Tax Planning for Americans Moving to Spain

Cross-Border Tax Advisory · U.S. — Spain

Tax Planning for Americans Moving to Spain.

CVITA is a boutique international tax advisory practice providing tax planning for Americans moving to Spain, helping U.S. individuals, families and internationally mobile clients understand the tax implications of relocation before they become Spanish tax residents.

For Americans, taxes in Spain can involve Spanish tax residency, worldwide income, foreign assets, investments, retirement accounts, business interests and ongoing U.S. reporting obligations. We provide practical, personalized U.S.–Spain tax planning so you can move with clarity and confidence.

“The best time to address Spanish tax issues is before becoming a Spanish tax resident.”

Plan Before You Move

The best time to begin tax planning for Americans moving to Spain is before becoming a Spanish tax resident.

A relocation to Spain may affect how your income, assets, investments, retirement accounts, business interests
and foreign reporting obligations are treated. Early planning can help reduce uncertainty, avoid unnecessary
surprises and create a clearer path before the move takes place.

Our practice helps clients identify the key tax considerations involved in moving to Spain and develop a practical
strategy based on their personal and financial circumstances.

For many clients, the Spain Relocation Tax Analysis is the recommended first step. It provides a structured review
of the key tax issues, planning opportunities and compliance considerations that may apply before relocating to
Spain.

Services

A focused practice for U.S.–Spain tax matters.

Spain Relocation Tax Analysis

CVITA’s signature service for Americans planning a move to Spain, providing a structured review of tax residency, worldwide income, assets, planning opportunities and compliance considerations before relocation.

Tax Planning Before Moving to Spain

Pre-relocation tax planning for U.S. individuals and families considering a move to Spain.

Spanish Tax Residency Analysis

Guidance on Spanish tax residency rules and how residency may affect your worldwide tax position.

U.S.–Spain Cross-Border Tax Advisory

Advisory support for clients dealing with tax issues involving Spain, the United States and other jurisdictions.

Spanish & U.S. Tax Compliance

Support with Spanish and U.S. tax obligations, reporting requirements and ongoing compliance after relocation.

IRS & AEAT Representation

Representation support for tax notices, audits, penalty matters and cross-border tax authority issues involving the IRS or the Spanish Tax Agency, AEAT.

Business and Investment Tax Advisory

Tax guidance for entrepreneurs, investors and business owners with interests connected to Spain and the United States.

Who We Help

We work with clients such as:

01

U.S. citizens and residents moving to Spain

02

U.S. expats already living in Spain

03

Families planning an international relocation

04

Spanish nationals returning from the United States

05

Entrepreneurs and business owners with U.S.–Spain connections

06

Investors with assets or business interests in Spain

07

Remote professionals and internationally mobile individuals

Founder

Cayetano Valdellós

Licensed in Spain & California

Why Work With Us

Cross-border tax planning requires more than understanding one tax system.

Led by a lawyer licensed in both Spain and California, CVITA combines international tax experience with practical advisory support for clients navigating tax issues between Spain, the United States and other jurisdictions. Our goal is to help clients make informed decisions before, during and after their move to Spain.

Articles & Insights

Our Articles & Insights section will provide practical guidance on topics such as moving to Spain, Spanish tax residency, U.S.–Spain tax planning, Spanish compliance obligations, foreign asset reporting and cross-border tax developments

01 Pre-Relocation

Moving to Spain: Tax Checklist

Key questions to address before residency begins — from accounts to assets.

6 min read

02 Residency

Moving to Spain: Tax Checklist

How Spain determines residency and why it matters for your worldwide income.

8 min read

03 Cross-Border

U.S.–Spain Tax Planning

Coordinating two systems: treaty relief, foreign tax credits and timing.

10 min read

04 Compliance

Spanish Wealth
Tax

Who pays, how it is calculated, and the regional differences worth knowing.

7 min read

05 Compliance

Foreign Asset Reporting (Modelo 720)

Reporting obligations for assets held outside Spain and the penalties to avoid.

6 min read

06 Updates

Cross-Border Tax Developments

Recent changes in U.S.–Spain tax policy and what they mean for residents.

5 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is tax planning important before moving to Spain?

Tax planning before moving to Spain is important because becoming a Spanish tax resident may affect your worldwide income, foreign assets, investments, retirement accounts, business interests and reporting obligations. For Americans, relocation can also involve ongoing U.S. tax filing requirements. Planning before the move can help you understand the main tax issues, reduce uncertainty and make informed decisions before Spanish tax residency begins.

When should Americans start tax planning before relocating to Spain?

Americans should ideally begin tax planning before becoming Spanish tax residents. The period before relocation is often the best time to review income, assets, investments, business interests, timing of the move and potential reporting obligations. Early planning can help identify key risks, planning opportunities and compliance considerations before the relocation takes place.

What is CVITA’s Spain Relocation Tax Analysis?

The Spain Relocation Tax Analysis is CVITA’s signature service for Americans planning a move to Spain. It provides a structured review of your personal and financial circumstances, including Spanish tax residency, worldwide income, assets, foreign reporting obligations, U.S.–Spain tax considerations, business or investment interests and potential planning opportunities before relocation.

Do Americans living in Spain still have U.S. tax obligations?

Yes. U.S. citizens and certain U.S. residents may continue to have U.S. filing and reporting obligations even after moving to Spain. This may include U.S. tax returns, foreign asset reporting, FBAR, FATCA and other informational filings where relevant. CVITA helps clients understand how Spanish and U.S. tax obligations may interact after relocation.

How does Spanish tax residency affect Americans moving to Spain?

Spanish tax residency can affect how income, assets and reporting obligations are treated in Spain. Once a person becomes a Spanish tax resident, Spanish tax rules may apply to worldwide income and certain foreign assets. CVITA helps clients analyze Spanish tax residency and understand how it may affect their broader U.S.–Spain tax position.

Who does CVITA help?

CVITA works with U.S. citizens and residents moving to Spain, U.S. expats already living in Spain, families planning an international relocation, Spanish nationals returning from the United States, entrepreneurs, investors, business owners, remote professionals and internationally mobile individuals with U.S.–Spain tax matters.

Does CVITA provide both Spanish and U.S. tax compliance support?

Yes. CVITA assists clients with Spanish and U.S. tax compliance matters after relocation. This may include support related to annual tax obligations, reporting requirements, foreign asset reporting, informational filings, FBAR and FATCA considerations, and tax authority correspondence involving Spain or the United States.

Can CVITA help with IRS or AEAT tax notices?

Yes. CVITA provides representation support for IRS and AEAT matters, including tax notices, audits, penalty issues, foreign asset reporting matters, compliance questions and cross-border tax authority issues. This support is especially relevant for clients dealing with tax authorities in more than one jurisdiction.

Is CVITA only for Americans who have already moved to Spain?

No. CVITA helps both clients who are already living in Spain and those who are still planning their move. Many clients begin before relocation with a Spain Relocation Tax Analysis so they can understand the key tax issues, planning opportunities and compliance obligations before becoming Spanish tax residents.

How can I get started with CVITA?

Most clients begin by scheduling a Spain Relocation Tax Analysis or an initial consultation. This allows CVITA to review your circumstances, understand your planned move, identify the main tax issues involved and determine whether additional planning, compliance support or representation may be needed.

Ready to Plan Your Move to Spain?

Tax decisions made before relocating can have long-term consequences.

Schedule a Spain Relocation Tax Analysis to review your situation and understand the tax planning opportunities
and obligations that may apply before you move.

If you are looking for a Spain tax advisor for Americans, an initial consultation can help clarify the tax issues most
relevant to your move.

Cross-Border Tax Advisory · U.S. — Spain