Spain Explained

Have you thought about giving it away?

Last updated on March 19th, 2020 at 02:06 pm.

Making sure your loved ones benefit from your hard-earned money is a priority for the majority. You can’t take it with you but it’s nice to have control over who you’re leaving it to.

For some, ‘gifting’ their property seems like the best option, particularly now when you can benefit from certain tax advantages in Spain. However, that could change in the near future due to the consequences of Brexit.

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Donating a house in Spain was, for many years, one of the most expensive ways of transferring a property. This changed in 2015 when due to a European resolution, Spain was obliged to apply the same fiscal advantages to residents and non residents of the EU.

Following Brexit this new advantage may be removed and the payment of donation tax for non-residents could, once more, mean a considerable drain on inheritors’ resources. With this in mind, some people are taking the decision now to gift their property and avoid excessive donation and inheritance tax in the future.

Every case is different, but here we have put together a couple of examples of just how people might be affected by a return to previous legislation following the Brexit decision.

Case study 1: Parents donating their house in the Valencian Community

Mr and Mrs A have taken the decision to donate their house now to their two children rather than wait for the consequences of the Brexit vote. As things stand, their property in Spain is valued at around €200,000.   They have taken this decision as currently their children will have no donation tax to pay.

Case study 2: Parents donating their house in the Murcia region

Mrs. C has a house in Murcia. In this case there is something to pay as in Murcia there are no specific allowances for donation. Each child would have to pay €2,474.46  (total €4,948.92) on the Spanish property which is also valued at €200,000.

Scenario post Brexit

In both of the cases we’ve outlined above, if the donation was made after Brexit or transfer via inheritance has to be done and legislation is reverted, then the cost of the donation or inheritance in Spain would be substantially higher.

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As non-members of the EU each child would have to pay €4,948.93 as there would be no allowances or reduction applicable. It is also important to note that these amounts would be payable (in total €9,897.86) before the house could be sold in the case of inheritance.

Therefore, if you are considering donating your property in Spain at some point in the future, and you are a UK national, then it is highly recommendable to proceed now to benefit from the EU tax advantages.

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4 comments

George Browell

24 February, 2020 1:04 am

I have a property in Gran Alacant worth 130,000 euros and my will names my three adult children as inheritors. Would it be beneficial to donate it to them now? One daughter lives in England, my second daughter currently lives in my property in Gran Alacant and my son lives in Australia. I am 81 years old and live in the UK. I will be in Gran Alacant for one month from April 11th.

Oscar Paoli

4 March, 2020 3:46 pm

Hi George,
This will depend on each case, but we have many clients that have done so.
If you wish to book an appointment please contact us at legaldpt@abacoadvisers.com
Kind regards,
Ábaco Advisers

Howard Mellor

18 July, 2020 10:32 am

My elderly parents who live in the UK wish to transfer ownership of their Spanish apartment, valued at around 120,000 euros on the Costa Blanca into my name , their son. What procedures are required and expected costs? Thank you

Oscar Paoli

19 July, 2020 10:04 am

Hi Howard,
Thank you for contacting us.
In this case we would probably best recommend to arrange a donation of the property from your parents to you. It will most likely be the best option.
If you wish to receive a more exakt quote we will need some more information regarding the property, so should you wish to get more details of the service and a personalized cost estimate please do not hesitate to contact us at legaldpt@abacoadvisers.com
With kind regards,
Ábaco Advisers