Spain’s proposed 100% tax on non-EU property buyers: what it says, and where it stands

If you are a British, American, Swiss or Norwegian buyer eyeing a place on the Spanish coast, you have probably seen the headline: “Spain to tax non-EU buyers up to 100%.” It is real, it is on paper, and it is — as of early 2026 — stalled. Here is the calm, sourced version, with no scaremongering and no sales angle. This is informational analysis, not legal or tax advice.

What the bill actually proposes

In May 2025 the Spanish governing party (PSOE) registered a draft bill in Congress (parliamentary reference BOCG-15-B-229-1, 22 May 2025). The headline measure is a state levy of up to 100% on the purchase, aimed specifically at non-residents who are nationals of non-EU / non-EEA countries, buying second-hand (resale) homes. New-build property appears to be excluded as drafted, and the “100%” is structured as a surcharge tied to the taxable base.

Who would be affected

The decisive line is non-EU. After Brexit, UK nationals are non-EU — and the UK is consistently the largest foreign buyer group on the Spanish coast (~8,000 purchases in 2024, Colegio de Registradores). US, Swiss and Norwegian buyers would also fall inside the scope. EU buyers — Germans, Dutch, Belgians, French — would not.

Where it actually stands (as of March 2026)

A year after it was announced, the bill had still not been debated. Reuters reported on 27 March 2026 that the plan “has stalled due to difficulties in gaining the needed support from political minorities.” With a general election due by August 2027, there is a real chance the proposal dies with the legislature before ever being voted on. That is a “watch this space,” not a “panic now.”

How LORS treats this

We track this monthly and say plainly when the status changes. We don’t sell property and take no commission from anyone, so we have no incentive to inflate or downplay it. Honest summary today: a live political risk that is currently going nowhere.

Editorial information with cited sources, current as of March 2026. Not legal, tax, financial or investment advice. Always consult a licensed Spanish lawyer (abogado) and an independent tax advisor before any purchase. Sources: Congreso de los Diputados (BOCG-15-B-229-1); Reuters, 27 March 2026; Colegio de Registradores, 2024.