Legal advice in Spain

Spain was the second most visited country in the world last year, with 97 million tourists. It’s a beautiful country to visit or live in. Gorgeous weather, delicious food, affordable prices, great amenities, easygoing natives, and ultra-low taxation (in some regions) appeal to foreigners at large.

Knowing how to request a "nota simple" (property registry extract) is the first step towards obtaining this important document for any property purchase or sale.

Continuing on last week’s post (10% VAT on holiday homes), holiday home landlords must now raise VAT invoices with their guests as of the 1 December 2026. This is because the tax office now regards holiday homes as running a business activity.

If you’re a property owner in Spain and planning to rent or sell your home, you’ll need to sort out the energy certification paperwork.

Updated on 9 October 2026: Spain’s main trade unions have set 11 November as the date for a 24-hour general strike over housing affordability and wages. Further operational details, including minimum services, have yet to be announced.Spain’s two largest trade union federations, UGT and CCOO, h

In 1987, Kevin Costner starred in a spy thriller called No Way Out. He was a Russian asset planted in American society as a sleeper agent. No matter what he thought, did, or said, he was trapped.

Spain is considering new rules that would make renewable electricity a central condition for large data centres connecting to the national grid.Under a draft royal decree published in August, facilities with more than 1 MW of electrical capacity would be required to ensure that at least 80% of their

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU/EEA nationals to live and work remotely from Spain for foreign companies or international clients. Who qualifies for the Digital Nomad Visa?Key requirements for the Digital Nomad VisaVisa duration & renewalDigital Nomad Visa benefitsConclusionWho qua

Camping on the beach is the cheapest way to enjoy a beachfront stay with views that few accommodations can offer.

The cadastral reference is a key piece of information used, among other purposes, to determine a property's cadastral value and calculate certain taxes.

The Property Transfer Tax (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales, or ITP) is the main tax payable when buying a second-hand property in Spain.

If you are buying a home in Spain, start with one question: when does your notary, lawyer or bank need your NIE?That deadline determines whether an appointment in Spain, a consular application or a representative route is realistic.This guide explains how to choose the route, prepare the file and av

Plusvalia tax is a devolved tax levied by the town hall where your property is located. It taxes the increase in value of the land (hence its Spanish namesake, plusvalia, or increase in value).

Tourist taxes, often called sustainable tourism levies or city taxes in Spain, are now part of the standard cost of a trip.

Concerns about smoking in rental properties are common among landlords – largely due to potential damage and persistent odours. Lawyer José Ramón Zurdo, CEO of Agencia Negociadora del Alquiler, confirms that it is entirely legal to prohibit smoking in a tenancy agreement. However, the clause must be clearly stated and precisely worded – ensuring there is no ambiguity, and it may even apply to specific areas within the property.

Congratulations, you are now the proud owner of a Spanish property! It’s understandably a time to be giddy and excited. But has anyone bothered to tell you about the ongoing maintenance costs and taxes of owning a Spanish property?

Rental agreements are set for a fixed term agreed between landlord and tenant, but situations such as illness may force tenants to leave early. The Urban Leases Law (LAU) does not explicitly recognise illness as force majeure, although this does not mean tenants are entirely unprotected if a serious health condition prevents them from continuing to pay rent. In such cases, it is advisable to speak with the landlord, explain the situation and try to reach a written agreement – while also complying with the notice periods required by law.

After a lifetime of paying taxes simply for owning a home, heirs must also pay taxes when inheriting it – specifically the Inheritance and Gift Tax (ISD). This leads many to ask: is it better to donate a property or leave it in your will? In some autonomous communities, inheritance between direct relatives benefits from significant tax reductions, which can make it more advantageous than donation. However, the best option depends on several factors, including the property’s value, the degree of kinship between the parties, and their individual financial and tax circumstances.

Spain’s lower house of parliament has taken the first formal step towards updating the rules that govern communities of property owners, known in Spain as “juntas de propietarios” or “juntas de vecinos”.On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, the Plenary of Congress voted to start debating a bill to update Spain’s

Buying in Spain can feel deceptively straightforward. You find a place you love, agree on a price, sign a few documents at the notary and pick up the keys.

For decades, the phrase Gibraltar tax haven has shaped political debate and cross-border tax planning in southern Spain.

It’s no secret that Spain faces a huge housing problem, which has only been compounding and aggravated over time, with the laws the government has approved in a continued market interventionism, which is backfiring. Spain’s property and rental prices have reached all-time highs.

Spanish Authorities are working hard to transition the country into the digital era, which includes its administration.

Buying property in Spain is exciting, but it comes with its own legal procedures and potential pitfalls.

A ruling by the High Court of Justice of Catalonia clarifies a common misunderstanding among tourist‑rental owners – it is not enough to declare only occupied days or to deduct all annual expenses without justification. Property owners must report the entire year, distinguishing between periods that generate rental income and those subject to imputed income. The court also stresses that the burden of proof lies with the taxpayer – and that a lack of documentation invalidates any deductions claimed.