- You become Spanish tax-resident after 183 days in a calendar year, then taxed on worldwide income.
- Spanish income tax is progressive, reaching roughly 47% at the top in most regions.
- The Beckham regime can cap tax at 24% on Spanish-source income for qualifying new arrivals, for up to six years.
- Your UK Ltd stays UK-resident and owes UK Corporation Tax; CMC and PE rules still apply.
- Spain has a wealth tax and the Modelo 720 reporting form for overseas assets, both easy to overlook.
Check your risk profile
The 183-day rule
Spain treats you as tax-resident if you spend more than 183 days there in a calendar year, or if your main economic interests are based there. Note the difference from the UK: Spain counts on the calendar year, while the UK tax year runs April to April, which can create overlap in the year you move.
Once resident, Spain taxes your worldwide income on progressive national and regional bands that reach roughly 47% at the top, varying by autonomous community.
The Beckham regime
The Beckham regime (named after the footballer) is a special regime for people who become Spanish tax-resident through taking up employment in Spain. Qualifying applicants are taxed at a flat 24% on Spanish-source employment income up to €600,000, and crucially are not taxed on most non-Spanish income, for up to six years.
It is valuable but specific. It generally requires an employment relationship in Spain and that you were not Spanish-resident in the years before moving. Whether you can structure your move to qualify is one of the highest-value questions to get right before you go.
Your UK company
As with any move abroad, your UK-incorporated company stays UK tax-resident and owes UK Corporation Tax (19% to 25% for 2025/26). Running it from Spain raises the Central Management and Control question covered in our guide to running a UK Ltd from abroad, and Spanish Permanent Establishment rules can give Spain a claim on profits generated from activity there.
Spain is known for taking an active view on companies run by Spanish residents, so this is not a theoretical risk. The risk checker above gives you a first read.
Wealth tax and Modelo 720
Two Spanish features catch UK arrivals off guard:
- Wealth tax. Spain levies an annual tax on net wealth above a threshold, with rules and allowances that vary by region. For asset-rich individuals it can be significant.
- Modelo 720. Residents must report overseas assets (accounts, securities, property) above €50,000 on this annual declaration. The penalty regime was softened after an EU ruling, but the obligation remains and is easy to miss.
Mapping your UK and Spanish positions together, including these, is exactly what Take Home is built to do.