{"id":28172,"date":"2026-10-07T06:35:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T04:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/?p=28172"},"modified":"2026-10-07T07:20:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T05:20:52","slug":"us-spain-tax-treaty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/us-spain-tax-treaty\/","title":{"rendered":"US Spain tax treaty: residence and double taxation"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"28172\" class=\"elementor elementor-28172\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64c35820 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"64c35820\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f519af5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f519af5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<div style=\"background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 24px; margin: 0 0 32px 0; border-radius: 6px;\">\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0;\">US Spain tax treaty: key points<\/h2>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 22px; line-height: 1.8;\">\n<li>The <strong>US Spain tax treaty<\/strong> is the Convention signed in Madrid on 22 February 1990, as amended by the Protocol signed in Madrid on 14 January 2013, which has been in force since <strong>27 November 2019<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Spain treats you as a tax resident for the whole calendar year if you spend <strong>more than 183 days<\/strong> there, if your main economic interests are there, or, unless you prove otherwise, if your spouse and dependent minor children live there.<\/li>\n<li>If both countries treat you as a resident, <strong>article 4(2)<\/strong> decides in this order: permanent home, centre of vital interests, habitual abode, nationality, then agreement between the tax authorities.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>savings clause<\/strong> (art. 1(3)) lets each State tax its residents, and the US its citizens, as if the treaty were not in force. The 2013 Protocol did not change it.<\/li>\n<li>Dividends can be taxed at source at <strong>5%<\/strong> if a company holds at least 10% of the voting shares and at <strong>15%<\/strong> otherwise, while interest and royalties are in general taxable only in the owner&#8217;s State of residence.<\/li>\n<li>Spain relieves double taxation with a deduction of the lower of the foreign tax paid and Spain&#8217;s average effective rate on that income (art. 80 of the personal income tax law).<\/li>\n<li>US Social Security payments <strong>&#8220;may be taxed&#8221;<\/strong> by the paying State (art. 20(1)(b)), which is not an exclusive right, and the 1986 totalization agreement covers social security contributions and benefits, not income tax.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Two tax systems and one treaty for Americans in Spain<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>US Spain tax treaty<\/strong> decides which country may tax which income when a US citizen or green-card holder (a US lawful permanent resident) lives in Spain or owns property there. It does not remove tax: it allocates taxing rights, sets a tie-breaker for dual residents and provides for double-tax relief.<\/p>\n<p>This article states the law as at 6 October 2026. It covers Spanish tax law and the Valencian angle. For US filing and US tax questions, coordinate with your US tax adviser, because we do not give US tax advice.<\/p>\n<p>British readers will find the equivalent rules for their treaty in our <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/uk-spain-double-taxation\/\">UK Spain double taxation guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"border-left: 4px solid #2e7d32; background: #f9f9f9; padding: 15px 20px; margin: 24px 0;\">\n<p>The 2013 Protocol to the <strong>US Spain tax treaty<\/strong> has been in force since <strong>27 November 2019<\/strong>, and its withholding rules apply to amounts paid from that date [2].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>What the US Spain tax treaty covers<\/h2>\n<p>The Spanish text of the Convention is in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/diario_boe\/txt.php?id=BOE-A-1990-30940\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">BOE publication of the 1990 Convention<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/diario_boe\/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2019-15166\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">BOE publication of the 2013 Protocol<\/a> records that it was made in Madrid on 14 January 2013 and entered into force on 27 November 2019. The IRS lists both documents on its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/businesses\/international-businesses\/spain-tax-treaty-documents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">page of Spain tax treaty documents<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Article 2 of the Convention covers Spanish personal income tax and corporate income tax, and US federal income taxes, excluding social security contributions. It does not name Spanish wealth tax, which our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/spanish-wealth-tax\/\">Spanish wealth tax and taxes on passive income<\/a> explains.<\/p>\n<p>The Protocol replaced the articles on dividends, interest and royalties and amended, among others, those on capital gains and pensions. Under its article XV(2), the withholding rules apply to amounts paid from 27 November 2019. It did not amend article 4 (residence) or article 1(3) (the savings clause).<\/p>\n<h2>Spanish tax residence for Americans<\/h2>\n<p>Spanish tax residence comes from Spanish law, not from the treaty. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2006-20764#a9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">Article 9 of the Spanish personal income tax law (Ley 35\/2006)<\/a> sets three tests, and meeting any one makes you a resident:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Physical presence:<\/strong> you stay in Spain more than 183 days in the calendar year.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Centre of economic interests:<\/strong> the main base of your activities or economic interests is in Spain, directly or indirectly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Family presumption:<\/strong> your non-separated spouse and dependent minor children habitually live in Spain, which is presumed to make you a resident unless you prove otherwise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Sporadic absences, such as summers in the US, count towards the 183 days unless you prove tax residence elsewhere. The Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) <a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/ayuda\/manuales-videos-folletos\/folletos\/folletos-residentes-rentas-extranjeras\/estados-unidos.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">leaflet for Spanish tax residents with US income<\/a> adds that the proof is a certificate of tax residence issued by the other country&#8217;s tax authorities, and that residence covers the whole calendar year. A Spanish tax resident is taxed in Spain on worldwide income, subject to the treaty.<\/p>\n<p>Personal income tax is partly ceded to the regions under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2006-20764#a3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">article 3 of the same law<\/a>, so the scale that applies to you depends on where you are resident in Spain.<\/p>\n<h2>The tie-breaker rule in article 4<\/h2>\n<p>A person can be a resident of both countries under domestic law, for example someone treated as a US resident under US law who also meets the Spanish tests. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/diario_boe\/txt.php?id=BOE-A-1990-30940\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">Article 4(2) of the Convention<\/a> then applies these steps, each one only if the previous one does not decide:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The State where you have a permanent home available or, if you have one in both, the State with which your personal and economic relations are closer (centre of vital interests).<\/li>\n<li>If that cannot be determined, or you have a permanent home in neither State, the State where you habitually live.<\/li>\n<li>If you habitually live in both or in neither, the State of which you are a national.<\/li>\n<li>If you are a national of both or of neither, the tax authorities settle the case by mutual agreement.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Whether you count as a US resident for treaty purposes is for your US adviser. If your facts may point to both countries, contact us before filing a Spanish return.<\/p>\n<p>Applying the tie-breaker in the <strong>US Spain tax treaty<\/strong> needs evidence, such as a certificate of tax residence, a lease or deed and records of where your family lives.<\/p>\n<h2>The savings clause and US citizens<\/h2>\n<p>Paragraph 3 of article 1 is the savings clause. The Spanish text of the Convention reads:<\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"border-left: 4px solid #2e7d32; background: #f9f9f9; padding: 15px 20px; margin: 24px 0;\">\n<p>&#8220;No obstante las disposiciones del Convenio, excepto las contenidas en el apartado 4, un Estado contratante puede someter a imposici\u00f3n a sus residentes [tal como se definen en el art\u00edculo 4 (residencia)], y por raz\u00f3n de ciudadan\u00eda puede someter a imposici\u00f3n a sus ciudadanos, como si el Convenio no hubiese entrado en vigor.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In English: a Contracting State may tax its residents, and by reason of citizenship its citizens, as if the Convention had not entered into force, except as paragraph 4 provides.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>We describe this clause and do not advise on it. Paragraph 4 lists provisions it does not affect, including article 24 on double-tax relief, article 25 on non-discrimination and article 26 on the mutual agreement procedure. How the clause works in a US return is for your US adviser.<\/p>\n<p>The Spanish Tax Agency&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/ayuda\/manuales-videos-folletos\/folletos\/folletos-residentes-rentas-extranjeras\/estados-unidos.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">US leaflet<\/a> states that tax borne in the US by a Spanish resident on the basis of citizenship gives no right to the Spanish international double-tax deduction, and that it is for the US to avoid that double taxation.<\/p>\n<p>This is why the <strong>US Spain tax treaty<\/strong> does not remove US filing for US citizens who live in Spain.<\/p>\n<h2>Withholding tax rates after the 2013 Protocol<\/h2>\n<p>The table gives the rules for payments by a company resident in one State to a beneficial owner resident in the other. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/diario_boe\/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2019-15166\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">Protocol text in the BOE<\/a> has the full conditions, including the limitation of benefits article.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 20px 0;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6e7d65; color: #ffffff; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Income<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6e7d65; color: #ffffff; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Treaty rule after the Protocol<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6e7d65; color: #ffffff; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Article<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Dividends<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Source State tax capped at 5% of the gross amount if the beneficial owner is a company holding directly at least 10% of the voting shares, and at 15% in other cases. A 0% rate applies in specific cases, such as a pension fund, subject to conditions.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">10(2) to 10(4)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Interest<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Taxable only in the State where the beneficial owner is resident. Exceptions include US contingent interest that is not portfolio interest (limited to 10% when the owner is Spanish).<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">11(1) and 11(2)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Royalties<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Taxable only in the State where the beneficial owner is resident.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">12(1)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<blockquote style=\"border-left: 4px solid #2e7d32; background: #f9f9f9; padding: 15px 20px; margin: 24px 0;\">\n<p>Under the <strong>US Spain tax treaty<\/strong>, the source country may tax dividends at no more than <strong>15%<\/strong>, or 5% for a company holding at least 10% of the voting shares [2].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>For an individual who lives in Spain and receives dividends from a US company, the limit is therefore 15%. Spanish law taxes dividends paid to non-residents at 19% under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2004-4527#a25\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">article 25(1)(f) of the non-resident income tax law<\/a>, so the treaty lowers that for a US resident.<\/p>\n<h2>Which country taxes what<\/h2>\n<p>The table shows what the treaty says for common income types of a Spanish tax resident with US connections. It covers the allocation of taxing rights only, and for US citizens the savings clause means the US may still tax the income. Where official sources do not let us state the Spanish treatment, it says &#8220;check with us&#8221;.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 20px 0;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6e7d65; color: #ffffff; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Income<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6e7d65; color: #ffffff; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">What the treaty says<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #6e7d65; color: #ffffff; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Spanish side for a Spanish resident<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Salary<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Taxable only in the State of residence, unless the work is done in the other State (art. 16(1)), with a short-stay exception (art. 16(2)).<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Work done while you live in Spain is work done in Spain: see our <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/spain-digital-nomad-visa-w2\/\">digital nomad visa guide for US W-2 employees<\/a>. Work done in the US: check with us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Rent from, and gains on, US real estate<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">May be taxed in the US, where the property is (art. 6(1) and 13(1)).<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Spain taxes residents on worldwide income and gives a deduction for the US tax paid (art. 24(1)(a) and art. 80).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Dividends<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Source State may tax up to 15%, or 5% for a qualifying company holding (art. 10).<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Taxed in Spain, with a deduction up to that limit, according to the Spanish Tax Agency.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Interest<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">In general taxable only in the State of residence (art. 11).<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">In general taxed only in Spain, according to the Spanish Tax Agency.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Gains on other assets, such as shares in a US company<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Taxable only in the seller&#8217;s State of residence (art. 13(6)).<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Taxed in Spain, according to the Spanish Tax Agency.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">US Social Security payments<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">May be taxed in the paying State, the US, which is not an exclusive right (art. 20(1)(b)).<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Check with us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Pensions and annuities for past private employment<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Taxable only in the State of residence (art. 20(1)(a) and 20(2)).<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">In general taxed only in Spain, according to the Spanish Tax Agency.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">401(k), IRA and Roth IRA payments<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Article 20(5), added by the Protocol, deals with income from a pension fund resident in the other State.<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">Check with us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div style=\"border-left: 4px solid #2e7d32; background: #f1f8f1; padding: 16px 20px; margin: 24px 0;\">\n<p>For the domestic rules on Spanish dividends paid to people living abroad, see our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/spain-withholding-tax-dividends\/\">Spain withholding tax on dividends for non-residents<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>US Social Security, retirement accounts and the totalization agreement<\/h2>\n<p>Article 20(1)(b) of the Convention says in its Spanish text that Social Security benefits paid by a Contracting State to a resident of the other State, or to a US citizen, &#8220;pueden someterse a imposici\u00f3n en el Estado mencionado en primer lugar&#8221; (may be taxed in the first-mentioned State).<\/p>\n<p>The wording is &#8220;may be taxed&#8221;, so the right of the paying State is not exclusive. The Spanish Tax Agency&#8217;s US leaflet says such payments may also be taxed in the US, and that a Spanish resident can claim the Spanish deduction if the US taxed them on a basis other than citizenship. How a given benefit is taxed on your Spanish return is a point to confirm: please contact us.<\/p>\n<p>We do not state in general terms how Spain taxes withdrawals from a 401(k), an IRA or a Roth IRA. Contact us with the type of plan and your date of arrival in Spain, and we will confirm your case with a cross-border specialist.<\/p>\n<p>The totalization agreement is a separate instrument. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/international\/Agreement_Texts\/spanish.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">SSA text of the agreement<\/a> records that it was signed in Madrid on 30 September 1986 and entered into force on 1 April 1988. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/international\/Agreement_Pamphlets\/spain.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">SSA pamphlet on Spain<\/a> says it covers the Spanish General System and special systems and lets contribution periods in both countries count towards benefits.<\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"border-left: 4px solid #2e7d32; background: #f9f9f9; padding: 15px 20px; margin: 24px 0;\">\n<p>The US-Spain totalization agreement was signed on 30 September 1986 and has been in force since <strong>1 April 1988<\/strong> [8].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It does not decide income tax, and article 2 of the income tax Convention excludes social security contributions. For a contribution record or pension claim, contact the firm.<\/p>\n<h2>How Spain relieves double taxation<\/h2>\n<p>Under article 24(1)(a) of the Convention, Spain relieves double taxation in line with Spanish law, by allowing a deduction equal to the US tax actually paid on income the US may tax on a basis other than citizenship, up to the part of the Spanish tax that corresponds to US income. The Spanish rule is in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2006-20764#a80\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">article 80 of the personal income tax law<\/a>, which deducts the lower of two amounts.<\/p>\n<p>The two amounts are the tax actually paid abroad on that income, under a tax identical or similar to Spanish personal income tax, and the average effective rate of Spanish tax applied to the part of the taxable base taxed abroad.<\/p>\n<p>As seen above, the deduction does not cover US tax charged only because of citizenship. For a calculation on your own income, contact us.<\/p>\n<p>Relief under the <strong>US Spain tax treaty<\/strong> is claimed in the annual Spanish return, where the US tax paid is entered as a deduction for international double taxation [4].<\/p>\n<div style=\"border-left: 4px solid #2e7d32; background: #f1f8f1; padding: 16px 20px; margin: 24px 0;\">\n<p>If you are still planning the move, our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/moving-to-spain-after-2-july\/\">moving to Spain after 2 July<\/a> explains how your arrival date affects Spanish tax residence in the first year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Certificate of Spanish tax residence<\/h2>\n<p>The AEAT issues a certificate of tax residence in Spain for treaty purposes. For treaty countries, its <a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/certificaciones\/censales\/certificados-trib_____ion-certificados-tributarios-residencia-fiscal\/que-certifica.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">page on what the certificate certifies<\/a> says the Spanish authorities certify that you are a resident within the meaning of the treaty, in Spanish and English, if the AEAT data show your Spanish residence.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/ayuda\/consultas-informaticas\/certificados-tributarios-ayuda-tecnica\/solicitud-certificado-tributario-residencia-fiscal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">AEAT page on requesting the certificate<\/a> describes the steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open the request in the electronic office under &#8220;Todas las gestiones&#8221;, &#8220;Certificados&#8221;, &#8220;Censales&#8221;, and identify yourself with Cl@ve, an electronic certificate or the electronic DNI.<\/li>\n<li>Complete the form, validate it, then sign and send. Where possible the certificate is issued immediately.<\/li>\n<li>Alternatively, request it at an AEAT office with form 01 after booking an appointment.<\/li>\n<li>If it cannot be issued at once, you can file supporting documents on your Spanish residence to reopen the file.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This certificate proves Spanish residence only. If you are unsure which country will treat you as a resident, contact us first.<\/p>\n<h2>Spanish property, the Beckham regime and reporting for Americans<\/h2>\n<h3>Owning Spanish property while living in the US<\/h3>\n<p>Under article 6(1) of the Convention, rent from property in Spain may be taxed in Spain, and under article 13(1) so may gains on selling it. Spanish law sets the rates in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2004-4527#a25\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">article 25 of the non-resident income tax law<\/a>: 24% in general (19% for EU or EEA residents with effective exchange of tax information, which excludes the US), 19% on gains from transfers of assets, and a 3% retention by the buyer on sales of Spanish real estate.<\/p>\n<p>Our guides: <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/selling-property-spain-non-resident\/\">selling property in Spain as a non-resident<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/buy-house-valencia-non-resident\/\">buying a house in Valencia as a non-resident<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/us-and-spanish-tax-implications\/\">using US investment funds to buy property<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/us-llc-spain-tax\/\">owning a US LLC while living in Spain<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>The Beckham regime<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2006-20764#a93\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">Article 93 of the personal income tax law<\/a> lets people who become Spanish tax residents because they move to Spain opt to be taxed under the non-resident income tax rules, in the year of the move and the five following tax years. One condition is not having been resident in Spain during the five tax periods before the move. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/beckham-law-spanish-tax-regime\/\">Beckham Law guide<\/a> covers eligibility, and how the regime interacts with this treaty and with US tax is a case-by-case question: please contact us.<\/p>\n<h3>Modelo 720 and Modelo 721<\/h3>\n<p>The Spanish Tax Agency&#8217;s US leaflet says Spanish residents report assets abroad on Modelo 720 in three categories: accounts, securities and insurance, and real estate. A category need not be reported if it does not exceed \u20ac50,000, the form is filed from 1 January to 31 March of the following year, and a later filing is needed only if a category has risen by more than \u20ac20,000.<\/p>\n<p>Virtual currencies held abroad with custodians that safeguard private keys for third parties go on Modelo 721, as the <a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/todas-gestiones\/impuestos-tasas\/declaraciones-informativas\/modelo-721-decla-sobre-monedas-extranjero\/preguntas-frecuentes-sobre-modelo-721.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">AEAT FAQ on Modelo 721<\/a> explains. Penalties for missing or late returns are set by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2003-23186\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">General Tax Law (Ley 58\/2003)<\/a>. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/modelo-720-spain\/\">Modelo 720 guide<\/a> has more detail, and for US accounts, US property or crypto on a US exchange you can contact us to confirm what you must report.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 24px; margin: 32px 0; border-radius: 6px;\">\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0;\">Speak to Delagu\u00eda y Luz\u00f3n about your Spanish tax position<\/h2>\n<p>Your position depends on your residence, income mix and US status. We can review your Spanish tax residence, the treaty position and the Spanish filings that follow, working alongside your US adviser on the US side. Our Valencia office advises people settling in the Comunitat Valenciana.<\/p>\n<p>Contact F\u00e9lix Delagu\u00eda, or use our <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/contact\/\">contact page<\/a>. You can also read about our <a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/tax-law-and-accounting\/\">tax law and accounting practice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Email:<\/strong> <a href=\"mailto:felix.delaguia@delaguialuzon.com\">felix.delaguia@delaguialuzon.com<\/a><br \/><strong>Phone:<\/strong> <a href=\"tel:+34963741657\">+34 963 74 16 57<\/a><br \/><strong>Office:<\/strong> Avinguda Regne de Val\u00e8ncia, 6, 1\u00ba-2\u00ba, 46005 Valencia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>FAQ: US Spain tax treaty<\/h2>\n<h3>Is the US Spain tax treaty in force and what did the 2013 Protocol change?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. The 1990 Convention is in force as amended by the Protocol of 27 November 2019, which changed the rules on dividends, interest and royalties but not the article 4 tie-breaker or the article 1(3) savings clause.<\/p>\n<h3>When am I a Spanish tax resident as an American?<\/h3>\n<p>You are resident for the full calendar year if you stay in Spain more than 183 days, if your main economic interests are there, or, unless you prove otherwise, if your spouse and dependent minor children live there.<\/p>\n<h3>What happens if both Spain and the US treat me as a resident?<\/h3>\n<p>Article 4(2) applies these tests in order: permanent home, centre of vital interests, habitual abode, nationality, then mutual agreement. Contact us if your facts point to both countries.<\/p>\n<h3>Does the treaty stop the US taxing me as a US citizen?<\/h3>\n<p>No. The savings clause in article 1(3) allows the US to tax its citizens as if the Convention were not in force, subject to article 1(4). The Spanish Tax Agency says US tax borne because of citizenship gives no Spanish deduction.<\/p>\n<h3>Does the totalization agreement make my US Social Security tax-free in Spain?<\/h3>\n<p>No. The agreement coordinates social security coverage, contributions and benefits. Under article 20(1)(b) of the income tax Convention the US may tax them without excluding Spain, so contact us to confirm your case.<\/p>\n<h3>Do I have to report my US accounts and property in Spain?<\/h3>\n<p>If you are a Spanish tax resident, Modelo 720 applies when a category of assets abroad exceeds \u20ac50,000, and Modelo 721 covers certain virtual currencies. Contact us to check which obligations apply to your holdings.<\/p>\n<h3>Does the US Spain tax treaty cover Spanish wealth tax?<\/h3>\n<p>No. Article 2 of the <strong>US Spain tax treaty<\/strong> covers Spanish personal and corporate income tax and US federal income taxes, but does not name wealth tax.<\/p>\n<h3>How do I prove I am resident in Spain for the treaty?<\/h3>\n<p>Request a certificate of tax residence from the AEAT electronic office, or at an AEAT office with form 01. It certifies residence within the meaning of the treaty.<\/p>\n<h3>Are US dividends taxed twice?<\/h3>\n<p>The US may tax dividends paid to a Spanish resident at up to 15%. Spain taxes them as savings income and gives a deduction for that US tax, according to the AEAT.<\/p>\n<h3>Does the US Spain tax treaty protect my 401(k) or IRA?<\/h3>\n<p>Article 20(5) of the <strong>US Spain tax treaty<\/strong> deals with income from pension funds, but the Spanish treatment of withdrawals depends on the plan. Contact us with the type of plan and your date of arrival in Spain.<\/p>\n<h2>References<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/diario_boe\/txt.php?id=BOE-A-1990-30940\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">Convention between Spain and the United States for the avoidance of double taxation, 1990 (BOE)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/diario_boe\/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2019-15166\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">Protocol of 14 January 2013 amending the Convention (BOE)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/businesses\/international-businesses\/spain-tax-treaty-documents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">IRS: Spain tax treaty documents<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2006-20764\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">Law 35\/2006 on Personal Income Tax, Articles 3, 9, 80 and 93 (BOE)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/ayuda\/manuales-videos-folletos\/folletos\/folletos-residentes-rentas-extranjeras\/estados-unidos.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">AEAT: leaflet for Spanish residents with income from the United States<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2004-4527\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">Royal Legislative Decree 5\/2004, Non-Resident Income Tax Law, Article 25 (BOE)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/certificaciones\/censales\/certificados-trib_____ion-certificados-tributarios-residencia-fiscal\/que-certifica.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">AEAT: what the certificate of tax residence certifies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/international\/Agreement_Texts\/spanish.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">SSA: text of the US-Spain totalization agreement<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/international\/Agreement_Pamphlets\/spain.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">SSA: pamphlet on the agreement with Spain<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/ayuda\/consultas-informaticas\/certificados-tributarios-ayuda-tecnica\/solicitud-certificado-tributario-residencia-fiscal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">AEAT: requesting a certificate of tax residence<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\/Sede\/todas-gestiones\/impuestos-tasas\/declaraciones-informativas\/modelo-721-decla-sobre-monedas-extranjero\/preguntas-frecuentes-sobre-modelo-721.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">AEAT: Modelo 721 frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/act.php?id=BOE-A-2003-23186\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"dofollow noopener\">Law 58\/2003, General Tax Law (BOE)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<style>\r\n.lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{\r\n            \r\n            margin-top: 40px;\nmargin-bottom: 30px;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-title{\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        }.lwrp .lwrp-description{\r\n            \r\n            \r\n\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-container{\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{\r\n            display: flex;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-double{\r\n            width: 48%;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{\r\n            width: 32%;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{\r\n            display: flex;\r\n            justify-content: space-between;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{\r\n            width: calc(16% - 20px);\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp 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.lwrp-list-no-posts-message{\r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            };\r\n        }<\/style>\r\n<div id=\"link-whisper-related-posts-widget\" class=\"link-whisper-related-posts lwrp\">\r\n    \r\n        <div class=\"lwrp-list-container\">\r\n                                <div class=\"lwrp-list lwrp-list-row-container lwrp-list-single-row\">\r\n                <div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/cultural-differences-living-in-spain\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><img width=\"480\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/cultural-differences-living-in-Spain.jpg\" class=\"attachment-480x480 size-480x480 wp-post-image\" alt=\"cultural differences living in Spain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/cultural-differences-living-in-Spain.jpg 795w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/cultural-differences-living-in-Spain-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/cultural-differences-living-in-Spain-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><br><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Cultural differences living in Spain: An honest guide for British and American expats<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/rent-your-flat-through-airbnb-in-valencia\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><img width=\"480\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/renting-through-airbnb.jpg\" class=\"attachment-480x480 size-480x480 wp-post-image\" alt=\"renting through airbnb\" srcset=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/renting-through-airbnb.jpg 795w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/renting-through-airbnb-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/renting-through-airbnb-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><br><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Is it legal to rent your flat through Airbnb in Valencia?\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/modelo-720-spain\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><img width=\"480\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/modelo-720-spain.jpg\" class=\"attachment-480x480 size-480x480 wp-post-image\" alt=\"modelo 720 spain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/modelo-720-spain.jpg 795w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/modelo-720-spain-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/modelo-720-spain-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><br><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Modelo 720: Mandatory informative declaration of foreign assets for Spanish tax residents<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/spanish-non-lucrative-visa\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><img width=\"480\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/spanish-non-lucrative-visa-application.png\" class=\"attachment-480x480 size-480x480 wp-post-image\" alt=\"Spanish non-lucrative visa application\" srcset=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/spanish-non-lucrative-visa-application.png 1184w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/spanish-non-lucrative-visa-application-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/spanish-non-lucrative-visa-application-1024x747.png 1024w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/spanish-non-lucrative-visa-application-768x560.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><br><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Get your Spanish non-lucrative visa approved<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/uk-spain-cross-border-legal-disputes\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><img width=\"480\" height=\"328\" src=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Resolve-UK\u2013Spain-cross-border-legal-disputes.jpg\" class=\"attachment-480x480 size-480x480 wp-post-image\" alt=\"Resolve UK\u2013Spain cross-border legal disputes\" srcset=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Resolve-UK\u2013Spain-cross-border-legal-disputes.jpg 795w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Resolve-UK\u2013Spain-cross-border-legal-disputes-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Resolve-UK\u2013Spain-cross-border-legal-disputes-768x525.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><br><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Resolve UK\u2013Spain cross-border legal disputes with expert mediation<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/blog\/branch-office-spain-uk-company\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><img width=\"480\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/setting-up-branch-office-spain-uk-company.jpg\" class=\"attachment-480x480 size-480x480 wp-post-image\" alt=\"Setting Up a Branch Office in Spain as a UK Company\" srcset=\"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/setting-up-branch-office-spain-uk-company.jpg 795w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/setting-up-branch-office-spain-uk-company-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/setting-up-branch-office-spain-uk-company-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><br><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Setting up a branch office in Spain as a UK company in 2026<\/span><\/a><\/div>                <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The US Spain tax treaty, the 1990 Convention as amended by the 2013 Protocol in force since 27 November 2019, decides which country taxes the income of Americans in Spain. This guide covers Spanish tax residence, the tie-breaker, the savings clause, dividend rates, Social Security and double taxation relief. Contact our tax team in Valencia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":28351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mbp_gutenberg_autopost":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[54,47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-living-in-spain","category-tax-law"],"permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28172"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28172\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28363,"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28172\/revisions\/28363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/delaguialuzon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}