El blog de Maria

Hey there, everyone! If you're thinking about retiring to Spain, you’re not alone—more and more people are choosing our beautiful country as their retirement destination. But before you pack your bags and start dreaming about sunny days on the beach, it’s important to understand how taxes and healthcare work here. So, let’s get into the essentials!

Taxes for Retirees in Spain

1. Tax Residency: You’ll be considered a tax resident in Spain if you spend more than 183 days a year here. This means you’ll be paying taxes on all of your income, including pensions. But don’t worry—Spain has double taxation agreements with many countries, so you shouldn’t have to pay taxes twice.

2. Pension Income Tax: Your pension will be taxed in Spain if you’re a resident. But, the good news is that Spain offers some tax breaks for retirees, like deductions for pension income. If you're coming from a country with a bilateral agreement, you might even get a bit more relief.

3. Non-Resident Taxation: If you’re only planning to spend part of the year in Spain, you might qualify for the non-resident tax regime. This lets you pay a flat 24% tax on your pension income, which can be way better than the progressive tax rates residents pay.

Healthcare Access in Spain

1. EU Retirees: If you’re from the EU, you’ll be covered for your first year in Spain with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). After that, you’ll need to register with the Spanish social security system to keep your healthcare benefits.

2. Non-EU Retirees: For non-EU folks, it’s a little different. You’ll need to register with Spain’s social security system and probably pay a monthly fee. But this is well worth it, as Spain’s healthcare system is top-notch!

3. Bilateral Agreements: If you’re coming from a non-EU country that has a social security agreement with Spain, you may be able to access the healthcare system without extra payments, as long as you’ve been contributing to your home country’s system.

A Little Personal Note

I totally get it—moving to a new country is a big deal, and figuring out the taxes and healthcare side of things can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, you’re not alone in this! We’ve helped lots of retirees make the move to Spain and understand all these details, so we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Conclusion

Taxes and healthcare in Spain are a bit different from what you might be used to, but once you know the basics, it’s really not that complicated. Just make sure to check if your home country has a double taxation agreement with Spain to avoid any nasty surprises, and remember to get yourself registered for healthcare when you settle in.

Retirees are definitely our favorite people—you bring wisdom, patience, and a lot of great energy! So, if you have any questions or need help with your move, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to assist you in making your retirement in Spain as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!