For those arriving in Spain (or Valencia)
What to sort out in your first months: documents, when you become a tax resident, and which steps shouldn't wait.
This is the number that identifies you for tax purposes in Spain — you'll need it for almost everything: opening a bank account, signing a lease or a purchase, registering as self-employed, or setting up a company. It can be requested before travelling (at a Spanish consulate) or once you're in Spain, and it's worth starting early since little else can move forward without it.
If you're not an EU/EEA citizen, you'll typically need a visa or authorisation allowing you to reside in Spain before settling in. Immigration rules change fairly often and aren't our area of expertise — but get in touch and we can put you in contact with a trusted immigration specialist. We come in on the tax side, once that piece is sorted.
This is registration on the municipal roll of your place of residence (the relevant town hall — in Valencia city, the Ayuntamiento de Valencia itself). It proves where you live and is a prerequisite for things like public healthcare, enrolling children in school, or, in many cases, the residence card itself.
If you're not from the EU, the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical card proving your residency. If you're an EU/EEA citizen, the equivalent is the EU citizen registration certificate.
Most banks ask for your NIE and proof of address (such as your padrón registration) to open an account. Getting one up and running early makes everything that follows easier: rent, payroll, direct debits.
If you spend more than 183 days in Spain within a calendar year, you're considered tax resident, regardless of your nationality or where your administrative residence is.
Even without reaching 183 days, you can still be tax resident if the main centre of your economic activities or interests is located in Spain.
Having a spouse (not legally separated) or dependent minor children residing in Spain is another factor the Tax Agency can use to presume residency, unless proven otherwise.
Becoming tax resident changes your taxation significantly: you move from being taxed only on Spanish-sourced income (as a non-resident) to being taxed on your worldwide income in Spain. It's worth planning ahead rather than discovering it at filing time.
Buying, selling or renting in Spain carries its own taxes (ITP, VAT, stamp duty, municipal capital gains) that are worth understanding before you sign, not after. More in Real Estate Investment.
Choosing the right legal structure from the start saves costly changes later. More in Starting a Business and, once up and running, in Business Accounting & Tax Compliance.
If you'll have Spanish payroll, there are withholdings, deductions, and in some cases double-taxation treaties with your home country worth reviewing. More in Working in Spain.
If you're relocating to Spain for work and meet certain requirements, this special regime can significantly reduce your taxation during the first years. More in Beckham Law.
Tell us about your situation and we'll help you work out what to sort out first.