Can I move to Spain after Brexit?

Moving to Spain after Brexit

So you’ve made the decision to move from the UK to Spain and you are looking at moving your furniture, what paperwork do you need and what taxes apply to your items when they are being imported from a non-EU country?

At Expats Removals, we’ve been importing personal effects from non-EU countries since 2018 and from the implementation of Brexit.  Do not worry. Expat Removals will manage the entire import process for you within the price we quote.

If you are EU citizen emigrating to Spain to take up permanent residence, the law allows you to import house furnishings, household goods and other personal possessions without paying customs duty or VAT. However, since Brexit the UK is outside of the free market and therefore the UK is now classed as a 3rd Country. The tax exemptions will only come into effect if we can show that the items we are importing into Spain had been in use for at least 6 months before the time of your relocation. Note that new items owned by you for under 6 months are subject to customs duty and VAT.

If you are moving personal effects to a 2nd home, for example a holiday home and that you do not have settled residency in Spain, then customs duty and VAT is applicable at 21% of the value of the goods and the shipping charges.

The Spanish law also stipulates that the goods that you are shipping should arrive in Spain’s ports within three months of your arrival date to the country. However, if there are delays, we can apply for a three-month extension. 

What is required for import without taxes?

To apply for a tax exemption, we will need to provide customs with the following documents:

• An inventory listing the goods you want exempted. This inventory should be written in English and Spanish and it should be in duplicate. The inventory that you provide should also include the approximate value for used/2nd hand goods.

• A statement declaring that you have owned the items listed in the inventory for at least 6 months

• A genuine legal copy of your Spanish work permit or residency permit, such as the visa or TIE.

• A copy of the escrituria or house rental contract, showing when you took possession of the new home.

• A Padron from the local town hall dated within the last 12 months.

• Proof of your UK residency, such as utility invoices, council tax invoices, HMRC documents showing taxes paid (P60) and a (P85)

The import application process should be started prior to the move to Spain, at least 12 days before the moving date so that we can submit the customs declarations and request customs for the import tax exemption. If any taxes have to be paid, this is done before the items leave the UK and into EU. On arrival at the land or sea border, we are then issued with a levante (exit/cleared) document which we will issue to you for your records. 

To learn more about the Customs regulations in Spain, you can visit the nearest Spanish Consulate or the Direccion General de Aduanas. More information on matters pertaining to taxation can also be found at the website of the Nation’s tax agency – Agencia Tributaria. 

To get a price for your Relocation to Spain and further help or advise with the customs duty of moving to Spain, contact Andy at Expats Removals. We have many years’ experience in moving people from the UK to Spain  

Contact Andy on 0034624031461 or Email hello@expatsremovals.com 

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