Confusion about Spanish inheritance tax is rife on expat forums and on social media. This is because inheritance tax calculations are  based on numerous factors. Often, these variables are complex to determine, thus producing conflicting calculations. Furthermore, each autonomous region in Spain has different legislation in regard to inheritance, which creates important differences depending on […]

Spanish inheritance law is different from other European nations, so it’s important you understand the nuances when putting your affairs in order.  It might not be the most cheerful subject, but it is important that you make sure that you understand Spanish law when you’re writing your will. Taking action now can ensure that your […]

If you have property in Spain you will want to have arrangements in place so that everything goes smoothly when you die. It’s a difficult subject, but failing to prepare can leave your inheritors with unexpected inheritance tax bills. We can all be reluctant to make plans for when we or a loved one dies. […]

When someone close to you dies the last thing you want to have to think about are the legal arrangements. Unfortunately, however great the pain might be, time is already ticking on the inheritance process. Many people who have a property interest in Spain are not aware that all the legalities must be completed within […]

Residents and non-residents inheriting or donating property in Spain used to be treated differently when it came to tax. However, following pressure from the European Commission, a modified law was passed on 28th November 2014. This brought to an end the tax discrimination there had been against non-residents living in the European Union with property […]

Until recently residents and non-residents inheriting property in Spain were treated differently when it came to inheritance tax. However, following pressure from the European Commission a modified law was passed on the 28th November 2014. This meant that for all inheritance transactions and donations after January 1st 2015, non-residents could not be discriminated against when […]

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. It means the process can be completed during your lifetime and […]

If you have property in Spain you will be keen to ensure that your inheritors are not burdened with a large Spanish inheritance tax bill when you die. Leaving property in Spain brings different tax requirements to what you might be used to in your home country. It’s important that you know what these are […]

Two changes within Spanish law have meant that our inheritance department has been very busy this year. In our question and answer section we try to address some of the queries that we have been receiving.  I would like to donate my property in Spain to my daughter. We are both non-residents. What tax implications […]

Inheritance in Spain works very differently to how it works in many other countries. For example, even between spouses there is no automatic transfer of ownership. If one of you should die then the remaining spouse does not automatically inherit the deceased spouse’s share of the property. First you must make an inheritance tax declaration […]

Since the summer of 2014 there has been a lot of coverage in the media regarding the EU ruling affecting Spanish inheritance and donation tax. The existing tax law in Spain was considered to be discriminatory against non-residents. Therefore, the European court established that Spain had to modify its laws in order to coincide with […]

In some countries, inheritance tax applies to only the wealthy – those with estates worth an amount out of the reach of most ordinary people. This is not the case in Spain. Spanish inheritance tax applies to most people when they bequeath their property and there can be a sizeable percentage to pay, particularly if […]

One of the questions that’s most frequently asked in our offices is – how much Spanish inheritance tax will I have to pay? We receive enquiries every week from the recently bereaved who are not only coming to terms with the death of a close relative but also the fact that inheritance in Spain can […]

Owning your own company or business is what many people aspire to. The additional responsibilities and bureaucratic requirements are balanced by the freedom and self-governance that being your own boss can bring. There are some other potential benefits too that you might not even have been aware of. You might have already considered Spanish property […]

Spanish inheritance often catches people unawares. Partly because it’s still something we’re uncomfortable in discussing and also because it can be quite complicated in Spain.  The rules are different, particularly in relation to Spanish inheritance tax and it often takes people by surprise that there is no automatic transfer of property and belongings between spouses. […]

In Spain, the amount of Spanish inheritance tax to pay is determined by three things: the relationship of the inheritor to the deceased whether the deceased and inheritor(s) are resident or non-resident the autonomous community in which the property is located Depending on these factors, the amount of Spanish inheritance tax to pay can vary […]

We all want to preserve as much as we can for our heirs and avoid leaving them with difficult issues to address. In this article we consider how you can pave the way for the family you leave behind. Legal ways to reduce inheritance tax in Spain It is understandable if people want to make […]

Making a will in Spain is not compulsory but it’s a good idea. It cuts down on the work and expense for those you leave behind you. However, you need to think carefully about what it might contain not only from the point of view of Spanish inheritance tax but also changing circumstances. Changing a […]

How much might the inheritance tax be? Every case is unique. However, below are some case study examples to give you an idea of how much inheritance tax there might be to pay. The differences in the amount to pay are linked to your status as a resident or non-resident, your relationship to the deceased […]

Inheritance tax applies in Spain In some countries, inheritance tax only applies when there is a very large estate. However, this is not the case in Spain. Spanish inheritance tax applies in the majority of cases and the amount of tax to pay varies enormously depending upon different factors. The relationship of inheritors to the […]

In a way, this title is a contradiction. In some respects the Spanish inheritance process can never be made easy. The difficulties around losing someone you love or care about are much more than any inheritance service can even begin to solve. At Ábaco we do understand this. We also understand how difficult it can […]