Business Owner in UK - Moving to Spain

Hi everyone! I know this thread is a few years old, but since I’m still pretty new to this forum, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned. Hopefully, this updated information can help anyone else in a similar situation this year.

If you’re planning to move to Spain while keeping your UK businesses, one of the first things to look into is tax residency. Spending more than 183 days a year in Spain can make you a Spanish tax resident, although other factors can also matter. This generally means declaring your worldwide income in Spain, including dividends from your UK companies.

You’ll also want to check how the move could affect the businesses themselves. Even if they’re registered in the UK, where the companies are actually managed can have tax implications. The UK-Spain tax treaty has rules covering things like company residence, dividends and double taxation, but how these apply will depend on your particular setup.

Something else to keep in mind is that there may be other things to sort out beyond taxes, especially if you’ll be running day-to-day operations or managing employees from Spain. I’d recommend look into a law firm who understands both the UK and Spanish systems and can help you figure out what applies to your particular situation. There's one in Barcelona called suarez de vivero that help businesses navigate these kinds of things. Either way, I’d recommend looking into firms that advise businesses on these matters, as well as finding a tax adviser who understands both the UK and Spanish systems.

Before you move, though, I’d make sure to get advice on how your companies will be managed from Spain, how you’ll pay yourself, and what you may need to declare in each country. Getting these things sorted beforehand can save you a lot of headaches later on.

Hope this helps anyone else looking into a similar move!