Articles & Insights

Once you become a Spanish tax resident, Spain generally taxes your worldwide income. Distributions from 401(k), 403(b), Traditional IRA and especially Roth IRA accounts can face Spanish taxation. The treatment is often very different from U.S. rules — Roth IRAs in particular require careful analysis. Planning several years before the move can significantly improve your long-term tax position.

In the United States, federal estate tax focuses on the deceased’s estate. In Spain, inheritance tax is paid by each heir. Spanish rules can apply to much smaller estates, vary significantly by autonomous community, and carry a six-month filing deadline. Even if no U.S. federal estate tax is due, Spanish assets (especially real estate) usually trigger Spanish inheritance tax obligations for the heir.

A digital certificate (certificado digital) acts as your online identity with Spanish authorities. It allows non-residents to manage tax obligations, receive electronic notifications, check cadastral data, deal with town halls, sign documents and respond to fines — all without travelling to Spain. Missing official notifications is one of the biggest risks for owners living abroad.

Spain’s Supreme Court annulled the national single registry for short-term rentals (Royal Decree 1312/2024). The state-level registration number is no longer required to list properties. However, regional tourism licences, municipal planning rules, homeowners’ association restrictions and tax obligations remain fully in force. Compliance now depends on where the property is located.

Valencia City Council has begun issuing notices for the new Charge for the Municipal Collection and Transport of Solid Urban Waste. Property owners (including non-residents) should check their bills, payment options and direct-debit arrangements. Understanding this local charge helps avoid surprises and late-payment issues.

Opening a Spanish bank account as a U.S. resident is useful for property purchases, visas, utilities and rental income, but it involves FATCA, CRS and Spanish banking requirements. Banks often request NIE, proof of address, tax forms and sometimes additional documentation. Knowing the common hurdles in advance saves time and frustration.