.png "The Beckham Law and Buying Property in Spain: What International Buyers Should Know")
Buying a property in Spain is not only a real estate decision. For many international buyers, especially those planning to relocate, it is also a tax and wealth-planning decision.
One of the most relevant regimes for foreign buyers moving to Spain is the Beckham Law, officially the special tax regime for workers, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors relocated to Spain. It can be highly attractive, but it should be reviewed before moving to Spain and before purchasing a property.
At Pollentia Properties, we support international buyers throughout the property search and purchase process in Mallorca, coordinating when needed with lawyers, tax advisers, mortgage advisers and other local specialists. Pollentia Properties offers a wide selection of properties for sale in Mallorca, including villas, country houses, townhouses, apartments and plots.
The Beckham Law allows certain individuals who move to Spain for professional reasons to be taxed under rules similar to those applicable to non-residents, while still being Spanish Personal Income Tax taxpayers.
In practice, the regime may apply for up to six tax years: the year of relocation and the following five tax years.
Its main advantage is that qualifying income may be taxed at a fixed rate of 24% up to €600,000, and 47% on the excess, instead of being taxed under the ordinary progressive Spanish income tax scale.
No. The Beckham Law does not exempt the buyer from property purchase taxes.
If the buyer purchases a resale property, Transfer Tax will usually apply. If the buyer purchases a new-build property, VAT and Stamp Duty will normally apply. These taxes depend on the property and the transaction, not on whether the buyer is under the Beckham regime.
However, the regime can still be very relevant because it affects the buyer’s wider personal tax position after becoming resident in Spain.
For foreign buyers relocating to Spain, the Beckham Law may offer three key advantages.
First, it can provide a more predictable income tax position, especially for executives, entrepreneurs, remote workers, professionals and company directors moving to Spain.
Second, it can limit exposure to Spanish Wealth Tax. In general terms, taxpayers under this regime are exposed to Spanish Wealth Tax on assets and rights located in Spain, rather than on their worldwide assets.
Third, it may reduce the impact of Spanish taxation on certain foreign assets and foreign-source income, depending on the type of income, ownership structure and applicable double tax treaties.
For buyers considering Mallorca as a base, this can be particularly relevant when purchasing high-value homes, second residences or investment properties for sale in Mallorca. Pollentia Properties has a dedicated investment property section for buyers looking for opportunities with a clearer investment angle.
Buying a home in Spain does not, by itself, give access to the Beckham Law.
The buyer must usually meet several conditions: they must not have been tax resident in Spain during the previous five tax years, the move must be linked to an eligible professional reason, and the regime must be formally requested within the legal deadline.
Eligible situations may include employment, certain director roles, entrepreneurial activity, qualified professional activity and some remote-working cases, depending on the facts.
Documentation is essential. Contracts, relocation letters, role descriptions, start dates, immigration status and evidence of the professional reason for the move should be aligned before applying.
The most important point is timing.
The Beckham Law should be reviewed before arriving in Spain, before signing employment or director agreements, before buying the property and before transferring assets.
Once the buyer has already moved, signed, purchased or restructured assets, the planning options may be more limited.
For high-value buyers, the right question is not only “Can I buy this property?” but “What is the correct way to buy it within my Spanish tax position?”
The Beckham Law may help with income and wealth tax exposure, but it does not replace inheritance and gift tax planning.
A property located in Spain remains a Spanish asset. Therefore, a villa, finca or high-value apartment in Mallorca may still be relevant for Wealth Tax, Large Fortunes Tax, inheritance tax and future succession planning.
This is especially important for families with children, couples buying jointly, buyers with assets in several countries or clients considering a future transfer of wealth.
Before reserving a property or signing a private purchase contract, an international buyer should review:
Buyers can also explore current properties for sale in Mallorca to understand the range of villas, apartments, country homes and plots available across the island. Pollentia Properties’ current listings include more than 800 properties for sale in Mallorca.
The Beckham Law can be a powerful tool for international buyers relocating to Spain for professional reasons. It does not reduce the taxes payable on the property purchase itself, but it can significantly improve the buyer’s broader tax position during the first years of residence.
For clients buying high-value homes or investment properties in Mallorca, the key is to plan early. The tax position should be reviewed before arrival, before signing and before buying.
At Pollentia Properties, we support international buyers not only in finding the right property, but also in coordinating the process with lawyers, tax advisers, banks, mortgage advisers and currency specialists. From our offices in Palma and Pollença, we can organise viewings, in-person meetings and a purchase plan adapted to each client’s profile.
For buyers coming specifically to Mallorca, a one-day inspection trip with airport pick-up and selected viewings, or a one-week stay to refine the search, can be the most efficient way to move forward with confidence.
To discuss your search, view suitable properties or plan your next step in Mallorca, contact Pollentia Properties.
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. The application of the Beckham Law depends on each buyer’s personal, professional and wealth circumstances. Before buying a property or changing tax residence to Spain, individual tax advice should be obtained.
