Non-Resident Tax Spain 2024: Latest Changes and Key Deadlines

For non-resident property owners in Spain, filing the Modelo 210 tax return is an annual requirement. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the 2024 tax year (to be declared in 2025), detailing essential deadlines, capital gains tax obligations, updates on direct debit payments, and key rules for imputed and rental income tax.

At IberianTax, we simplify the process, ensuring a hassle-free tax filing experience without requiring a Spanish digital certificate or prior tax knowledge.

Who Must File a Non-Resident Tax Return?

All non-resident property owners in Spain must file at least one Modelo 210 tax return per year for imputed (deemed) income, even if the property is not rented and is used solely for personal purposes.

If the property is rented, the owner must declare rental income and pay the corresponding taxes.

Additionally, if a property was sold in 2024, the seller must declare and pay capital gains tax within four months from the date of sale.

Key Deadlines for the 2024 Tax Year (to be filed in 2025)

Change in Rental Income Reporting (Annual Filing Instead of Quarterly)

Since 2024, non-residents who rent out their Spanish property must file an annual rental income tax return instead of quarterly declarations.

• The deadline for rental income earned in 2024 is between January 1st - January 20th, 2025.
• This replaces the previous system, which required quarterly declarations.

Example: Property Rental in 2024

• If you rented your property from January to June 2024:You must file one Modelo 210 tax return in January 2025, covering all rental income earned in 2024.
• If the property was vacant for part of the year (e.g., July to December 2024):You must also file a separate Modelo 210 return for imputed income, due by December 31st, 2025.

Capital Gains Tax for Non-Residents 

If a non-resident sells a property in Spain, a capital gains tax return (Modelo 210) must be filed within four months from the date of sale.

• Capital Gains Tax Rate: 19% for all non-residents (EU and non-EU).
• Retention of 3% by the Buyer: The buyer must retain 3% of the sale price and pay it directly to the tax office as an advance on the seller's capital gains tax.
• If the seller owes less than the retained amount, they can request a refund of the difference when filing their capital gains tax return.

Direct Debit from SEPA accounts (Second Year in Use)

In 2024, non-residents were able to pay their taxes via direct debit from SEPA (EU) bank accounts for the first time. This offers an alternative to using a Spanish bank account.

However, the first year of implementation (2024) revealed a delay in payment processing. Non-residents using a SEPA account saw tax payments debited approximately 20 days later than those using a Spanish account.

Key Takeaways:

• Direct debit from SEPA accounts works as a payment method, making it a convenient option for those without a Spanish bank account.
• Taxpayers using this method should anticipate potential delays in payment processing. 

Imputed Income Tax: 2% vs. 1.1%

Non-residents must pay imputed income tax on their property if it was not rented at any point during 2024.

General Rule:

The taxable base is 2% of the cadastral value (as shown on the IBI receipt).

Exception:

If the municipality has undergone a General Collective Revision within the last 10 years (2014 onwards), the rate is reduced to 1.1%.

Want to quickly estimate how much tax you owe for your non-rented property?

Use our Non-Resident Tax Calculator for an instant assessment.

Late Submission: Penalties & Interest Charges

Failing to meet the 2025 filing deadlines can result in:

• A penalty of at least 50% of the tax due if the tax office requests submission.
• Additional interest charges on unpaid amounts.
• Reduced penalties of up to 15% if the return is filed voluntarily before receiving a tax office notice.

Filing early through IberianTax helps avoid these penalties.

Additional Topics for Non-Resident Property Owners in Spain

1. Paying Local Taxes (IBI & Garbage Collection Fees)

Many non-residents struggle to pay IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) and garbage collection fees. We are currently assessing the feasibility of managing these local tax payments for our clients.

2. Digital Certificate

We are evaluating a service for digital certificate registration to assist non-resident taxpayers.

3. Rental Income Tracking & Expense Deduction Tool

We are working on a dedicated section in IberianTax that will allow non-residents to log throughout the year rental income and deductible expenses such as utilities, insurance, and property management fees.

This will make rental income tax filing simpler and more efficient.

Why Choose IberianTax?

• 100% Online Filing – No Spanish digital certificate required.
• Automatic Calculations – We ensure accuracy in all declarations.
• Secure Payment Options – Pay using SEPA direct debit or other convenient methods.
• Expert Support – Our team helps ensure compliance with Spanish tax laws.

Filing your 2024 non-resident tax return in Spain has never been easier.

Start your tax filing now at IberianTax and ensure compliance with Spanish tax regulations.