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Complete Guide to Spanish Inheritance Law for Non-Residents: Taxes, Wills, and 2026 Updates

Complete Guide to Spanish Inheritance Law for Non-Residents: Taxes, Wills, and 2026 Updates

Understanding Spanish inheritance law as a non-resident can be confusing. In this practical 2026 guide, we explain which law applies to your estate, how inheritance tax really works across Spanish regions, recent court rulings, and why proper estate planning makes all the difference for international families.

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New techniques for recording parcel boundaries

New techniques for recording parcel boundaries

Thanks to modern surveying techniques and georeferenced coordinates, parcel boundaries can now be recorded with far greater accuracy. This reduces errors in both the Cadastre and the Property Register and simplifies the correction of surface discrepancies, making property transactions more reliable and minimizing the risk of neighbor disputes.

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How to manage an international inheritance in Spain: The essential guide for foreign heirs

How to manage an international inheritance in Spain: The essential guide for foreign heirs

Managing an international inheritance in Spain can feel overwhelming for foreign heirs, strict tax deadlines, complex documentation, and frozen bank accounts often delay the process. This guide explains the essential steps to claim property, bank accounts, and other assets in Spain from abroad, the most common mistakes to avoid, and why specialised legal representation can make the entire procedure clear, compliant, and stress-free.

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The 7 real challenges non-resident property owners face in Spain and how to survive them without losing your sanity

The 7 real challenges non-resident property owners face in Spain and how to survive them without losing your sanity

Being a non-resident property owner in Spain can feel like an adventure… or a constant source of stress. Between taxes, unexpected notices, noisy neighbors and procedures that never seem to end, managing a home from abroad becomes a real challenge. Still, everything changes with the right support. Discover the key obstacles and how Austen & Partners can become your reliable legal and tax ally, safeguarding your peace of mind wherever you live.

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Sanctions against illegal tourist rentals

Sanctions against illegal tourist rentals

In late 2024, Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights and Consumer Affairs sanctioned Airbnb for failing to remove thousands of unlicensed tourist rentals. After the Madrid Supreme Court upheld the government’s actions in 2025, Airbnb was ordered to delete nearly 66,000 illegal listings. The Ministry’s campaign revealed over 15,000 unlicensed apartments in Madrid and urged stronger local enforcement, citing Barcelona’s success in shutting down illegal rentals. Despite these measures, legal action alone appears insufficient to tackle the housing crisis.

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The will “exclusively for property in Spain”

The will “exclusively for property in Spain”

The “Property in Spain Will” has long been debated in legal circles, especially for non-residents who own real estate in Spain. With the EU Succession Regulation, recent rulings of the European Court of Justice, and guidance from Spanish notaries, its validity and practical usefulness are increasingly recognized. This legal instrument can simplify inheritance procedures, reduce costs, and provide clarity for heirs when dealing with assets located in Spain.

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Touristic rental in Spain

Touristic rental in Spain

Nowadays it seems increasingly difficult to achieve the potential for touristic rental. If you’re thinking about investing in real estate in Spain to make a fortune from rental payments by tourists, don’t do so without consulting specialists on the subject. Ideally you’d find someone who not only has knowledge of the real estate market but […]

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Applying for an NIE Number in Spain: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for an NIE Number in Spain: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for a Spanish NIE number is essential if you plan to buy property, work, open a bank account, or start a business in Spain. This step-by-step guide explains what an NIE is, why you need it, and how to apply in Spain, via a consulate, or through a third party.

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Inheritance Tax in Spain: How to Inherit Without Paying Tax

Inheritance Tax in Spain: How to Inherit Without Paying Tax

Inheritance tax in Spain doesn’t always mean a big bill. Thanks to generous regional exemptions, spouses and children can often inherit tax-free, or with significant reductions. Discover how the rules work, the main regional differences, and practical tips to avoid paying more than necessary.

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