Withholding tax in Spain 2026

Non-residents pay Spanish tax at source: 24% on salaries and business income (19% if you live in the EU or information-sharing European Economic Area), 19% on dividends, interest and capital gains.

Generous exemptions blunt it — bank deposit interest, public bonds and most securities gains of EU residents escape Spanish tax entirely.

At a glance

top rate: 24% (employment and business income of non-EU residents)
entry band: 2% on temporary seasonal work contracts
tax year basis: Taken when the payment is made
filing deadline: Event-based; most rates are final
residency basis: Spanish-source income of non-residents
regime flag: 3% of the price withheld when non-residents sell Spanish property

Rates

Non-resident tax on Spanish income (2026)

Rate	Base	Applies to
24%	Gross	Employment, business and professional income (19% for EU/EEA-with-exchange residents, who can also deduct expenses)
19%	Gross	Dividends and interest
24%	Gross	Royalties (19% for EU residents; 15% for certain non-author royalties)
19%	Net gain	Capital gains — with broad EU/EEA and treaty-country exemptions for securities
8% / 30% / 40%	Progressive	Pensions: 8% to €12,000, 30% to €18,700, 40% above
2%	Gross	Temporary seasonal employment

Thresholds & allowances

Key exemptionsBank deposit interest; Spanish public bonds; EU-resident gains on most movable assets; listed-share gains for treaty residents
Substantial (25%+) holdings and property-rich companies are carved out

Residency

Residency trigger

These rules tax people who are not Spanish residents, item by item, on income arising in Spain — usually with no allowances and no expense deductions (EU residents excepted).

Non-resident treatment

EU residents earning at least 75% of worldwide income from Spanish work can elect the resident regime with its allowances. When a non-resident sells Spanish property, the buyer must withhold 3% of the price and pay it to the tax office against the seller's gain.

Notes

Tax treaties often cut dividend, interest and royalty withholding below the domestic rates shown — check the treaty first.
Imputed income on an empty Spanish holiday home (roughly 1.1%–2% of cadastral value a year) is taxed even if no rent is received.
Rental income is taxed on the gross amount for non-EU landlords; EU/EEA landlords may deduct directly linked expenses.
An EU-wide fast-refund system for excess withholding applies from 2030; Spain has not yet enacted it.

FAQ

What tax does a non-resident pay on Spanish rental income?

19% if you live in the EU or information-sharing EEA (with expense deductions), otherwise 24% on the gross rent with no deductions.

Why was 3% held back when I sold my Spanish property?

Buyers must withhold 3% of the price from any non-resident seller as a down payment on the seller's 19% capital gains tax — you reclaim any excess by filing.

Figures: tax year 2026, compiled from public sources. Not tax advice.

See withholding tax in other countries

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