If you have any source of income in Spain – whether you are an employee earning a salary, you run your own business, are retired or unemployed or whether you are a resident or non-resident in Spain you must submit a tax return called a Tax Declaration (Declaracion de la Renta).

As little as twenty years ago, tax evasion was a way of life in Spain but in recent years the Spanish tax system has been overhauled.

There are many opportunities for anyone who is working as self-employed in Spain. If you are prepared to work hard and fit in to the Spanish way of life it can be fairly easy but there are some things you will have to consider

Getting a mortgage and buying a property in Spain has become increasingly popular. There is a wide selection of property to choose from and the properties are generally more affordable than here in the UK.

A residency permit (tarjeta de residencia) is a card the size of a credit card which has all your personal details, including your NIE number (numero de identidad). The NIE number is issued by the immigration service. It is your identification number in Spain which you will need in order to file taxes, establish a business, open a bank account or for almost all other forms you need to fill out.

The law in Spain is different from the law in the U.K. regarding the making of a will. If you have a property in Spain, or any other assets, you should make a Spanish will to avoid any legal problems for your heirs. The will is made to protect any property in Spain. You therefore need to ensure a will is in place in Spain in addition to any will may have made in the U.K.