[News] Spain plans 100% tax on non-EU owned homes

[happypig]

There are plenty of 'warmer climes' other than Europe, broaden your mind.

Go on, champ, give me a list of countries that I could move to now that offer what Spain offered pre-Brexit. To make it simple my requirements are free healthcare, average winter temperature around 18C, reachable by plane in 4 hours (or by train in 36-48).

 

[Weststander]

A Spanish solicitor sent me this today which puts it into perspective.

We have recently heard concerning news regarding potential government measures that may make it more difficult—or even impossible—for non-EU citizens to purchase property in Spain. Additionally, there is talk of imposing a 100% tax on property purchases by these citizens.

Firstly, it is important to note that this information stems from a speech given yesterday by the Spanish Prime Minister. At this stage, these are political statements rather than concrete legal measures. This is comparable to the approach often taken by British politicians with so-called "green papers." Such statements are intended to draw public attention and garner political support—particularly, in this case, from hard-left voters and thinkers—without immediate legal implications or short-term implementation.

While this situation warrants attention, there are two key reasons why we should remain cautious but not overly alarmed:

Parliamentary Approval Required:
Any such measures would need to be submitted to the Spanish Parliament for approval. The current government relies on the support of several smaller parties, including a conservative Catalonian party that opposes such initiatives. Without their backing, these measures are unlikely to advance.

Regional Implementation:
Real estate regulations and taxation fall under the jurisdiction of regional governments rather than the national government. The regions of Murcia, Valencia, and Andalusia, currently governed by conservative administrations, are unlikely to implement such measures even if they are approved nationally. For instance, a previous real estate law passed several months ago received minimal attention because the regional government in Murcia chose not to apply it.

In light of these points, there is no immediate cause for significant concern. This appears to be more of a political manoeuvre aimed at deflecting attention from current challenges faced by the national government rather than a genuine attempt to penalize non-EU citizens interested in purchasing property in Spain.

Rest assured, I will keep you informed of any further developments from the government on this matter. In the meantime, I encourage you to avoid undue worry or alarm.

Finally, I take this opportunity of attaching a note of my charges. Prompt payment would be greatly appreciated.

You omitted their final paragraph, now added.

 

[portlock seagull]

Everyone who was in Spain before the triggering of article 50 had the right to remain. After 10 years you can claim permanent residency. This does not make you a dual national though.

It is possible to apply for citizenship once you have permanent residency but that involves a language exam, a test on cultural knowledge and, crucially, giving up your British citizenship. You can't become a dual-national in Spain unless your from a former colony.

That’s what I thought. Others contradicting albeit somewhat pedantically over words. Regardless, in my view, you only have self to blame if living there prior to Brexit but Brexit ‘forced’ you home. You just had to do the admin in time. So Brexit had no impact really, and people can’t blame it in relation to this 100% tax news impacting ex-pats negatively as some sort of payback. It’s altogether different.

 

[portlock seagull]

Go on, champ, give me a list of countries that I could move to now that offer what Spain offered pre-Brexit. To make it simple my requirements are free healthcare, average winter temperature around 18C, reachable by plane in 4 hours (or by train in 36-48).

Freehealthcare doesn’t exist anywhere. Not even here.

 

[happypig]

Freehealthcare doesn’t exist anywhere. Not even here.

Ok, for the avoidance of pedantry, free at the point of use, like we have here.

 

[Weststander]

Please refrain from posting these facts and attempting to bring this thread back onto topic

But they will be affected. Formal Spanish residency is required, Brits do not have that.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Everyone who was in Spain before the triggering of article 50 had the right to remain. After 10 years you can claim permanent residency. This does not make you a dual national though.

It is possible to apply for citizenship once you have permanent residency but that involves a language exam, a test on cultural knowledge and, crucially, giving up your British citizenship. You can't become a dual-national in Spain unless your from a former colony.

We can apply after 8 years. But, like Spain, until a very recent law change, you could not hold dual-citizenship*.

*Although if you applied as an EU citizen you could. I know a number of people who had lived here 8 years before Brexit and slapped in the applications before the UK withdrew and got dual.

 

[portlock seagull]

Ok, for the avoidance of pedantry, free at the point of use, like we have here.

So you’re happy for everyone else to pick up the tab in Spain for you? Just because you’ve not paid-in or taken insurance but are “there”?

Just seeing it from the other side

 

[Bakero]

That’s what I thought. Others contradicting albeit somewhat pedantically over words. Regardless, in my view, you only have self to blame if living there prior to Brexit but Brexit ‘forced’ you home. You just had to do the admin in time. So Brexit had no impact really, and people can’t blame it in relation to this 100% tax news impacting ex-pats negatively as some sort of payback. It’s altogether different.

Brexit didn't force anyone home but it certainly had an impact. I retain my right to live and work in Spain, as long as don't leave for 5+ years, but no longer have the right to work elsewhere in the EU. I can no longer take advantage of free university education offered by some member states. I can't ship things from the UK without incurring customs fees

 

[WATFORD zero]

Well, I never knew that! (See other thread

I think you should have left it there. I'm not sure that your posts since have really helped your case

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Ought to happen here, and some point something more needs to give on peoples 2nd, 3rd 4th, 5th properties here too, irrespective of if they are from overseas or not

Yep.

Buying property to rent should only be permitted for property that is built specifically to rent (or is reclassified as such, having met defined pre-requisites (yet to be defined)).

The rental sector in the UK has always had issues, from Rachmanism/Hoogstratenism to un-moveable sitting tenants paying peanuts protected by socialist tenants' rights.
Our politics has never been sufficiently grown up to deal with this owing to the noisy vested interest of the two 'sides'.

In recent years we have seen an increase in cash rich boomers 'investing' in property to rent. I know quite a few professionals who have opted to do this in lieu of workplace pension (or on top of....).

I don't imagine any of the political parties can fix things though.
I will reserve my opinion about the present lot till it become clear whether or not the chancellor has tanked the economy....
Or created a house building boom so that her mates (and possibly herself) can get rich....
As has been suggested in the respected political journal, NSC.

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

Why the need to gloat about others having unexpected enormous bills?

I am totally understanding that Spain has the right to choose to do whatever IT wants with tax rates on this issue, just seems nasty to apply it retrospectively if that is what is being proposed.

You just seem jealous of those who have something nice, like a home in the sun.

If you act like idiots then you reap the rewards. All actions have consequence, if you leave the EU then you lose all your rights that you had previously. It’s a pisser but there you go.

 

[portlock seagull]

Brexit didn't force anyone home but it certainly had an impact. I retain my right to live and work in Spain, as long as don't leave for 5+ years, but no longer have the right to work elsewhere in the EU. I can no longer take advantage of free university education offered by some member states. I can't ship things from the UK without incurring customs fees

Fair enough. However an enormous number of people aren’t / weren’t affected in such a way, mainly those deemed to be less well off. Which had a lot to do with why we left ie disenfranchised with the establishment, liberal elites etc. Some you win, most yer lose et al.

 

[Weststander]

Ex-pats are overwhelmingly Remainers.

They’re damaged by Brexiteers who live in Blighty.

 

[happypig]

So you’re happy for everyone else to pick up the tab in Spain for you? Just because you’ve not paid-in or taken insurance but are “there”?

Just seeing it from the other side

Are you just being dense ?
Pre-brexit I could get reciprocal healthcare in the EU and it was free to me, as it was free to EU citizens in the UK.

 

[portlock seagull]

I think you should have left it there. I'm not sure that your posts since have really helped your case

I really don’t care. Seems lots of people offering different facts. Far as I’m concerned this story = serves brexiteers right couldn’t be more wrong.

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

What's quite surprising is the number of people who have "liked" posts complaining that Brexit has brought this about and hence Brexit is a Bad Thing, and have also "liked" posts saying we should introduce this ourselves which we can now do only because of Brexit, and hence Brexit is a Good Thing.

Right.
If we had stayed in then this wouldn’t be a thing as it only applies to non EU citizens. Brexit is the issue here.
We are discussing applying this rule to UK nationals which has no relevance to the above!
simple really.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Why the need to gloat about others having unexpected enormous bills?

I am totally understanding that Spain has the right to choose to do whatever IT wants with tax rates on this issue, just seems nasty to apply it retrospectively if that is what is being proposed.

You just seem jealous of those who have something nice, like a home in the sun.

Well Jel

 

[WATFORD zero]

Ex-pats are overwhelmingly Remainers.

They’re damaged by Brexiteers who live in Blighty.

Sauce that says British immigrants to the rest of the world 'overwhelmingly' voted Remain ?

 

[Weststander]

I really don’t care. Seems lots of people offering different facts. Far as I’m concerned this story = serves brexiteers right couldn’t be more wrong.

That last bit is true. Remainers were hurt.