Spain Explained

Inheritors at different levels

Last updated on March 19th, 2020 at 01:58 pm.

In Spain there are different levels of allowance you can receive before inheritance tax must be paid. The allowance is dependent upon the inheritor’s relationship to the deceased. This article provides information about the different inheritance groups.

It comes as a surprise to some people. Not only is inheritance tax applied in Spain but inheritors are taxed at different levels. There are two major factors which influence the amount of Spanish inheritance tax you must pay:

  • the relationship the inheritors have to the deceased
  • whether they are resident or non-resident in an EU country
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There are four levels which relationships are categorised into:

  • Group 1: children and grandchildren under the age of 21(including adopted children)
  • Group 2: children and grandchildren (including those adopted) over the age of 21, spouses and parents
  • Group 3: brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, parents-in-law, daughter / son-in-law
  • Group 4: anyone else, including non-married partners

The group your inheritor is in affects the amount of the allowance he/ she is entitled to before inheritance tax is calculated. So, for example, if you are in Group 2 you can expect an allowance of €15,956.87 if you are non-resident in an EU country.

The reason for distinguishing between Groups 1 and 2 is that there is a graduated threshold for Spanish inheritance tax payments for children and grandchildren under the age of 21. For every year that a child is under the age of 21 they receive an additional €3,990.72 for non-residents in the EU up to a maximum allowance of €47,858.59.

The exact amount of the allowance does vary between different parts of Spain. But the principles remain the same. What often comes as a surprise is that non-married partners, even within a civil partnership, are only classed at group 4. However, some areas of Spain do recognise non-married resident partners in the same way as if they were married. For example, if you live in the region of Andalucia a non-married partner is classed as a spouse but not in the Valencian Community.

If you are a non-resident in the EU only the national rates apply meaning that it doesn’t matter where the house is located, Murcia or Torrevieja, if you’re not married you will not receive an allowance.

The following table identifies the threshold allowance levels according to the different relationships and for non resident in the EU.

GroupNon-resident
1. Descendent below the age of 21 (includes children and grandchildren)15,956.87€ with an additional 8,000€ for every year they are under 21 to a maximum of 47,858.59€
2. Grandchildren and children older than 21, parents, spouse15,956.87€
3. Sisters, brothers, aunts/ uncles, nephews/ nieces and parents in law7,993.46€
4. othersNo allowance applies

Each case is different and there are additional complications. For example, if the deceased is resident in the EU and leaves property to a non-resident in the EU and leaves property to a non-resident in the EU the full allowance applies provided the property isn’t sold for another ten years. If it is, then the non-resident allowance applies instead and the difference between the two must be paid.

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Is all that clear? Probably not. Inheritance tax is complicated and individual circumstances need to be assessed separately. ÁbacoInheritance includes a will-making service that will help you establish how much inheritors will have to pay and what the best arrangement for you and them is. Our inheritance experts also offer a free estimated calculation of what the inheritance tax payable might be. A little forward planning can make a big difference.

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