Contact

News & Insights

The Big Deal – Spain and Britain Sign Gibraltar Fiscal Treaty

The treaty will stipulate that an individual will be treated as a tax resident of Spain if they:

  • spend more than 183 nights per year in Spain, or
  • have a spouse residing habitually in Spain, or
  • have a permanent home in Spain, or
  • have two-thirds of their net assets in Spain.

The agreement also seeks to remove any relevant double taxation issues and offer compliance with individual domestic laws of the country in which an individual resides.

Competitive wealth management options in Gibraltar and Spain

Spain has long bemoaned the benefits gained by Gibraltar’s low tax rates for individuals and businesses – for example, there is a 10% tax on corporate profits in Gibraltar, whereas the rate is 25% in Spain. The GB Island territory is currently host to an estimated 55,000 companies which far outstrips the population of around 30,000.

And Spain is seeking to ensure that when an individual or business has the majority of their assets and business activity in Spain, they pay their tax in Spain.

However, if a Gibraltar-registered business can prove that at least 75% of their revenue is generated in Gibraltar and they were registered there before 16 November 2018, then they will be able to remain as tax resident in Gibraltar.

The Chief Minister of Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC MP, said, “This is an important moment for Gibraltar and for our relations with our neighbour.”

In a letter to David Liddington MP (Theresa May’s de facto deputy) Mr Picardo acknowledged that the treaty was massively significant.

Blacktower wealth management advice in Gibraltar and Spain

Whether you are an expat in Gibraltar or Spain, Blacktower FM can help you make the most of your investments, pensions and savings wherever you reside.

Contact your local office for wealth management advice in Gibraltar or any one of our four regional Spanish offices in Barcelona, Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida and Costa del Sol today.

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

Safeguarding your Pension and Assets

Many UK expatriates do not realise that even if they have left and are no longer resident in the UK, they remain UK-domiciled and therefore subject to UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) on their worldwide estate at a rate of 40 per cent after allowances. This can come as a major shock. 

Brexit

What can be done about this? There are several options. 

Transfers of wealth on death between husband and wife are exempt from IHT, but only if the spouse is also domiciled in the UK (or both are non-domiciled). This catches out many expatriates who have married a foreign passport holder who is likely to be domiciled elsewhere. Even then, the IHT is only delayed rather than avoided, because on the death of the survivor the tax will be payable on the passing of the family assets to the next generation. 

Read More

What’s Your Retirement Income Outlook?

RainbowThe pension freedoms of 2014 radically altered the way many expats are now able to access their retirement funds. The changes, which came into force in April 2015, ended the age of annuity-by-default and allowed people to take multiple tax-free sums, have flexible options regarding income drawdown and provided more scope for expat pensions and transfers into schemes such as SIPPs and QROPS.

However, although these changes have been empowering, they do place a greater emphasis on the need for trusted expat financial advice, particularly for those who wish to maintain the same standard of living they have enjoyed while working once they are retired and have to live entirely of the retirement income generated by their pensions and other assets.

Read More

Select your country

Please select your country of residence so we can provide you with the most relevant information: