Published: 12-03-2026
Individuals who are not tax residents in Spain, but own real estate located within Spanish territory are subject to certain tax obligations in relation to those assets. In particular, they must comply with the obligations arising from the Spanish Non-Resident Income Tax (IRNR), as well as certain municipal taxes, such as the Real Estate Tax (IBI) and, where applicable, the municipal waste management tax.
Taxation under Non-Resident Income Tax (IRNR): Form 210
Spanish legislation establishes that the mere ownership of real estate located in Spain by a non-resident individual may give rise to tax obligations under the Non-Resident Income Tax regime, even where the property does not generate actual income.
These obligations are fulfilled through the filing of Form 210, which is the tax return used to declare income obtained in Spain by non-resident taxpayers.
Let Properties
Where the property is rented out, the non-resident owner must declare the income derived from the rental under the Non-Resident Income Tax regime. In this case, the taxable base will consist of the income obtained from the lease.
Traditionally, Spanish legislation has allowed residents of the European Union or the European Economic Area to deduct certain expenses directly related to the generation of such income (for example, community fees, maintenance costs, insurance, or financing interest). By contrast, residents of third countries were generally not permitted to deduct such expenses.
The Spanish National High Court (Audiencia Nacional) has recently issued a ruling allowing residents outside the European Union to deduct certain expenses related to the rental of property in Spain, thereby aligning their tax treatment with that of EU/EEA residents. However, this decision is not yet final, and its criteria may be reviewed by higher courts or may not be applied generally until a consolidated judicial doctrine is established.
Non-Let Properties (Property Available for Use)
Where the property has not been rented for all or part of the year and has remained available for the owners’ use, the Non-Resident Income Tax regulations establish the obligation to declare a deemed or imputed income.
This imputed income is calculated by applying a percentage to the cadastral value of the property and must also be declared through Form 210.
Risks of Non-Compliance
Although in many cases the amount of tax payable may be relatively small, failure to submit the corresponding tax returns may result in significant consequences, including:
• the imposition of financial penalties and surcharges,
• the accrual of late-payment interest,
• possible seizure of assets or bank accounts located in Spain, and
• difficulties in certain administrative procedures, such as obtaining or renewing visas or residence permits.
For this reason, it is advisable to review each individual situation carefully and ensure full compliance with the applicable tax obligations.
If you would like to learn more about taxation matters, Gentile Law has a team of experts ready to advise you.
Contact:
Lucía Goy Mastromiechele
luciagoy@goygentile.com
+34 626 118 451
Ana García Ginés
anagarcia@gentile.law
+34 604 512 160