Your Beckham Law application done right

You may qualify for the Beckham Law if:

1. You haven’t been a resident in Spain for the past five years.
2. You move to Spain primarily for work or related reasons as defined by the law.
3. There is a clear link between your relocation and the start of your job or director role.

Note:

• You can't apply if you were a tax resident in Spain before your job started (e.g., for studies).
• Your move to Spain should closely coincide with the start of your new job.
• Freelancers and independent contractors are generally excluded from this program.

You must submit your Beckham Law application within a maximum period of six months from the date of your registration with the Social Security in Spain or the date included in the certificate that allows you to keep your country's Social Security affiliation. You can only apply within this period, otherwise your application will be rejected.

In theory, the Spanish Tax Agency has up to 10 business days from the moment we file your Beckham Law application to respond. 

However, in our experience, delays are quite common, and the exact timeframe depends greatly on the Tax Office processing your application. 

Sometimes it can take up to 1 or 2 months to get a response, especially in offices with a very high volume of applications, such as in Madrid. 

The documentation required depends on the specific circumstances of each case. It's important to note that it may involve tasks such as your employer preparing certain documents or registering with the Spanish Tax Agency. 

That's why hiring us to handle your Beckham Law application ensures you get assistance with both the application forms and the required supporting documentation.

While it's technically possible for anyone to apply for the Beckham Law status in Spain, the process is complex and fraught with challenges. 

You must deal directly with the Spanish Tax Agency and the application process requires you to complete and correctly fill out complicated tax forms, which can be daunting even for native Spanish speakers. 

Moreover, you need to submit the correct supporting documents, which vary depending on your specific situation. Errors or omissions in your application can lead to delays or rejections.

It's crucial to note that the Spanish Tax Agency typically communicates only in Spanish. If you're not fluent in the language, this can pose a significant barrier, as misunderstandings could jeopardize your application.

Even after submission, the process isn't over. You may need to respond to inquiries from the Spanish Tax Agency, which requires a thorough understanding of Spanish tax law and the ability to communicate effectively in Spanish. 

Given these complexities, many expatriates find it beneficial to seek professional assistance to navigate the Beckham Law application process successfully.

 A Spanish Digital Certificate is like a virtual ID card that lets you do official tasks online. With it, you can securely sign documents, file taxes, check notifications and interact with government services without needing to go anywhere in person. It’s a convenient way to manage your official paperwork from your computer.

To check notifications and track the status of your application, you'll need to log in to the Tax Agency website using Cl@ve or a Spanish Digital Certificate. If you've opted for the Basic Plan and don't have Cl@ve or a Digital Certificate, you may be interested in our Digital Certificate service. If you chose the Premium or Platinum Plan, no worries! A one-year Digital Certificate is included, and we’ll provide you with instructions on how to obtain it. 

No, you don’t, but you must continue working in Spain to avoid being excluded from the special tax regime under the Beckham Law. If you voluntarily quit your job and shortly after find a new job in Spain, your Beckham Law status should remain unaffected.

If you change jobs before applying for the Beckham Law, you must include the details of the employer who initially offered you the job that led you to move to Spain in your Beckham Law application. Even if you switch to a different job with a new employer before applying, provide the information from your first job offer and contract.

You won’t lose the benefits of the Beckham Law if you experience brief unemployment and then start a new job that qualifies for the regime.

Brief unemployment doesn’t automatically exclude you from the Beckham Law. As a reference, the Spanish General Directorate of Taxes considers a period of 4 months of unemployment (which includes job search and registration as unemployed with the relevant government body) to fit within the concept of “brief” so as not to imply the exclusion from the Beckham Law special tax regime.

However, during this time, you should actively search for a new job. Just make sure there’s no long gap between jobs, as this could put your Beckham Law status at risk.

If you haven’t spent more than 183 days in Spain yet, you should be treated as a non-resident. The applicable rate of tax withholdings for non-resident employees is 24%, or 19% if you’re a resident of an EEA country. Your employer will file Form 216 to inform about these tax withholdings. Once you are granted Beckham Law status, you have to share the certificate confirming the application of your status with your employer. Beckham Law employers’ tax withholdings must also be declared using Form 216.

Yes. If you are granted the Beckham Law tax regime and your employer has withheld more than 24% during the same year in which you were granted the certificate, you will be entitled to a tax refund. When you file your income tax return using Form 151 the following year, you will get your tax refund if the amount of withholdings paid by your company is greater than the 24% you should have paid under the Beckham Law regime.

 No, there is no special treatment for Beckham Law taxpayers regarding inheritance and gift taxes. Beckham Law beneficiaries are obliged to pay taxes in Spain on all assets and rights they acquire by inheritance or gift, anywhere in the world, as long as they are tax residents in Spain.

In the event of an inheritance or gift, the person will have to pay the tax in the corresponding Autonomous Community, regardless of where the goods received are located.

No, the Beckham Law does not affect Social Security contributions. This special tax regime only applies to income tax (IRPF). Your Social Security contributions remain unchanged regardless of whether you are under the Beckham Law. 

Freelancing is generally not compatible with the Beckham Law tax regime, except in a few specific circumstances. Starting an economic activity while under the Beckham Law could jeopardize your Beckham Law status. Always consult a tax advisor before making this decision.