The Certificate of Life
for Spanish Expats.
Life for those living abroad as ex-patriots comes with it’s own set of challenges and adventures. One such challenge for Spanish Pensioners is the need to annually obtain a Certificate of Life or Life Certificate.
- Have you returned to the UK as an Expat, having lived in Spain to find your Spanish Pension has been suspended, stopped, or put on hold?
- Have you received official correspondence asking for proof of life?
- Don’t know where to start?
Read on and we’ll break it down for you.
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What is a Certificate of Life?
A Certificate of Life (FE DE VIDA) can also be known as a Life Certificate, Proof of Life Certificate, Proof of Existence, Letter of Existence and Proof of Life. The document simply confirms to the Spanish authorities that you are still alive and that the Spanish pension will still be being paid to you.
When do I need a Certificate of Life?
No matter where in the UK you live, every year you must obtain a Certificate of Life during the first quarter (January – April) of every year if you want your pension payments to continue. If you do not provide the certificate in time, the Spanish pension office will stop payments into your account, until you do provide them with the necessary documents.
How do I get one?
In the UK if your Spanish pension is suspended, stopped or put on hold it’s not made clear how best to obtain a Certificate of Life, though at Spanish Legal Matters, we can assist. We can draft the document to your needs, ready for signing, before being sent to the appropriate Spanish pension office.
Get in touch today and get your certificate of life document within 3 working days!
The Consulate General of Spain for the nation you reside in
If you cannot present yourself to a Consulate General of Spain because there isn’t one in your country or you cannot travel to one due to medical reasons, then the Notarial Certificate of Life is your best option. There is a form that can be downloaded and completed, then signed and stamped by your local Town Hall officials or a local authority such as the police. This must then be sent to the correct Social Security Office in Spain along with a copy of your ID or Passport.
Notarial Certificate
If you cannot present yourself to a Consulate General of Spain because there isn’t one in your country or you cannot travel to one due to medical reasons, then the Notarial Certificate of Life is your best option. There is a form that can be download and completed, then signed and stamped by your local Town Hall officials or a local authority such as the police. This must then be sent to correct Social Security Office in Spain along with a copy of your ID or Passport.
Notarial Certificate
In some countries you can obtain a proof of Life Certificate through a Public Notary. It will usually need to be accompanied by the Apostille of the Hague and you will have to send it to the correct Social Security Office.
What happens if I don’t provide it in time?
If for any reason you don’t provide your Fe de Vida within the first quarter of the year, your pension will be put on hold until the Life Certificate is received. They will back pay your pension for a maximum time of 90 days if it is put on hold, so if you wait four months to do it, you’ll miss out on a month of your pension.
Need help with your proof of life certificate? Contact our experts today to see how we can help you navigate through the process and keep your pension coming in!
Apply from your country of residence
Spanish wealth tax is a direct tax levied on the wealthy with the intention of reducing wealth inequality. The theory holds that your tax burden will increase in direct proportion to the value of your assets. The wealth tax in Spain is between 0.2% and 2.5%. This tax is distinct from Spain’s income and capital gains taxes. If the value of your total assets exceeds €1,000,000, you may be subject to wealth tax. For Spanish citizens, the tax is due on all of their worldwide holdings. The tax is only due for non-residents on Spanish assets. Read on to find out more.
This guide will help you to understand and guide you through the Spanish Succession Tax rules.
Who Pays, Exemptions, and International Context
Who Should Pay The Spanish Wealth Tax?
If your total estate and assets exceed a specific amount, you must file a wealth tax declaration in Spain. Shares, insurance, bank accounts, and real estate are all under the wealth tax umbrella. The maximum value is €700,000. However, the autonomous regions may increase or decrease these limits:
- Costa Blanca and the Valencian Region: €500,000
- Costa del Sol was included in Andalusia, which has been eliminated, but there is still a solidarity tax.
- Balearic Islands: General legislation is in effect, and after €700,000, tax is due.
- You must also file a declaration if the tax obligation is negative, but you have assets worth more than €2,000,000 instead.
Should I Still declare if I don’t Pay Taxes in Spain?
Yes, but just for the Spanish-based assets, because they are located, can be exercised, or must be fulfilled on Spanish soil. Non-resident taxpayers will be able to use their own regulations that have been approved by the Autonomous Community where the assets and rights they own and for which the tax is required have the greatest value.
Can Debt or Expense be Deducted?
Mortgage debt is an example of a debt that could be deducted. The habitual residence’s value may be deducted up to a maximum of €300,000. Also, a company’s shares are exempt if:
- Over 5% of the company is owned by the owner (20% family group).
- The business is operational.
- You must be employed by the organisation and have managerial responsibilities.
Which Nations Impose Wealth Tax?
Along with Spain, Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein also require the declaration of this tax. Only 1.5 million Krone, or 150,000 euros, in Norway, are subject to this tax, and the applicable proportion is 0.85%.
On the other side, certain nations, including Sweden, Luxembourg, Denmark, Germany, and Austria, as well as more recently France, have done away with the wealth tax.
Contact Spanish Legal Matters on +44 (0) 20 3985 9556.