Tel: +34 93 665 8596 |
info@spectrum-ifa.com |
By Jeremy Ferguson
This article is published on: 23rd February 2026
A well-informed opinion can be highly valuable when it comes to personal finances.
A couple of weeks ago I attended the 23rd Spectrum partners’ annual conference. It was great to meet up again with my colleagues and our product providers, all of whom work primarily with expats who have moved to various parts of Europe from the UK, mainly to Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.
We get the chance to catch up with the companies we work closely with, keeping up to date with new products and services and the latest topics in the world of investing. This is extremely valuable, as our highest priority when dealing with clients’ finances when they have retired is doing our best to ensure they make money. Many people approach me when they have arrived in Spain, asking about tax efficiency for their pensions and investments. I am always at pains to say the most important thing is first to make investment gains, without which there is no tax issue to worry about. The most tax efficient investment product is one that makes no money!
With successful investing, the first question to answer is how much risk are you prepared to take to try and make money? I assess risk on a scale of 0 to 7, essentially ranging from cash in the bank, to 100% of your money invested in the stock market. Then there is the timeline – how long can we leave this money alone to give it a chance to increase in value? Once we have considered this, we can then look at various options, with attention also given to cost. The point on cost is of course important, as an expensive product will have a detrimental effect on investment returns. I spend a great deal of time when I first meet people who are about to retire speaking about the importance of taking less risk with our money as we get older. If you have a solution which has low costs, then you can effectively take less risk to achieve the rewards you are looking for.
Listening to the investment managers at the conference, I noticed that they have similar views about what may be around the corner, but with slightly different ways of dealing with this. Some managers try to make money by investing in shares of companies when they think prices are low (an opportunity to buy in at good value), others look to companies they feel have growth potential. My view is perhaps rather cynical, as nobody knows what lies ahead, and share prices can change sometimes for irrational reasons. What I do know though is that if you invest money with a good manager, keep a sharp eye on costs and leave the money there for a good number of years, the likelihood is you will achieve sufficiently healthy returns for you to be happy and for your retirement plans to work out well.
If you would like to talk about what options are available to you as a Spanish resident, whether you have recently arrived, or even if you have been here a long time and would like an impartial review of what you already have, please feel free to get in touch.
By Jett Parker-Holland
This article is published on: 17th February 2026
Spain consistently ranks amongst the best places to live in Europe. The climate is mild, life is relaxed, and living costs, especially in Andalucía, are often lower than in much of the UK. Within a short drive, you can find mountains, beaches, vibrant cities, and quiet whitewashed pueblos.
It is no surprise that so many people, after spending decades holidaying here, decide to make it their home. However, when I speak to clients considering the move, even for those who have spent years visiting Spain, the conversation often stalls at tax.
They have sometimes heard that another country has a more attractive regime, with lower rates of income or wealth tax, or a different inheritance tax structure. The fear is that by choosing Spain, they may be sacrificing financial security for lifestyle. In practice, when we slow the conversation down and look properly at the numbers, that fear is usually misplaced. With the right planning, many clients are in a stronger financial position after moving to Spain than they were before.
Recently, I worked with a couple in their early sixties. They had adult children, a beautiful home in the British countryside and substantial pensions and cash savings. They had spent decades holidaying on the Costa del Sol and had always imagined retiring there, but they hesitated. They had read that other jurisdictions were more tax-friendly and felt they might be making an expensive mistake. Originally, they planned to keep their UK home and rent it out to generate retirement income. They also felt reliant on drawing pension income immediately to maintain their lifestyle. Thankfully, they contacted me for a consultation in which we stepped back and considered what the move would actually look like.
The timeline for our agreed plan began before they became Spanish tax residents. First, they were able to sell their UK home free of capital gains tax because it was their primary residence. Next, we withdrew the savings from their ISAs, which had served them well while they were UK residents but would not retain the same advantages once living in Spain.
Finally, we reviewed their pensions; both were able to withdraw their 25 per cent tax-free lump sums before establishing Spanish residency. The result was transformational.
The couple had sufficient free capital to purchase their dream home in Andalucía outright and make it their own. As they would be over 65 if they ever sold that Spanish home, they would be exempt from capital gains tax on its sale. We restructured their remaining cash in a Spanish-compliant investment designed to provide steady growth, avoiding the annual tax that bank interest or ISAs would trigger. Crucially, we could control how much income they drew each year, keeping their income tax exposure low while still giving them flexibility.
When we modelled their estate position, the outcome was reassuring as well. In Andalucía, children can inherit up to one million euros free of inheritance tax, with a 99 per cent reduction on amounts above that threshold. Compared with their expected UK inheritance tax exposure, their long-term position was markedly improved. In short, their finances were structured so that tax applied only where necessary and at the lowest reasonable level, while preserving full access to their wealth if they needed it. They were living where they had always wanted to live, without feeling financially penalised for doing so.
Many couples hold back from their ideal location because they fear that tax will punish them. Tax is important, but it is rarely the whole story. It is a technical problem that can usually be managed through careful asset structuring and an understanding of cross-border planning opportunities. What cannot be recreated later is time spent living in the place you truly want to be. The most effective planning happens when we look at both sides of the move. As part of our advice, we consider what should be done while still a UK resident and what should be delayed until Spanish residency begins. When handled properly, the combination of both systems can work in your favour rather than against you.
Spain offers a high standard of living, strong healthcare, cultural depth, and a climate that encourages an outdoor, social way of life. For many people, it is not just a tax decision. It is a life decision, which is why we always take the approach:
Prioritise your lifestyle, then structure your finances around it. When that order is respected, both tend to fall into place.
As a Chartered Wealth Manager based in Spain, I work with British expatriates who want clarity before making big decisions. Moving country affects your pensions, investments, tax position, and estate planning. Done casually, it can create unnecessary costs. Done properly, it can strengthen your long-term position while giving you the lifestyle you actually want.
If you are considering a move, or have already relocated and are unsure whether your arrangements are structured efficiently, I am always happy to have an initial conversation. A well-timed review can make a meaningful difference.
By Jett Parker-Holland
This article is published on: 16th February 2026
For many people who relocate to Spain, cash becomes the default position. When there are so many moving parts, “I’ll decide later” feels sensible, and in the short term, it often is. The issue is not holding cash, but holding too much of it for too long.
What tends to go unnoticed is that cash rarely keeps pace with inflation. Even when deposit rates look appealing, inflation and tax steadily reduce the real value of your money. In Spain, interest on bank deposits is taxed as savings income, at rates of up to 30 percent. Once tax is deducted and inflation is accounted for, the true return can be negligible or even negative. Five or ten years later, the same capital simply buys less. This is the silent cost of excessive caution and is particularly relevant for expatriates.
Many of the people I work with have built capital through years of disciplined saving in the UK. They may have sold a home or business, drawn a pension lump sum, or received an inheritance. The proceeds arrive in Spain and sit in a current account while life settles.
Recently, I spoke with a couple in their late fifties who had relocated to Andalucía following the sale of their UK property. After setting aside a sensible emergency reserve, they had roughly €500,000 in cash. For the first year it remained in a Spanish bank account earning modest interest. A 2% interest rate before tax wasn’t beating the 2.7% inflation we saw in 2025. When we reviewed their position, the conversation was not about chasing high returns, but creating stability, flexibility, and the reassurance that their capital would support their lifestyle and pass, in time, efficiently to their family.
We kept an appropriate cash reserve in place. The remainder was structured into a Spanish-compliant investment designed to grow steadily ahead of inflation, without triggering annual tax on internal growth.
When we modelled the expected outcomes, the difference over time was meaningful. More importantly, they felt confident that their money was finally aligned with their new life in Spain.
This is one of the most common conversations I have. Cash feels safe because it is seen as risk-free, but real safety is about making sure that your money is working for you over the long term. If you have significant savings sitting in a bank account and you are unsure whether they are working as effectively as they could be, it may be time to take a fresh look. If you have cash sitting idle and want to understand what it could be doing instead, get in touch and let’s talk through a plan that supports your aspirations in Spain.
By Chris Burke
This article is published on: 9th January 2026
Happy New Year and welcome back to the “normal” world – although I’m not entirely sure normal is the right word anymore.
If personal finances had a gym, January would be packed. Some people are here for a quick fix. Others are here to make a lasting difference – those who want their money to work properly for the long term, remain tax-efficient, well organised, and (just as importantly) keep calm along the way.
This month, I’m focusing on why anyone with savings or investments should seek professional advice when managing them – particularly here in Spain.
First of all – congratulations.
Making money is hard. You’ve done that part.
The next phase, however, is less about earning and more about not undoing your own success. This is where managing savings and investments properly really starts to matter – especially in Spain, where tax, structure and timing can quietly erode wealth if left unattended.
Here’s why smart people take wealth management seriously (and no, it’s not because they enjoy spreadsheets).
1. Because “Good Returns” Are Meaningless After Bad Taxes
A portfolio that performs well on paper can look very different after Spanish capital gains tax, wealth tax or the solidarity tax are applied.
Managing investments without considering tax efficiency is like filling a bucket with a small hole in the bottom – it works, but not for long.
Good wealth management isn’t about chasing higher returns. It’s about keeping more of the returns you already have.
2. Because Complexity Grows Faster
Than You Expect
At some point, money stops being “a portfolio” and starts becoming a system:
• different assets
• different jurisdictions
• different timelines
• sometimes different family members
Left unmanaged, complexity creates friction. Managed well, it creates flexibility. The goal isn’t simplicity – it’s clarity and tax efficiency.
3. Because Liquidity Is Underrated (Until It Isn’t)
Most financial problems aren’t investment problems – they’re liquidity problems.
Opportunities appear.
Life happens.
Markets wobble.
When everything is tied up, even good decisions become difficult ones. Smart planning ensures you can act when you want to, not only when you’re forced to.
4. Because Markets Are Emotional – and Humans Are Worse
Even experienced investors aren’t immune to poor timing, overconfidence or “just this once” decisions.
A structured, disciplined approach removes emotion from decisions that should be boring, deliberate and repeatable.
Ironically, the less exciting your financial strategy feels – supported by knowledge and research – the better it usually performs.
5. Because Wealth Should Support Your Life, Not Complicate It
Well-managed wealth should reduce stress, not add to it.
It should support your lifestyle, your family and your long-term plans – whether that’s freedom, security or simply peace of mind.
If managing your money feels like a second job, something isn’t working properly.
6. Because Spain Has Rules (Quite a Few of Them)
Spain is a wonderful place to live – and a nuanced place to manage wealth.
From wealth and succession taxes to residency and reporting obligations, the details matter. Ignoring them doesn’t make them go away; it just makes them more expensive later.
Good planning is proactive. Bad planning is retrospective.
Managing your savings and investments well isn’t about being aggressive, clever or constantly active.
It’s about being intentional.
You’ve already done the hard part by building wealth. Managing it properly is how you ensure it continues to work for you – quietly, efficiently and for a long time.
Many people only review their financial strategy after something changes: markets, regulations, residency or family circumstances. The most effective planning tends to happen before it’s needed.
If you ever feel it would be useful to sense-check your current approach, explore alternatives or simply have a thoughtful conversation about how your wealth is structured, I’m always happy to do so – discreetly and without obligation.
Sometimes clarity starts with a conversation.
You can arrange an initial consultation to explore your situation [here]. You can also [read independent reviews of my advice and service here].
By Barry Davys
This article is published on: 17th December 2025
The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa is designed for non-EU employees of multinational companies who are being temporarily transferred to a branch, subsidiary, or client in Spain. It is intended for managerial, technical, or highly specialised staff.
Obtaining your visa is a crucial step, but understanding the financial implications of your relocation is just as important.
Many ICT applicants ask whether they can access the Beckham Law and how this could affect their tax position. While the widely advertised 24% tax rate on earnings up to €600,000 per year is the most visible element, there is another significant benefit that can greatly reduce your tax bill for the entire five-year period of the regime.
At The Spectrum IFA Group, our advisers combine professional expertise with first-hand experience, having each gone through the relocation process themselves. We help clients optimise their finances and make informed decisions before and after moving to Spain.
While we specialise in financial planning, we are not immigration lawyers. For visa matters, we work closely with Klev & Vera, a respected Barcelona-based law firm led by managing partner Anna Klevtsova, who holds degrees in International Law from both the UK and Spain.
This collaboration ensures clients receive:
For full transparency: we do not accept commissions or referral fees from these lawyers. Our priority is that clients receive accurate, high-quality advice.
By Barry Davys
This article is published on: 10th December 2025
The Highly Qualified Professional Visa is designed for non-EU professionals with specialist skills who have been recruited to work in Spain, particularly in high-demand sectors such as technology, engineering, and research.
Securing your visa is a major milestone — but it’s equally important to understand how relocating to Spain will affect your finances.
Many applicants ask whether they can join the Beckham Law while on the HQP Visa, and what this could mean for their tax position. While the well-known 24% tax rate on employment income up to €600,000 is widely published, there is another significant benefit that can substantially reduce your tax bill for the entire five-year duration of the scheme.
At The Spectrum IFA Group, our advisers are both professionally qualified and personally experienced in moving to and living in Spain. We help clients understand how to structure their finances efficiently from day one.
HQP Visa not suitable? View other visa options for British nationals.
While we are experts in financial planning, we are not visa specialists. For immigration matters, we work closely with Klev & Vera, a Barcelona-based law firm led by managing partner Anna Klevtsova, who holds degrees in International Law from both the UK and Spain.
Our collaboration ensures clients receive clarity on:
For transparency: we do not receive any commission or fees from these lawyers. Our priority is that clients receive accurate, reputable advice.
You may be able to reduce your tax burden by opting to be taxed under the special non-resident tax regime (Beckham Law) if you meet the following conditions:
You may qualify for the regime under any of the following employment structures:
Each pathway has specific requirements, so professional tax advice is essential to confirm eligibility before relocating. We work with specialist tax lawyers who can assess your circumstances — and again, we do not receive any form of commission for referring clients.
By Barry Davys
This article is published on: 8th December 2025
A residence permit for non-EU remote workers and freelancers who wish to live in Spain while working for companies outside the country.
Your Visa is an important step for your move to Spain. At the same time, it is very important to have an understanding of how your finances will be affected when you move to Spain. For example, can you join the Beckham Law on the Digital Nomad Visa? What will this mean for your financial position? Whilst the 24% tax rate on earnings up to €600,000 pa is the most posted part of the rule on the internet, there is another very important benefit. This second benefit can hugely reduce your tax bill when moving to Spain and for the whole five tax years you are on the scheme,
At The Spectrum IFA Group in Spain, we are familiar with these opportunities both from our professional knowledge and our own experience of all our advisers having made the same move and who now live in Spain.
Case Study, How we helped a Spanish Tax Resident Couple after they moved to Spain
Why a financial adviser is essential for expats living in Spain
The DNV not suitable for you? See all the other available Visas for Spain for British nationals here
Whilst we are experts in our own field, we readily admit we are not experts in Visas. We, therefore, work with Visa lawyers at Klev & Vera, based in Barcelona. The firm is led by managing partner Anna Klevtsova with whom we have worked with for a number of years. Anna has a degree in International Law from the UK and a Masters degree in International Law in Spain.
The result has been clarity for clients moving to Spain on what type of visa is right for them, help with applying for the visa and availability to deal with ongoing matters such as the Spanish state pension.
By Barry Davys
This article is published on: 2nd December 2025
A long-term residence permit for non-EU citizens who wish to live in Spain without working.
Popular with retirees and financially independent individuals seeking a new lifestyle in Spain.
Also needed is an understanding of how your finances will be affected when you move to Spain. At The Spectrum IFA Group in Spain, we are familiar with these changes both from our professional knowledge and our own experience of all our advisers having made the same move and who now live in Spain.
The Spectrum IFA Group in Spain assists individuals, employees and families moving to Spain with all financial aspects of their move. It starts with what actions are beneficial to take before you come to Spain and what needs to wait until you are resident in Spain. From the vital planning, how to save when in Spain, how to manage your tax on your savings, pensions in Spain and even, how to best manage currency transfers from the UK to Spain.
By Barry Davys
This article is published on: 24th November 2025
What you need to know
On 26th November 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ms. Rachel Reeves, will present the Autumn Budget to the House of Commons. While some minor changes, like an increase in taxes on spirits, might take effect immediately; most changes won’t be implemented until later.
Despite this, the media will extensively cover the Chancellor’s statement on the day, often without clarifying that the proposed changes won’t take effect right away. You’ll likely see numerous articles, podcasts, webinars, and briefings discussing the Budget, based on the announcements made in Parliament. However, it’s important to be cautious before acting on these updates.
The UK Parliamentary Commons Library defines the Budget as follows:
“The Budget is a statement made by the Chancellor to MPs in the House of Commons, presenting the government’s plans for the economy, including changes to taxation and spending.”
This is key because the Budget is just a statement of intent – not a law yet. Before any proposed changes become law, they go through several stages:
This process means that the initial announcements made in the Budget are still subject to change before they are finalized.
If the Budget includes a tax rise on whisky or similar immediate changes, it’s fine to take action before the increase goes into effect. However, for more complex changes (like pension reforms, stamp duty adjustments, income tax rates, and changes to ISAs), it’s wise to wait until the Finance Bill 2025 becomes law.
It’s important to remember that the Budget announcements are only the starting point. During the parliamentary readings of the Bill, amendments can be made—sometimes significant ones. In fact, in 2025, the media suggests there could be notable opposition from even the government’s own MPs, meaning the final law may differ substantially from the initial Budget statement.
Making financial decisions based on the Budget before the Bill is passed into law could lead to costly mistakes that impact your finances for years to come.
To avoid acting on speculation, it’s best to let the media buzz die down after the Budget. The real, final changes will become clear in the Finance Act 2025, at which point you can make decisions based on confirmed facts.
If you’re living in or moving to Spain, and want advice on how the 2025 UK Budget might impact your finances, feel free to book a consultation at a time that works for you using our online booking system.”
By Jeremy Ferguson
This article is published on: 22nd November 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming everyday life, but its impact on retired people is often overlooked. If you are still at school and looking towards a career, then the landscape will be changing forever, with many jobs disappearing.
Just as the Industrial revolution replaced the body in the workforce, AI looks like it will be replacing the mind in much of the workforce. It is actually quite a scary thought. However, for those no longer in the workforce, AI is not a threat, quite the opposite, it will be a valuable tool.
AI-powered assistants will have a huge influence in the world of medical research, analysing huge amounts of data in no time at all, helping advance research and the resultant remedies. As a result of all of this, life expectancy and quality of life will both improve.
AI-supported health tools can help monitor vital signs, remind users about medications, and assist with telehealth visits. These innovations will help support independent living by helping retirees manage health concerns and issues more easily and proactively.
With AI, lifelong learning becomes more accessible than ever. Retirees can explore history, languages, technology, creative writing, or any area of curiosity. AI tutors adjust to individual learning styles and answer questions in plain language—without pressure, deadlines, or classrooms. I know a number of people who have subscribed to an AI language school, talking and practising Spanish with a ‘virtual’ person for 15 minutes each day. This can be done whenever suits them, and from the comfort of their own home, rather than being tied to a certain class time each week.
AI tools make it possible to create artwork, write stories, restore old photos, or design family history projects—regardless of technical skill. Many retirees use AI to capture memories, organize family archives, or create meaningful keepsakes for loved ones. Rather than replacing creativity, AI enhances it.
It can also help retirees stay in touch with family and friends by simplifying video calls, drafting messages, translating languages, and explaining new apps. This support can help reduce the feeling of being left behind in a fast-moving digital world.
AI is possibly redefining retirement as a stage filled with new opportunities—for learning, connection, creativity, and independence. For those willing to embrace it, AI offers a more empowered and engaging future.
As with any change, embracing it rather than avoiding it can often be the best way forward.
Living longer and being more active in retirement will mean the pensions and investments we have will need to last longer, so ongoing regular reviews and careful management will become ever more important. This is becoming an ever increasing part of my relationship with clients and if this is something you feel I can help you with, please feel free to get in touch.
