Do I have to pay tax on my Spanish property if I live abroad?
If you live abroad and own a property in Spain, you may well have a tax obligation without knowing it. It's very common, you're not alone, it has a solution and we handle it for you.
The short answer: if you're a non-resident with an urban property here, most likely yes
According to the AEAT, if you habitually live outside Spain you are a non-resident for tax purposes — even with Spanish nationality — and, if you own an urban property here, it is subject to NRIT (Form 210):
- If you don't rent it out (empty or own use), the AEAT states it is taxed on a deemed income calculated on the cadastral value, declared with Form 210.
- If you rent it out, you declare the rental income, also with Form 210.
Don't worry: there's a solution and you don't need to deal with the tax office yourself. We handle it for you.
🔗 Official source: Agencia Tributaria — Deemed income on urban property (NRIT).
Am I a Spanish tax resident or not?
This is the key, and many people don't know it. According to the AEAT, you are a Spanish tax resident if any of these applies:
- You stay more than 183 days a year in Spanish territory (sporadic absences are counted unless you prove tax residence in another country).
- The main centre or base of your activities or economic interests is in Spain.
- By presumption, if your non-separated spouse and dependent minor children habitually live in Spain (unless proven otherwise).
If none applies, according to the AEAT you are a non-resident — even if you're Spanish — and your property is taxed under NRIT. Not sure? We check it with you, no commitment.
🔗 Official source: Agencia Tributaria — Tax residence of individuals.
Why it happens to so many people without knowing
It's not carelessness on your part: the system doesn't warn you. These are the most common reasons people find out late.
Nobody warns you
The tax office doesn't send a reminder when you leave. The obligation exists even if you never get a letter.
The bank doesn't handle it
Having your account or mortgage in Spain doesn't mean anyone files the tax for you.
You left years ago
Many emigrated without knowing their property still created an annual obligation in Spain.
The property is empty or inherited
Even with no income — empty, own use or inherited — the AEAT says there may be deemed income.
The point: it's very common and it's fixable. You're not alone, and there's nothing wrong with discovering it now.
Common cases we see
These are typical profiles among the people who contact us. If you recognise yourself, it's exactly what we resolve.
Spaniards in France or Germany
Moved abroad for work and left an empty or occasionally-used flat in Spain they never declared.
Owners in the UK
Non-residents with a rented or empty property in Spain, unsure what applies to them.
Residents in Switzerland
Often with a home inherited from their parents in Spain that still creates an annual obligation.
Owners across Latin America
In Argentina, Mexico, Chile… with a property inherited or left behind in Spain years ago, often empty or rented, unsure what they need to declare.
Every case is different, but the pattern repeats: an unknown obligation, with a solution. We review it with you.
So what needs to be done? We do it for you
The obligation is met by filing Form 210 (NRIT). But you don't need to learn how to do it or fight with the AEAT's portal: we handle it for you, 100% online with human review, as collaborators of the Spanish Tax Agency.
📘 Want to understand it in depth? We cover it step by step in our guide Spanish owner abroad: property and taxes. And if you like, we calculate and file everything for you.
Check in 1 minute
Answer a few quick questions and we'll tell you what fits. At the end, we get back to you with your diagnosis and a tailored quote, with no commitment.
What if I haven't filed for years?
It's more common than you think and it can be regularised. The good news: the sooner you bring it up to date, the simpler and calmer the process. We review your situation, explain the options clearly and handle it for you, no scares.
Frequently asked questions
Am I a Spanish tax resident if I live abroad?
Do I have to declare my property if it's empty or I only use it in summer?
And if it's rented out?
Even if I have Spanish nationality?
What if I haven't filed for years?
Do I have to do it myself?
Shall we review it together?
Tell us your case and we'll get back to you with your diagnosis and a tailored quote, with no commitment, within 24 hours.