Think You’re Not a Tax Resident in Spain Because You’re Here Less Than 183 Days? Think Again.

Many expats working in marketing, IT, or other remote consulting roles believe that as long as they spend fewer than 183 days in Spain, they’re automatically safe from becoming Spanish tax residents.Unfortunately, it’s not that simple, and that assumption could land you in trouble with the Spanish tax authorities (Agencia Tributaria).

At In English Gestoría, we regularly meet digital nomads, freelancers, and consultants who are unaware that their centre of economic interests may make them tax residents in Spain, even if they haven’t spent half the year here.

The Hidden Rule: Your Centre of Economic Interests

Spanish tax law doesn’t only look at where you physically live. It also considers where your main economic activity and interests are located, this is known as your “centro de intereses económicos” (centre of economic interests).

You might be considered a tax resident in Spain if:

• Your main source of income comes from Spanish territory, or

• Your business or professional activity is effectively managed from Spain, even if your clients are abroad, or

• You have assets or investments that tie your finances closely to Spain.

  
  

In other words, even if your clients are all in the UK, the US, or elsewhere, if you run your consultancy from your home in Tenerife, Madrid, or Valencia, you might still be considered a Spanish tax resident because your professional base, business decisions, and daily operations are carried out from Spain.

Why This Matters for Expats and Digital Nomads

Being classified as a Spanish tax resident means:

• You must declare your worldwide income in Spain.

• You may have to file the Modelo 720 (foreign assets declaration).

• You could face penalties for non-compliance if you fail to report correctly.

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This often comes as a shock to remote workers who assumed that simply “not hitting 183 days” was enough to avoid residency. The truth is, Spain’s tax system looks deeper than your passport stamps — it looks at where your economic life actually happens.

How to Protect Yourself

Before you make assumptions, talk to a professional who understands both expat life and Spanish tax law. At In English Gestoría, we provide English-speaking accounting services in Spain, helping digital nomads, freelancers, and remote consultants navigate residency rules and avoid unexpected tax issues.

Our team of tax advisors in Tenerife specialises in offering tax solutions for digital nomads in Spain, clear, compliant, and explained in plain English.

Don’t risk being a tax resident without knowing it. Contact In English Gestoría today for a consultation and make sure your tax situation is as mobile as your lifestyle.

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