🌴 Alicante Is a Top Destination for Foreign Property Owners – But What Happens When You Inherit?
If you’re a foreigner inheriting property or receiving a gift in Alicante, you’re subject to Spanish and regional tax laws — even if you live abroad. The Comunidad Valenciana (which includes Alicante) has specific inheritance and gift tax regulations that you must follow to claim property, file taxes, and register ownership.
This guide breaks down how foreigners can legally inherit or receive assets in Alicante — and how to avoid overpaying taxes or delaying the process.
🧾 Do Foreigners Pay Inheritance Tax in Alicante?
Yes — but regional reductions are available if:
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The deceased was a resident of the Comunidad Valenciana
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The heir is a spouse, child, or parent (Group I or II)
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Proper documentation is filed on time
💡 If the property is located in Alicante, you must file inheritance or gift tax in the Valencia regional tax system, even if you’re a non-resident.
📊 Key Tax Benefits in Comunidad Valenciana
| Taxpayer Type | Deduction / Allowance |
|---|---|
| Children / Parents | €100,000 exemption |
| Under 21s | Extra €8,000/year up to age 21 |
| 75% reduction | On remaining taxable base |
| Disability reductions | €120,000–€240,000 depending on severity |
✅ Applies to both inheritance (sucesiones) and gifts (donaciones)
❗ You must file a declaration even if you owe no tax.
🏡 Inheriting Property in Alicante – Step-by-Step for Foreigners
1. 📄 Prepare the Documents
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Death certificate (apostilled + translated)
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Will (Spanish or foreign, with translation)
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NIE number for all heirs
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Property deed and cadastral reference
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Proof of relationship (birth/marriage certificates)
2. 🧾 File Inheritance Tax – Modelo 650
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Deadline: 6 months from date of death
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Extension available with request before 5 months
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File with the GVA tax agency (Agència Tributària Valenciana)
3. 🖋️ Accept the Inheritance at a Notary
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Escritura de Aceptación de Herencia
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Can be signed in person or by Power of Attorney
4. 🏛️ Register the Property in the Land Registry
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Submit inheritance deed + tax documents to Registro de la Propiedad
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Update in the Catastro system
5. 💰 Pay Plusvalía Municipal
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Local capital gains tax (on land value)
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Paid to the Alicante city council or local municipality
🎁 What If It’s a Gift, Not an Inheritance?
Gift tax (donación) applies when assets are transferred during life (e.g., parents gifting a house to their children).
In the Comunidad Valenciana:
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Same deductions as inheritance tax apply
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Must file Modelo 651
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Must sign a notarial gift deed in Spain
💡 Gifting is common among expat families planning ahead to reduce future inheritance tax.
❌ Common Mistakes Foreigners Make in Alicante
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Missing tax filing deadline | Fines and interest |
| No Power of Attorney | Forces personal travel to Spain |
| Using a foreign will with no translation | Delays at notary and registry |
| Ignoring Plusvalía tax | Title cannot be registered |
| Assuming national exemptions apply | Regional rules apply instead |
⚖️ How Our Lawyers Help You Inherit or Receive a Gift in Alicante
We assist with:
✅ Validating foreign wills and translations
✅ Drafting Power of Attorney to act on your behalf
✅ Filing Modelo 650 / 651 with applicable reductions
✅ Coordinating with Alicante notaries and tax authorities
✅ Registering property and paying municipal taxes
🌍 Most of our expat clients complete the entire process remotely with no travel required.
📞 Inheriting or Receiving Property in Alicante?
Whether you’re inheriting a beachfront home or receiving a gifted apartment in Alicante, our legal team ensures the process is fast, compliant, and tax-optimized.
👉 Contact us now to handle your inheritance or gift in Alicante from abroad.