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.

Key Requirements

• Employment with a UK company that has operations or clients in Spain, with at least three months of prior employment before the transfer.
• Private health insurance valid in Spain.
• Applications can be submitted either:
  • Online in Spain by the Spanish branch or client (approx. 20 working days), or
  • Via the Spanish Consulate in the UK if applying from abroad.
• Visa valid for the duration of the transfer, up to three years, and renewable.
• Eligibility for the Beckham Law reduced tax regime.
• Covered under the

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.

Additional Resources

• Case Study: Case Study, How we helped a Spanish Tax Resident couple after their move to Spain
  
• Why a financial adviser is essential for expats in Spain
• Moving within 12 months? Book a call online at a time that suits you.
• HQP Visa not suitable? View other visa options for British nationals.

Working With Trusted Visa Specialists

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:

• Clear guidance on the most suitable visa type
• Professional support throughout the application process
• Ongoing assistance with matters such as Spanish state pension queries

For full transparency: we do not accept commissions or referral fees from these lawyers. Our priority is that clients receive accurate, high-quality advice.

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.

Key Requirements

• A job offer from a Spanish company approved for “highly qualified” roles, along with suitable qualifications or professional experience.
• Minimum annual salary of €40,100 to demonstrate highly qualified status.
• Visa validity of up to three years, renewable for an additional two years.
• Eligibility to apply for the Beckham Law reduced tax regime.
• Applications can be submitted online in Spain by the employer (with fast-track processing, often within 20 working days) or via the Spanish Consulate in the UK if applying from abroad.

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.

Additional Resources

• Case Study: Case Study, How we helped a Spanish Tax Resident couple after their move to Spain
• Why a financial adviser is essential for expats in Spain
  
• Moving within 12 months? Book a call online at a time that suits you.

HQP Visa not suitable? View other visa options for British nationals.

The Beckham Law – Key Rules

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:

1. You have not been a tax resident in Spain in the last five years.
2. You apply for the new Beckham regime within six months of arrival.
3. You become resident in Spain (typically by spending 183+ days per year in the country).
4. The reduced rate applies for the year of arrival plus five full tax years.
5. The first €600,000 of employment income is taxed at 24%.

Employment Criteria for the Beckham Law

You may qualify for the regime under any of the following employment structures:

• New employment in Spain with an entity registered with the Spanish Tax Agency
• Transfer to a Spanish entity while maintaining an existing employment contract
• Remote work from Spain for a foreign employer
• Appointment as a director of a Spanish entity
• Self-employment (“autónomo”) in an entrepreneurial activity
• Highly qualified self-employment providing services to startups
• Self-employment in training, research, development, or innovation activities

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.

A residence permit for non-EU remote workers and freelancers who wish to live in Spain while working for companies outside the country.

The eligibility for the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain includes:

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.

Moving to 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

Moving within 12 months and what find out more, book your call online at a time that is convenient for you.

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.

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.

Who could benefit from the Non Lucrative Visa (NLV) in Spain?

• Ideal for retirees, early retirees, or financially independent individuals.
• Proof of sufficient financial means ( income around €30,000/year for the main applicant and €8,000 per dependent).
• Requires a private health insurance contracted in Spain.
• Remote working, self employment or continuing to work for your UK employer are all NOT allowed with the NLV
• How to apply for an NLV. Application is submitted in person at the Spanish Consulate in the applicant’s home country (not available from within Spain).
• Processing time of up to two months; visa valid for one year and renewable for two-year periods.
• Eligibility for permanent residency after five years in Spain and Spanish nationality after ten years.

Your Visa is step 1 of your move to 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.

Moving to 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

Moving within 12 months and what find out more? Book your call online at a time that is convenient for you.

The NLV not suitable for you? See all the other available Visas for Spain for British nationals here

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.

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.

Understanding the Budget Process

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:

1. Debates in the House of Commons (over four days).
2. Debates in the House of Lords.
3. The Finance Bill 2025 is then presented to Parliament.
4. If Parliament votes in favor, the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament and the changes become law.

This process means that the initial announcements made in the Budget are still subject to change before they are finalized.

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.

What next should you do?

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.”

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.

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.

After months of relentless optimism, AI-linked stocks are taking a sharp hit. The same names that drove markets higher — NVIDIA, Palantir and other AI heavyweights — are now leading the decline.

Here’s what’s happening and what it tells us about the broader market.

The Story Behind the Sell-Off

Valuation Reality Check
Many AI companies are priced for perfection. Investors are questioning whether earnings can truly justify those sky-high expectations.

Even Palantir, which beat forecasts, dropped nearly 8% after results.

Profit-Taking After a Huge Run-Up
The AI trade has been red-hot all year. Some investors are locking in gains and rotating to safer ground — not necessarily abandoning the theme, but taking a breather.

Market Concentration Risk
Tech and AI stocks now make up roughly one-third of the S&P 500. When this sector sneezes, the entire market catches a cold.

Caution from Big Players
Analysts from Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have warned that equities could face a 10–20% pullback — and short sellers like Michael Burry are reportedly betting against the AI trade.

The Takeaway
This isn’t an “AI crash.” It’s a re-rating of expectations.
The key question for investors and industry leaders now:
Are we investing in sustainable innovation — or chasing momentum?

What to Watch Next

• Earnings guidance from major AI players
• Capex trends in cloud and data infrastructure
• Market rotation signals into other sectors
• Interest rate updates and macro data

My view: This pullback is healthy. The market is reminding us that even transformational technologies need time, discipline, and fundamentals to catch up with the hype.

I’m here to help you get organised and take those financial worries away.

If you’d like to discuss any of these topics in more detail or arrange an initial consultation to explore your situation, you can do so here.

You can also read independent reviews of my advice and service here.

I often hear from people who are used to tax-efficient savings and investments in their home country (for example, UK ISAs) and want to find the same here in Spain. Immediately, I explain two key things:

• Unless you qualify for a specialist tax regime such as The Beckham Law, you will generally pay more tax living in Catalonia (and Spain in general) — we pay to live here (and most would agree it’s worth it!).
• It’s not easy to get the right advice when it comes to setting yourself up tax-efficiently in Spain — covering everyday income taxes, deferring and mitigating savings/investment tax, and avoiding common pitfalls that can lead to problems with the Spanish tax authorities.

When arranging your finances, there are three professionals you should have on your side — and in this order:

1. Tax Adviser / Lawyer
They’ll explain, implement, and advise on the best way to set yourself up from a tax perspective in Spain. This is your starting point. Once you’re resident, the “tax clock” starts ticking — so it’s crucial to get it right from the outset.
2. Accountant (Gestor)
They ensure you declare what you should, claim what you can, and stay compliant with Spanish tax obligations. Remember: in Spain, you’re often considered “guilty until proven innocent” — bank accounts can be frozen or assets seized until you legally prove otherwise, which can take years.
3. Financial Adviser
A good financial adviser will first make sure the above two areas are in order. Then, they’ll take the time to understand your situation, your questions and priorities, and build a tax-efficient investment strategy that matches your goals and comfort with risk. They’ll also ensure you’re administratively organised — for example, having the right Will.

Tax-Efficient Investing in Spain

If you’re resident (or becoming resident) in Spain, here are some key points and strategies to be aware of:
1. Taxation for Residents
If you are tax resident in Spain (over 183 days here, or your “centre of interests” is in Spain), you’re taxed on your worldwide income and gains.

• Investment income (dividends, interest, and capital gains) falls under the savings tax scale:

• 19% up to €6,000
• 21% from €6,000–€50,000
• 23% from €50,000–€200,000
• 26–28% above that

• Wealth tax (patrimonio) applies in many regions — some exempt it, but Catalonia it is not.
• Tax-free wrappers from abroad (like UK ISAs) are not recognised as tax-free in Spain.
• Non-compliant investments can lead to worse tax treatment and extra reporting (e.g., Modelo 720).

2. Key Tax-Efficient Investment Structures

Spanish-Compliant Investment Bond (SCIB)
A life-assurance based investment bond recognised by Spanish authorities.

Benefits include:

• Growth inside the policy rolls up tax-free (no annual taxation).
• Withdrawals are taxed only on the gain portion, not the full amount.
• May reduce reporting obligations (like Modelo 720).
• Can assist with inheritance planning.

Important: Ensure it’s a Spanish-compliant product — otherwise, you lose these benefits. While it offers tax deferral, you’ll still pay savings income tax when you withdraw gains (unlike a UK ISA).

Holding Company / ETVE Regime
For those with corporate structures, the Entidad de Tenencia de Valores Extranjeros regime can be highly tax-efficient.

• Dividends and gains from foreign subsidiaries may be 95% exempt from corporate tax.
• Dividends to non-residents can often be distributed tax-free. This is generally for higher-net-worth individuals or corporate setups.

I am here to help you get organised and take those financial worries away. If you would like to discuss any of the above topics in more detail, or you would like to have an initial consultation to explore your personal situation, you can do so here.

Click here to read independent reviews on Chris and his advice.

Especially when it comes to retirement.

I was really interested to read an article recently published in the UK press about regrets many pensioners have when they do eventually retire.

The number one regret was not saving enough early on in their lives, with many retirees wishing they had started saving into their pensions earlier, or having increased the amount they paid into their pensions when their incomes were higher later on in their careers.

The importance of actively managing pension arrangements was again largely under estimated, with many retirees wishing they’d made clearer plans earlier. For example, when to retire, where they may be retiring and what sort of lifestyle they wanted. As these ‘wants’ changed during their younger years leading up to retirement, many people simply didn’t adjust their pensions accordingly.

Inevitably this is easier said than done, making it one of the most difficult decisions to get right, because of course it’s almost impossible. Some retirees feel they were too cautious with their money in their younger years, with others maybe enjoying life a tiny bit too much and then finding out they either couldn’t enjoy retirement fully because they hadn’t contributed enough, or conversely finding out their pension income far exceeded their needs in retirement.

Needless to say that if you are reading this and you have already retired, then these observations may all be a little too late. However, many people I meet after they have moved to Spain have retired quite early in life and are not yet drawing on their pensions. In these cases, there is still a lot you can do, particularly by way of managing these pension funds as effectively as possible. Ie Maybe the charges can be reduced or the investment strategy can be improved? Also, what about the tax position when you do start to draw down – understanding this and making sure it’s as tax efficient as possible can make a big difference.

If this is you, then please feel free to get in touch so we can take a good look at your current situation and if relevant consider the available options as to how best to manage things going forward.

Moving to Spain gives you more than just a better lifestyle — it offers a fresh perspective on what really matters.

For many expats, that means not only enjoying their wealth today, but ensuring it’s passed on efficiently to loved ones tomorrow.

But here’s the catch: Spain’s inheritance and gift tax system works very differently from what most expats are used to in their home countries. And without the right planning, your family could end up facing an unnecessary and unexpected tax bill.

The amount payable depends on:

• The relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary (spouses and children generally receive the biggest allowances)
• The value of the inheritance
• The region of Spain you live in — because each autonomous community (like Valencia or Madrid) sets its own allowances and reductions

For example, Madrid currently offers one of the most generous regional allowances, with reductions of up to 99% for close family members. Valencia, on the other hand, provides smaller deductions — which can make a significant difference to your family’s eventual tax exposure.

Structuring Your Investments Can Make a Big Difference

The way you hold your assets determines how smoothly — and efficiently — they can be passed on. Investments in a Spanish tax-compliant bond can offer a number of key advantages when planning for succession:

• You retain full control of your investment during your lifetime
• You can name multiple beneficiaries, who inherit directly without the need for probate delays
• The bond’s structure allows for efficient transfer of value — avoiding the administrative complexity that often comes with overseas holdings
• Beneficiaries may receive significant tax advantages, depending on your region of residence

In short, compliant structures help your heirs inherit assets that are clean, locally compliant and immediately accessible, without triggering unnecessary tax consequences.