Estate planning for UK nationals in Spain…
Estate planning is one of those tasks that is easy to keep putting off, but do not risk leaving it too late. If you do, your estate may not be distributed as you wish, and your heirs could end up paying more tax than they need have.
British expatriates living in Spain need to be aware of, and plan for, a number
of inheritance issues.
Your last will and testament
If you live in Spain, it is advisable to make a Spanish will to deal with your Spanish assets. It is much easier to wind up an estate using a local will, rather than one established in another country.
A UK will may be effective in Spain, but a major disadvantage is that it will have to go through the UK probate process. This will inevitably create long delays and high costs, as well as having to be notarised and translated before being accepted in Spain.
In any case, you may wish to update your will to make the election for UK succession law to apply to your estate when you die, under the EU succession regulation.
If you still have assets in the UK, then you can have two wills, one for each country. Be aware that it is the practice in the UK to include a provision to automatically revoke all earlier wills. If you make a Spanish will, and subsequently change your UK one, make sure your solicitor does not inadvertently revoke the Spanish one.
Spanish succession law
In the UK you are generally free to distribute your estate as you wish (Scotland does have some restrictions). In Spain, however, Spanish succession law imposes ‘forced heirship’ rules. In general terms, children are entitled to receive two thirds of an estate’s assets, so under Spanish law you cannot, for example, leave everything to your spouse. This Spanish succession law will apply to foreign nationals living in Spain by default.
You can however use the European Succession Regulation, ‘Brussels IV’, to opt for the succession law of your country of nationality to apply on your death instead. But you must specifically state this in your will, otherwise distribution of your estate will follow the law of your country of residence.
Brussels IV applies to all foreign nationals living in an EU country, it is not restricted to EU citizens, so Brexit has not changed anything here.
Note that Brussels IV only relates to succession law. You cannot use it to opt for UK inheritance tax instead of Spanish succession tax on death.
Spanish succession and gift tax
Inheritance tax in Spain works very differently to UK inheritance tax. Tax is paid by each recipient, not the estate, and tax rate varies depending on the relationship between the person passing the money and the person receiving the money. There is no blanket spouse to spouse exemption.
Spanish succession and gift tax is due if the asset being inherited or gifted is located in Spain (regardless of where the recipient lives), or if the recipient is resident in Spain (regardless of where the assets are located).
The state tax rates start at 7.65% and rise to 34%. Multipliers based on the familial relationship and beneficiary’s net worth can take tax rates much higher.
There are some reductions and allowances but at state level they are low. Spouses, descendants and ascendants only receive a reduction of €15,957; it is lower (or nil) for everyone else. Also, there is a 95% reduction against the inherited value of the main home, but only for spouses or descendants who keep the property for at least 10 years. This deduction is capped at €122,606 per inheritor.
However, the autonomous communities can adjust the tax rates, allowances and reductions to make them more beneficial for residents in the different Spanish regions. In Southern Spain, for example, the local Andalucía succession tax regime has been reformed over the last couple of years to make it one of the most attractive regions in Spain for succession tax planning. Murcia is also attractive with its 99% relief for group I and II beneficiaries and Comunidad Valenciana provides 75% relief for group I and 50% for group II.
UK inheritance tax
Many British expatriates remain liable to UK inheritance tax since it is based on domicile rather than residence. This means your estate could be liable to both UK and Spanish inheritance taxes, but a credit is given in Spain for the tax paid in the UK to avoid double taxation.
Estate planning for UK nationals in Spain
The first step is to establish your estate planning goals:
- Who would you like to benefit from your estate?
- Do you want to control how and when they receive their inheritance?
- How quickly would they need to access the money?
- What can you do to make the inheritance process as easy and cost-effective as possible for them?
Then seek specialist cross-border estate planning advice on how you can achieve your wishes for your heirs, at the same time as keeping inheritance taxes as low as possible. Depending on your family situation, estate planning for Spain and the UK can get rather complex, but with careful planning and specialist advice from Blevins Franks you can get peace of mind that you have the most suitable approach in place, for yourself today and your family in future.
All advice received from Blevins Franks is personalised and provided in writing. This article, however, should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation or investment advice.
Blevins Franks Wealth Management Limited (BFWML) is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority, registered number C 92917. Authorised to conduct investment services under the Investment Services Act and authorised to carry out insurance intermediary activities under the Insurance Distribution Act. Where advice is provided outside of Malta via the Insurance Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II, the applicable regulatory system differs in some respects from that of Malta. BFWML also provides taxation advice; its tax advisers are fully qualified tax specialists. Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of trusts, retirement schemes and companies. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFWML.
You can find other financial advisory articles by visiting Belvins Franks website here
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