32 articles
NIE, residency, visas, taxes, inheritance and legal advice for foreigners in Spain.
The Spanish legal and tax framework is one of the most important aspects every foreign property owner must understand. From obtaining the NIE to declaring the Non-Resident Income Tax (IRNR), energy performance certificates, and obligations as a member of a community of owners, Spanish regulations have particularities that differ significantly from other European countries. Galicia as an autonomous community has tax competencies: inheritance tax applies a 99% reduction for groups I and II, ITP is 8-10%, and there are specific deductions for primary residences. Post-Brexit British citizens face special considerations regarding tax residency and double taxation. This section provides updated information on all legal and tax procedures for buying, owning, and maintaining property in Galicia safely.
Comprehensive guide to Spain's Golden Visa program for property investors. Investment requirements from €500,000, eligible property types, family inclusion, application process, 2025 legislative changes, tax implications and specific opportunities on the Costa da Morte with properties from €89,000.
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Complete guide to income tax returns for foreigners with property or residence in Galicia. Differences between IRPF (residents) and IRNR (non-residents), filing obligations, tax rates, Galician autonomous deductions, imputed property income, online filing and deadlines for the 2025 tax campaign for foreign taxpayers in Galicia.
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Complete guide on filing appeals and claims before tax tribunals in Galicia. Review procedures, economic-administrative claims, Regional Economic-Administrative Tribunal of Galicia (TEAR), deadlines, costs, legal representation and common cases for foreign property owners including capital gains tax, IBI, Inheritance Tax and Non-Resident Income Tax.
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Everything you need to know about funeral insurance in Galicia as a foreigner. Whether it is mandatory, what it covers exactly, how much it costs, which providers operate in Galicia, what happens if you die in Galicia as a non-resident, repatriation, legal procedures for the death certificate and burial in Galician cemeteries like Santa María de Serres in Cee or Boisaca in Santiago.
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Everything you need to know about the NIE to buy property in Galicia: where to apply, required documents, timelines and costs. A practical guide for foreigners with up-to-date addresses for the A Coruña Police Station.
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If you have just bought a property in Galicia, a gestoría can save you countless hours of bureaucracy. From obtaining your NIE and filing Modelo 210 tax returns to setting up utilities, registering your car and submitting your income tax, an administrative manager handles the paperwork that confuses foreign buyers the most. This guide explains exactly what a gestoría does in Galicia, how much it charges, how to find a reliable one in Corcubión, Cee or A Coruña, which red flags to watch for and when you need a lawyer instead of a gestor.
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Before renovating, extending or building in Galicia you need to understand the planning rules that apply to your property. This guide explains in detail the types of municipal licence (major works, minor works, first occupation), what the PGOU is and how to check your municipality's planning framework, the consequences of having an illegal building, the restrictions of the Coastal Law if your property is near the sea, the Xunta's environmental licence and the real costs and timelines for each procedure. Everything an owner needs to know before calling the architect.
Read guide → Detailed guide on document translation for buying property in Galicia. Sworn translator, Hague apostille, which documents need translation, costs, timelines and digital certification for foreigners.
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Complete guide to public deeds in Galicia: what they are, main types (sale, mortgage, donation), the notary's role, real costs between €600 and €1,500, what happens on signing day, the digitalization process, differences between simple and witnessed copies, process timelines, most common errors by foreign buyers, and practical tips to avoid unpleasant surprises in your property purchase on the Costa da Morte and throughout Galicia.
Read guide → Complete guide to taxes when inheriting a property in Galicia for foreigners. Inheritance and Gift Tax (ISD), Group I-IV classification, Galicia's 99% reduction for Groups I and II, required forms (Modelo 650 and 651), 6-month deadlines, property valuation, accepting vs renouncing inheritance, non-resident heirs, international double taxation, treaty implications for the UK, Germany and France, practical steps and most common errors when processing a property inheritance in Galicia.
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Complete comparison between VAT and ITP in Galicia: when each tax applies, rates, additional costs, examples with real Costa da Morte prices, and strategies to minimize your tax burden.
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Everything you need to know about power of attorney for buying property in Spain from abroad: types, requirements, costs, how to obtain it in your country, and risks to consider before signing.
Read guide → The Land Registry in Spain is the institution guaranteeing the legal security of your property investment. This guide explains what the registry is, how to request a nota simple, differences between cadastre and registry, the complete registration process after notary signing, costs involved, and digital access via registradores.org, with specific advice for foreign buyers.
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Complete guide to IRPF tax brackets in Galicia and available deductions when buying a home. Regional deduction of up to 15% on €9,040, state mortgage deductions, first-time buyer benefits, differences between regional and state deductions, how to file Modelo 100, implications for non-residents, double taxation treaties and practical case studies with real figures for properties in A Coruña, Vigo and the Costa da Morte.
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Complete guide to Galicia's regional taxes for foreign property owners. Specific tax rates (ITP 8-10%, IBI, plusvalía), tax advantages vs Madrid and Andalusia, inheritance tax with 99% reduction, non-resident tax (24%/19%), double taxation treaties and tax calendar.
Read guide →The NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) is a tax identifier required for any procedure in Spain. Apply at the police station or Spanish consulate in your country. You need a passport, EX-15 form, photos, and justification of purpose. Processing takes 1-3 weeks.
Non-residents pay IRNR (19% on imputed income), annual IBI (0.4-1.1% of cadastral value), and waste tax. If renting out, declare 19% of net income. Galicia offers 99% reduction on inheritance tax for direct family members.
Not necessarily. Tax residency is determined by presence (over 183 days/year), center of economic interests, or family. As a non-resident, you pay IRNR instead of IRPF. You can own property without being a tax resident.
Galicia applies a 99% reduction on inheritance tax for groups I and II. The effective rate can be as low as 0.2-1% of value. Municipal capital gains tax also applies. It is advisable to make a Spanish will.