Money & Law
Taxes, Banks & Lawyers
Finances and law in Spain: opening a bank account, filing a tax return, understanding double taxation and finding the right tax advisor or lawyer. Everything you need to know as a resident.
Articles
15
Avg. reading time
12 min
Updated
March 2026
Finances and Law for Newcomers on Mallorca
Money and law are among the most complex topics for newcomers on Mallorca. From a Spanish bank account to the tax return to the double taxation agreement - the financial and legal rules in Spain differ considerably from those in Germany. As a resident you are liable for tax in Spain and must deal with the Modelo 720, wealth tax and the annual Renta.
In our guides we explain the most important finance and legal topics clearly and in plain language. You will learn how to open a Spanish bank account, which tax advisors on Mallorca specialise in German-speaking clients and what to watch out for with your tax return. We also show you how to find the right lawyer, which legal forms exist for property ownership and how the double taxation agreement between Germany and Spain works. So that you keep a clear view of finances and law on Mallorca.
The most important guides
Finding a Lawyer in Mallorca - What You Should Look Out For
How to find a German-speaking lawyer in Mallorca, when you need one, and what Spanish legal practice means for you as a German national.
10 minOpening a Bank Account in Spain - Step-by-Step Guide
How to open a bank account in Spain: an overview of Spanish banks, online banks and the steps involved, with the exact requirements you need to meet.
8 minETV Licence on Mallorca: How the Balearic Islands Are Tackling Illegal Holiday Rentals
How the Consell de Mallorca uses AI-powered tools to detect illegal holiday rentals, what fines you face, and how to rent your finca or apartment to tourists legally.
13 minExit Taxes and Asset Reporting Before Moving to Mallorca
Before you become a Spanish tax resident, your home country may want its share of unrealised capital gains. This guide covers exit tax rules for the UK, Canada, Australia, the US, and Ireland, plus pre-move planning steps to avoid expensive surprises.
14 minTransferring Money - Wise, Revolut and More Compared
Comparison of the best services for international money transfers: exchange rates, fees and speed for Wise, Revolut, N26 and traditional banks.
7 minGetting Married on Mallorca as an Expat - The Complete Guide
Getting married on Mallorca involves two very different paths - a legally binding civil ceremony or a symbolic ceremony at a venue - and mountains of paperwork if you are a foreign national. This guide walks you through documents, timelines, ayuntamiento procedures, and what you need to register the marriage back home.
16 minInheritance Planning on Mallorca - What Every Expat Needs to Know
International expats living on Mallorca can elect their home-country law to govern their succession under EU Regulation 650/2012 - but the rules, taxes, and practicalities are more layered than most people expect. This guide explains forced heirship, Balearic civil law, Spanish wills, and the inheritance tax breaks that make Mallorca surprisingly favourable for families.
18 minGetting a Loan in Spain - What You Need to Know as a German
Everything about loans in Spain: the types available, the requirements you need to meet as a foreigner, and how to find the best deal.
10 minCost of Living on Mallorca - What Does Life Actually Cost?
What does life on Mallorca really cost? An honest overview of rent, food, transport, health, leisure and utility costs for German expats and residents.
12 minRetiring on Mallorca - A Practical Guide for Expats
Thinking about retiring on Mallorca? This guide covers visa routes by nationality, how your home-country state pension is paid and taxed in Spain, healthcare options, realistic cost-of-living ranges, and the best areas of the island for retirees.
15 minSpanish Criminal Record Certificate on Mallorca - How and Where to Get It
The Certificado de Antecedentes Penales is a document you will need for certain Spanish visas, some employment roles, and professional licences. This guide explains when you need it, how to get it online or in person in Palma, what it costs, and how it differs from the home-country clean record certificate you also need for initial residency applications.
12 minTax Return in Spain (Renta) - IRPF Explained
Everything about Spanish income tax: the IRPF tax return, deadlines, the 183-day rule, allowances, and deductions for employees and the self-employed.
10 minWhen Are You Tax-Liable in Spain? - All Criteria Explained
From when are you tax-liable in Spain? The 183-day rule, centre of life, economic focus, the Beckham Law, and Modelo 720 - all explained clearly.
12 minTax Residency and Double Taxation on Mallorca - A Guide for Expats
Understand when you become a Spanish tax resident, what the 183-day and centre-of-vital-interests rules mean, how double taxation treaties with the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa work, and when you must file Modelo 720 and Modelo 721.
16 minWealth Tax in Spain - What Really Counts on the Balearic Islands
How the Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio works in Spain, what allowances the Balearic Islands offer, and what the solidarity levy ISGF means for large fortunes.
8 min