David
Accountant · Barcelona, Spain
- 103 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Economia, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
VAT Advice & Compliance in Spain
Businesses that sell goods or services in Spain, including foreign companies, generally have to register for VAT (IVA) and file returns. An English-speaking tax lawyer explains the rules and acts in disputes.
About VAT Advice & Compliance in Spain
VAT in Spain is called IVA (impuesto sobre el valor añadido). Foreign businesses look for VAT registration in Spain, IVA for non-residents, VAT compliance, VAT returns or the EU one-stop shop (OSS). VAT is added to the price of most goods and services and passed to the tax agency by the business. A Spanish VAT number is part of the registration, not a separate service. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “VAT Service”.
Who it concerns and when
Companies, freelancers and other businesses that sell in Spain or make supplies that Spain taxes, including businesses established abroad. The rules differ for sales to consumers, sales to businesses and sales inside the EU. Businesses outside the EU are often required to appoint a fiscal representative.
How it usually works in Spain
A business registers with the tax agency (Agencia Tributaria), receives a VAT number, charges the tax on invoices and files periodic returns. Some businesses use the EU one-stop shop for distance sales. Under certain conditions a foreign business can reclaim VAT paid in Spain. Rates, thresholds and deadlines change every year, so a lawyer or tax adviser confirms the current ones.
How a lawyer or tax adviser helps
An English-speaking registered adviser checks whether registration is needed, prepares the application, advises on invoicing and cross-border sales, files returns and deals with the tax agency. In a dispute a tax lawyer reviews the options and, if the client agrees, acts for them.
Related services
- Accounting for a Spanish company: tax and accounting for limited companies.
- Freelancers: tax services for freelancers.
- Opening a business: business set-up.
Questions and answers
When does a foreign business register for IVA in Spain?
In general when it supplies goods or services that Spain taxes. The conditions depend on what is sold, to whom and from where.
What is the one-stop shop?
An EU scheme that lets certain distance sellers report VAT due in several countries through one registration.
Is a VAT number the same as a tax number?
They are linked. A Spanish VAT number is generally based on the business's tax number with a country prefix.
What if the tax agency questions my VAT returns?
A tax lawyer reviews the notice and the records and replies. Time limits can be short.
3 lawyers who provide VAT Advice & Compliance in Spain
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Aleix
Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain
- 30 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 4+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Business-Management, Universitat de Barcelona
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María
Lawyer · Estepona, Spain
- 184 cases handled
- 8+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, English
- Law, University Granada
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4.60(5 reviews)
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about VAT Advice & Compliance
3 registered lawyers provide this service in Spain. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
Other tax returns & fiscal services services in Spain
All tax returns & fiscal services services in SpainWhat our clients say about our service in Spain
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Working with him was a real pleasure, and he made everything very easy.
— Brian29 Mar 2021 -
The lawyer is very responsive and understood my case properly. He focuses more on the work than on money, explained things briefly and provided an appropriate solution. He is approachable, his English is perfect, and I am happy that his professionalism helped me solve my case.
— Senait14 Jul 2020 -
Amazing service and communication. I urgently needed a document translated from English into Spanish, so I contacted the lawyer and he started on it straight away. As promised, it was posted and reached me in Barcelona first thing the next morning, and I was very satisfied with the result. I cannot thank him enough, and I would definitely recommend him to family and friends.
— Amy20 Mar 2020 -
The lawyer was excellent to work with and very professional, and everything was done in good time. Communication was excellent too. I would recommend her to anyone who needs this kind of service.
— Amy17 Jan 2025VAT Advice & Compliance -
The lawyer has been excellent, answering quickly and helping a lot.
— Neil27 Jun 2022 -
The lawyer was highly professional and explained my tax case with impressive attention to detail. He answers promptly and takes the initiative in finding and explaining solutions to any problems. I am very satisfied, and I strongly recommend him and this service. Thank you for everything you have done for me.
— David05 May 2022 -
The lawyer is always timely and informative about tax returns that are due, and replies promptly to any request for advice. He is courteous and helpful, and his English is perfect. I am happy to have him as my lawyer abroad for tax matters.
— David11 Jan 2022 -
A professional, thorough lawyer who offers advice beyond his remit.
— Peter03 Apr 2021 -
The lawyer is very clear, precise, calm and professional. His advice has been welcome and he has answered my enquiries promptly, even at the weekend, in perfect English. So far, so good: the tax return for last year has been filed and the application to register as a tax resident is in progress.
— David08 Mar 2021 -
The lawyer is very professional, easy to approach with any questions and very quick to answer in a clear way. He offers great value for money for his expertise, and his English is perfect. I recommend his services 100%.
— Andy16 Jun 2022 -
I find the lawyer excellent in every attribute and skill. He is always clear and prompt when he writes to us and asks for the information needed to finish the work. We appreciate his guidance in helping us comply fully with Spanish law on the relevant matters.
— Michael11 Apr 2022 -
He has always been prompt, proactive and knowledgeable, and his service is very professional. I was very satisfied and would definitely recommend him to others.
— Patrick15 Mar 2021