International Clients
Most of our clients
aren't originally from Spain -
and that's exactly why
they work with us.
Moving to Spain, buying property, or running a business here raises legal and tax questions that are specific to where you're coming from.
We've built our entire practice around those questions - and we speak your language, both literally and professionally.
English | Spanish | Russian | French | Italian
proof in numbers
Our experience in numbers
20+
Years advising
international clients
100+
Relocations guided
on the Costa del Sol
5+
Languages spoken
by our team
Clients by country
We understand where
you're coming from
Spanish law doesn't exist in a vacuum - and neither does your situation. The advice you need depends heavily on your nationality, your home country's tax rules, and your existing obligations.
​
Here's how we approach the most common client groups we work with.
| GB
United Kingdom
British nationals are the largest group of foreign residents on the Costa del Sol - and since Brexit, the legal landscape has changed significantly. You now face non-EU residency requirements, potential double taxation on pensions and investments, and new rules around healthcare and driving licences.
​
We help UK clients navigate residency under the new post-Brexit framework, understand how UK state and private pensions are taxed in Spain, and stay compliant with both HMRC and Hacienda simultaneously.
Note for recent arrivals: the 90-day rule under the new framework has tripped up many UK nationals who assumed their rights were unchanged. We can clarify your exact position.
| US
United States
American clients face a challenge no other nationality does: the US taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Moving to Spain means operating within two full tax systems simultaneously - including FATCA reporting, FBAR filings, and potential double taxation on income, capital gains, and retirement accounts.
We coordinate with US-qualified tax advisors to ensure your Spanish tax position doesn't create unnecessary liability back home. Getting this wrong in either direction can be costly and difficult to unwind.
We work with US-side advisors to coordinate your full cross-border picture. Spanish advice alone isn't enough for American clients - and we won't pretend otherwise.
| NO | SE | DK | FI
Nordic Countries
Scandinavian clients often arrive well-organised and prepared - and then find that Spain's tax and bureaucratic systems work very differently from what they're used to at home. Key issues include the interaction between Nordic social security agreements and Spanish obligations, and the taxation of property or investments held back home.
​
We advise Nordic clients on double taxation treaty positions, Modelo 720 obligations for Scandinavian assets, and how to become tax-resident in Spain without inadvertently losing benefits in your home country.
Spain and Nordic countries have tax treaties - but they don't eliminate all obligations. The details matter more than most clients expect.
| AE | QA | SA
Middle East & GCC
Clients from the Gulf states are often investing in Spanish property or relocating families while maintaining significant business interests in the region. The transition from a low-tax or zero-tax jurisdiction to Spain requires careful planning - Spanish wealth tax, inheritance rules, and residency obligations can come as a surprise.
We assist GCC clients with property acquisitions, residency planning, structuring ownership for tax efficiency, and ensuring that cross-border wealth arrangements are properly handled under Spanish law.
Spain's wealth and inheritance tax rules come as a genuine surprise to most GCC clients. Early planning makes a significant difference.
| RU
Russian-Speaking Clients
We have a long history of working with Russian-speaking clients on the Costa del Sol - from Russia, Ukraine, and other CIS countries. Our team advises in Russian and understands both the legal challenges and the personal circumstances that clients from this region often navigate.
​
We provide full-scope legal and tax support - residency, property ownership, company structures, and compliance - with sensitivity to the current environment and strict adherence to applicable regulations.
We assess each client's situation individually and work strictly within all applicable compliance requirements.
| de | fr | it | be | nl
EU Nationals
EU citizens benefit from freedom of movement - but "I can live here" is not the same as "my tax affairs are in order." Relocating to Spain still triggers tax residency changes, social security coordination, and foreign asset reporting obligations regardless of your EU status.
We help EU nationals from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and beyond with the transition - particularly around dual residency, pension transfers, property taxation, and the timing of becoming Spanish tax-resident.
Many EU clients assume their move is straightforward because of freedom of movement. The legal part is - the tax part rarely is.
Clients by country
Who We Typically Help
Every client's situation is unique.
But after 20 years, we recognise the patterns.
You might be exactly who we work with if…
What to expect from us
How we work with
international clients
Working with a foreign law firm for the first time - in a different language, in a different legal system - requires trust.
​
Here's what we do to earn it.
We advise in your language
Legal advice should never feel like a translation exercise. We advise fluently in English, Spanish, Russian, German, French, and Italian - so you understand exactly what's being recommended and why.
One person who knows your case
You work directly with Leila or a named team member throughout your matter. You won't explain your background to a different person every time you call, and your emails don't go into a general inbox.
Clear fees agreed upfront
For defined work - NIE applications, residency, conveyancing, annual tax filings - we quote a fixed fee before starting. No hourly billing surprises. For complex matters, we agree the basis before any work begins.
We explain the whole picture
International clients often come to us with one specific question and discover there are two or three related issues they hadn't considered. We map the full picture, tell you what matters and what doesn't, and let you decide how to proceed.
We coordinate across borders
Spanish legal advice alone isn't always enough. Where your situation requires coordination with advisors in your home country - particularly for US clients, or complex inheritance matters - we work alongside them rather than in isolation.
We work remotely when needed
Many of our international clients handle the entire process without being physically present for every step. We can manage property transactions, residency applications, and most advisory work remotely - with Power of Attorney arrangements where required.
Common questions we answer
If you've Googled any of these, you're in the right place
Most international clients come to us with one of a handful of core uncertainties. These are the questions we answer every week.
01
"I split my time between Spain and another country - which one do I pay tax in?"
Tax residency is determined by a combination of days spent, habitual residence, economic ties, and family centre of interests. Getting the assessment wrong - in either direction - has real consequences: underpayments, penalties, or obligations in two countries simultaneously. We assess your specific situation against applicable double taxation treaties and give you a clear answer.
02
"Do I need to declare my assets held outside Spain?"
If you are a Spanish tax resident with foreign assets above certain thresholds, you are likely required to file Modelo 720 - Spain's foreign asset declaration. The penalties for non-compliance have historically been among the most severe in Europe. We handle the filing, advise on what qualifies for reporting, and ensure you are compliant without over-declaring unnecessarily.
03
"How will my inheritance be handled if I die as a Spanish resident?"
Cross-border inheritance is one of the most complex and emotionally charged areas we deal with. Spanish inheritance tax, forced heirship provisions - which restrict how freely you can leave assets - and their interaction with your home country's succession laws all need to be considered together. Planning ahead, whether through a will, trusts, or restructuring ownership, can make an enormous difference for the people you leave behind.
04
"I have been living in Spain for years but never properly registered or filed - is it too late?"
It is not too late, but it does need to be handled correctly. Voluntary regularisation - coming into compliance proactively - is significantly better than being found out. We have helped many clients in this situation, and we know how to approach the process in a way that minimises exposure, avoids unnecessary penalties, and gives you a clean start going forward.
05
"Can I benefit from the Beckham Law as a new arrival?"
Spain's special tax regime for new residents - commonly called the Beckham Law - allows qualifying individuals to pay a flat 24% tax on Spanish-source income rather than standard progressive rates, and to be exempt from tax on most foreign income. Eligibility has specific requirements and the application window is narrow. We assess whether you qualify and manage the application so the opportunity is not missed.
06
"I received a letter from Hacienda and don't know what it means - what do I do?"
Don't ignore it. Letters from the Spanish tax authority range from routine information requests to the opening of a formal inspection. The response required, the deadlines, and the stakes vary enormously depending on what has been sent. We review the letter, explain exactly what it means, and advise on the appropriate response - whether that is a simple reply or representation in a formal proceeding.
07
"Can I buy property in Spain without being resident, and what are the tax implications?"
Yes, non-residents can purchase property in Spain - but doing so comes with specific obligations: a NIE, potential withholding on the purchase price, annual non-resident income tax (Modelo 210), and capital gains obligations when you sell. If you are buying as an investment or planning to rent the property, the structure of ownership also matters. We manage the transaction and advise on the most efficient approach for your situation.
What good advice looks like vs. what to watch out for
Not all legal advisors
in Spain are the same
The Costa del Sol has no shortage of people offering "relocation advice" and "property legal services."
​
Here's the difference between advice that protects you and advice that leaves gaps.
Common gaps we see
Advice on the Spanish side only - no awareness of home-country implications
Property conveyancing completed without addressing ongoing non-resident tax obligations
Residency sorted but tax registration never followed up
Modelo 720 not mentioned - or completed incorrectly
No inheritance planning before significant Spanish assets are accumulated
Beckham Law window missed because advice came too late
What we do differently
We assess your full cross-border picture - Spain and home country together
Every property transaction includes a clear briefing on post-completion tax obligations
Residency and tax registration are handled as a complete process, not separately
Modelo 720 is reviewed and filed correctly - or confirmed as not required
Inheritance planning is raised proactively, not after a crisis
Beckham Law eligibility is assessed at the first consultation for new arrivals
Your first steps in Spain
What typically happens when you become a client
Most international clients start with a single question. Here's how that usually unfolds from the first conversation to a settled legal and tax position.
01
Initial consultation - map your situation
We discuss your circumstances, timeline, and what you're trying to achieve. Most clients arrive with one question and leave with a clear picture of the full scope - including things they hadn't thought to ask about. We'll tell you honestly what's urgent, what can wait, and what can be handled in stages.
02
Clear proposal - scope and fees agreed
For any work we take on, we provide a clear breakdown of what we'll do and what it will cost before we start. For defined tasks - NIE, residency application, conveyancing - that's a fixed fee. For ongoing or complex advisory work, we agree the basis upfront and you stay informed throughout.
03
We handle the process - you stay informed
We manage the filings, appointments, correspondence, and coordination - including with notaries, registries, Hacienda, and other agencies. You don't have to navigate Spanish bureaucracy alone. We update you at meaningful stages and are reachable when something comes up.
04
Settled position - ongoing support if needed
Most matters reach a natural conclusion - your residency is in place, your tax affairs are filed, your property transaction is completed. We brief you on what to expect going forward and remain available for questions as your situation evolves.
International Clients
Your situation is unique -
that's why a conversation is
the best place to start.
We advise international clients across Europe, the UK, the Middle East, and beyond. Whatever brings you to Spain, we'll help you understand exactly where you stand.
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Have a question about your situation in Spain?
Call or write to us - we respond personally.
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