employed expats: flat 24% tax on Spanish income only (not worldwide), valid for 6 years, requires not having been Spanish tax resident in prior 5 years, and must apply within 6 months of starting work. Modelo 720 is a critical foreign asset declaration (deadline March 31) for holdings over €50,000 in any category (bank accounts, property, investments) - penalties for non-compliance can exceed asset value. Self-employed (autónomos) register with Tax Agency (Modelo 036/037) and Social Security (RETA), pay €294+/month social security, and file quarterly VAT (Modelo 303) and income (Modelo 130) returns. All residents must register at the local town hall (Padrón/empadronamiento) which proves residency for many services. Consider hiring an English-speaking tax advisor (€150-500 for simple returns) given Spain's complex tax system.

Spanish tax residency and compliance requirements

Understand the 183-day rule

Learn when you become a Spanish tax resident.

Research Beckham Law eligibility

Special expat tax regime with 24% flat rate.

Understand Modelo 720 requirements

Foreign asset declaration for Spanish tax residents.

Find English-speaking tax advisor

Locate qualified tax professional for expat matters.

Register as autónomo (if self-employed)

Self-employment registration with Social Security and tax agency.

Learn Spanish tax calendar

Understand key tax filing deadlines.

Understand double taxation treaty

Learn how treaty with your home country affects you.

Essential registrations and setup tasks

Register on Padrón (town registry)

Get Spanish phone number

Set up local mobile phone service.

Set up utilities

Arrange electricity, gas, water, internet.

Apply for TIE card (if non-EU)

Foreigner Identity Card for non-EU residents.

Exchange driving license (if applicable)

Exchange foreign license for Spanish one.

Tax Guide for Expats Costs in Spain (2025)

Padrón registrationFree

Town registry

Tax advisor (annual return)€150-500

For simple tax situation

Tax advisor (complex/Beckham)€500-1,500

For Beckham Law, Modelo 720, etc.

Beckham Law application€800-1,500

Lawyer/advisor fees

TIE card (non-EU)€15.76

Residence permit card

Autónomo social security€294+/month

Minimum contribution for self-employed

Gestoría (ongoing)€50-150/month

For autónomos, handles all filings

Phone plan€10-40/month

Mobile service

Utilities (monthly)€80-150/month

Electricity, gas, water, internet

Driver's license exchange€30-100

Plus €40 medical certificate

Total

€200-1,500 initial admin costs. Monthly: €80-450+ depending on employment status

Service	Cost	Notes
Padrón registration	Free	Town registry
Tax advisor (annual return)	€150-500	For simple tax situation
Tax advisor (complex/Beckham)	€500-1,500	For Beckham Law, Modelo 720, etc.
Beckham Law application	€800-1,500	Lawyer/advisor fees
TIE card (non-EU)	€15.76	Residence permit card
Autónomo social security	€294+/month	Minimum contribution for self-employed
Gestoría (ongoing)	€50-150/month	For autónomos, handles all filings
Phone plan	€10-40/month	Mobile service
Utilities (monthly)	€80-150/month	Electricity, gas, water, internet
Driver's license exchange	€30-100	Plus €40 medical certificate
Total estimate	€200-1,500 initial admin costs. Monthly: €80-450+ depending on employment status

*Employed workers have minimal costs beyond utilities. Self-employed (autónomos) face €294+/month social security plus gestoría fees. Beckham Law application is expensive but can save €20,000+/year. Prices current as of January 2025.

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Tax Advisor (Asesor Fiscal)

For Beckham Law, Modelo 720, annual tax returns, tax optimization

Gestoría

Administrative agency for autónomo filings and paperwork

Immigration Lawyer

For TIE card, residency applications

Accountant (Contable)

For business accounting if self-employed

Tax Guide for Expats

Key Facts

How It Works

Understanding Tax Obligations

Understand the 183-day rule

Research Beckham Law eligibility

Understand Modelo 720 requirements

Find English-speaking tax advisor

Register as autónomo (if self-employed)

Learn Spanish tax calendar

Understand double taxation treaty

Registration & Administrative Tasks

Register on Padrón (town registry)

Get Spanish phone number

Set up utilities

Apply for TIE card (if non-EU)

Exchange driving license (if applicable)

Tax Guide for Expats Costs in Spain (2025)

Get Checklist via Email

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Key Facts

How It Works

0%Month 1-2Understanding Tax Obligations0 of 7 tasks completed

Understanding Tax Obligations

Understand the 183-day rule

Research Beckham Law eligibility

Understand Modelo 720 requirements

Find English-speaking tax advisor

Register as autónomo (if self-employed)

Learn Spanish tax calendar

Understand double taxation treaty

0%Month 1-2Registration & Administrative Tasks0 of 5 tasks completed

Registration & Administrative Tasks

Register on Padrón (town registry)

Get Spanish phone number

Set up utilities

Apply for TIE card (if non-EU)

Exchange driving license (if applicable)

Tax Guide for Expats Costs in Spain (2025)

Get Checklist via Email

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