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Are you a foreigner living or working in Spain? Understanding how the Spanish tax system works is essential, especially during your first year in the country.
In this guide, we explain when the tax filing period starts, who must file an income tax return in Spain, what documents you should prepare, and what obligations may arise if you have assets abroad.
When Does the 2026 Income Tax Filing Period Start?
The 2026 income tax campaign corresponds to the 2025 fiscal year, meaning that taxpayers must declare income earned between 1 January and 31 December 2025.
The official calendar is published every year by the Spanish Tax Agency.
The filing period generally runs between April and June, with the final deadline usually set at 30 June of the following year.
Even if you moved to Spain during 2025, whether you must file a tax return will depend primarily on whether you are considered a tax resident in Spain for that year.
Am I Required to File a Tax Return if I Am a Foreigner?
Your nationality does not determine your tax obligations in Spain. What matters is tax residency.
In general, you are considered a tax resident in Spain if any of the following conditions apply:
- You spend more than 183 days in Spain during the calendar year
- Your main economic interests or business activities are located in Spain
- Your spouse (if not legally separated) and dependent minor children reside in Spain
If you qualify as a tax resident, you are normally required to declare your worldwide income, including income earned outside Spain.
The main legal framework governing personal income tax is established in Ley 35/2006 del IRPF.
When Is It Mandatory to File a Tax Return in Spain?
In general, you must file an income tax return if:
- You earned more than €22,000 per year from a single employer
- You earned more than €15,000 from two or more employers when the second payer exceeds €1,500
- You are self-employed (autónomo)
- You received certain public benefits or subsidies
- You obtained income from abroad
Many foreigners assume that if taxes are already withheld from their salary each month, they do not need to file a tax return.
However, monthly tax withholdings are only advance payments, and the annual income tax return determines the final amount owed.
What If I Have Income in My Home Country?
Spain has double taxation agreements with many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
If you earn income abroad while living in Spain:
- You may still need to declare that income in Spain
- You may be able to avoid double taxation through a tax treaty
- You may need official certificates documenting foreign income
Each tax treaty works differently, so it is important to review the agreement between Spain and your country of origin.
Do I Have to Declare Assets Held Abroad?
If you are a tax resident in Spain, you may also have an obligation to declare certain assets located outside Spain.
This is done through an informative declaration called Modelo 720.
This declaration does not involve paying tax, but it allows the Spanish tax authorities to monitor assets held abroad.
You must submit this declaration if the value of your foreign assets exceeds €50,000 in any of the following categories:
Bank accounts abroad
For example:
- foreign current accounts
- savings accounts
- deposits in foreign banks
Financial investments and rights
This category may include:
- shares
- investment funds
- bonds
- life insurance policies
- pensions or similar financial products
Real estate located outside Spain
This includes:
- houses
- apartments
- land
- commercial properties located abroad
The €50,000 threshold applies separately to each category.
This means that if the total value of assets in one category exceeds €50,000, all assets within that category must be declared.
For example:
- €60,000 in a foreign bank account → declaration required
- €70,000 in foreign shares → declaration required
- €120,000 property abroad → declaration required
If assets have already been declared in previous years, the declaration normally only needs to be submitted again if their value changes by more than €20,000 or if assets are sold or transferred.
What Documents Should I Prepare?
Preparing your documents in advance can make the tax filing process much easier.
Basic checklist:
- NIE or DNI identification number
- Digital certificate, Cl@ve access, or tax reference number
- Tax data provided by the Tax Agency (datos fiscales)
- Withholding certificate from your employer
- Bank certificates
- Documentation of foreign income (if applicable)
If you are self-employed in Spain, you should also prepare:
- issued invoices
- deductible business expenses
- quarterly tax filings
If your tax return shows “A devolver” (refund due), it means that you paid more tax during the year than you actually owed.
Employers withhold part of your salary each month as advance income tax (IRPF).
When you submit your tax return, the Tax Agency calculates the exact tax amount owed.
If the amount already withheld is higher than the final tax liability, the difference will be refunded.
Common reasons include:
- changing jobs during the year
- temporary contracts
- working only part of the year
- higher default tax withholdings
A refund is not a bonus, it simply means that you overpaid taxes during the year.
What Documents Should I Prepare?
If this is your first year living in Spain, it is important to carefully review your tax situation.
We recommend:
- Confirm whether you are considered a tax resident in Spain
- Check whether a tax treaty exists between Spain and your country
- Review whether you may need to declare assets held abroad
- Analyze whether filing a tax return may be beneficial
In some cases, filing voluntarily can even result in a tax refund.
Income tax obligations in Spain do not depend on nationality but on tax residence and income sources.
If you lived or worked in Spain during the last year, reviewing your tax situation before the filing deadline can help you avoid penalties and unnecessary stress.
Shall We Review Your Case?
If you are unsure about:
- whether you must file a tax return in Spain
- whether foreign income must be declared
- whether you must report assets held abroad
- or whether you may receive a refund
the team at HolaExpat can analyze your tax situation individually and help you file your Spanish income tax return correctly.
Book your consultation and ensure your tax obligations in Spain are handled properly.