Spain is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those seeking a better quality of life, great weather, and strong connections to Europe. But moving abroad isn’t just about packing your bags — it’s about understanding the legal, tax, and practical steps involved in relocating.
At Fuster & Associates, we’ve been helping international clients settle in Spain with confidence for over 25 years. Here’s how we can support you at every stage of the process.
1. Residency: your first step, and it starts from Canada
Before you buy a home or make any permanent move, you need to define your legal status in Spain. If you don’t hold EU citizenship, you’ll need a residency visa, and it’s important to know that these visas must be requested from your country of origin — not from within Spain. You cannot normally enter as a tourist and then change your status later, although there are exceptions in specific cases.
Depending on your personal situation, we’ll help you choose the best option:
- Married to an EU citizen: If you’re married to a European national, you can apply directly for residency as a family member of an EU citizen.
- Non-lucrative visa: Designed for those who aren’t planning to work in Spain but can show sufficient financial means.
- Work or self-employment visa: For those moving with a job offer or to start a business.
We guide you through every step — from preparing documents and official translations to managing consular appointments and obtaining your NIE (Foreigner Identity Number).
2. Buying property with legal security
Once your residency is in place, many clients start looking for a home. The Spanish property buying process is very different from what you’re used to in Canada — which is why legal support is essential from day one.
At Fuster & Associates, we offer:
- Full legal review of the property and the purchase contract
- Management of all notarial and land registry procedures
- Client account to safely hold your payments throughout the process
- Bank guarantee management to protect your money until delivery
This ensures your investment is secure, and that your purchase is handled transparently and in accordance with Spanish law.
3. Tax planning: no surprises down the road
Living in Spain means understanding how the Spanish tax system works. Once you’ve spent more than 183 days per calendar year in Spain, you’ll be considered a tax resident — and your worldwide income will be subject to Spanish tax.
We advise you on:
- The difference between tax resident and non-resident status
- Income tax, property tax, rental income, and wealth declarations
- How the Canada–Spain tax treaty protects you from double taxation
- Ways to optimize your tax position from year one
We also offer a personalized tax simulation, where we calculate what your tax liability would be as a Spanish tax resident, based on your income and assets. This helps you plan ahead and make informed decisions — without surprises later on.
We’re with you at every step
Residency, real estate, taxes — these areas are all connected, and tackling them separately often leads to costly mistakes. That’s why at Fuster & Associates, we take an integrated approach. We coordinate every legal and tax aspect of your move to Spain, so you can focus on what really matters: starting your new life.
Thinking of relocating to Spain? Get in touch with us, hola@fuster-associates.com, we’ll help you plan every step with clarity and peace of mind.
Fuster & Associates
T. 968 575650