Do French citizens need a visa to live in Spain?

No. France is an EU member state, so French citizens have full freedom of movement in Spain and can live, work and study without any visa. After 3 months of residence, French nationals must register as EU residents and obtain a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — biometric residence card) from the local Extranjería or Comisaría de Policía.

How many French nationals live in Spain and on Costa del Sol?

According to the INE (Spain's National Statistics Institute), over 100,000 French nationals are registered in Spain, making them one of the largest EU expat communities. The Málaga province and Costa del Sol have a growing French community, particularly in Málaga city (attracted by the tech and creative industries), Marbella (luxury property buyers) and the eastern Costa del Sol. The proximity to France — particularly from southern Spain via the Mediterranean corridor — makes Spain easily accessible.

How are French pensions and income taxed in Spain?

Under the Spain-France Double Taxation Treaty (1995), French pensions from CNAV (Assurance Retraite) are generally taxable in France, not in Spain, even if you become a Spanish tax resident. However, private French pensions and most other income sources become taxable in Spain once you spend 183+ days/year there. You must declare all worldwide income in Spain's IRPF, but the treaty credits prevent actual double taxation. French residents in Spain must also file the Modelo 720 if they have French assets (AV, PEA, immobilier) exceeding €50,000.

Can French nationals benefit from the Beckham Law in Spain?

Yes. The Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Impatriados) is available to French nationals who establish Spanish tax residency for the first time (after not having been resident in Spain for the previous 5 years) due to an employment contract, company relocation or Digital Nomad Visa. It provides a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 for 6 tax years — significantly lower than Spain's top IRPF rate of 47%.

What property taxes do French buyers pay in Andalucía?

French buyers purchasing resale property in Andalucía pay ITP (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales) at 7% of the purchase price. For new builds, IVA (VAT) is 10% plus AJD (stamp duty) at 1.2%. Additional costs — notary, Land Registry and legal fees — add approximately 2%. Total purchase costs are typically 10–12% above the purchase price. As EU residents paying IRNR, French non-resident owners pay the 19% EU rate on imputed income from non-rented properties.

French Expats Guide to Spain [2026]

France and Spain share Europe's most-crossed land border, and the proximity between the two countries has historically made Spain an easy choice for French nationals seeking Mediterranean warmth, lower costs of living and a relaxed lifestyle. Over 100,000 French nationals are registered in Spain, and this number has been growing as more French professionals, entrepreneurs and retirees discover the advantages of living south of the Pyrenees.

The French community in Spain and Costa del Sol

Region	French nationals
Catalonia (Barcelona)	~25,000
Andalucía (Málaga / Costa del Sol)	~15,000
Valencian Community	~12,000
Madrid	~18,000
Other regions	~30,000

On Costa del Sol, the French community is concentrated in Málaga city (creative and tech professionals), Marbella (property investors and luxury lifestyle seekers), and the increasingly popular eastern Costa del Sol (Nerja, Almuñécar).

Residency — No visa, straightforward registration

As EU citizens, French nationals need no visa to live in Spain. The process:

1. NIE number — Form EX-15, fee €9.84, Comisaría de Policía

2. TIE (biometric residence card) — apply at Extranjería with:

- French passport or national identity card (CNI)

- Proof of address (rental contract or property deed)

- Proof of economic means: employment contract, pension, or bank statements

- Health coverage: employer health insurance OR private insurance OR S1 form

3. Processing time: 4–8 weeks in Málaga

CNI note: French nationals can use their Carte Nationale d'Identité (not just passport) for entry and registration in Spain — important to know if your passport has expired.

Double Taxation Treaty Spain-France (1995)

The Convention Franco-Espagnole (1995) governs taxation for French expats in Spain:

Income type	Primary taxation
French state pension (CNAV)	France
Private French pensions	Spain (as resident)
French property rental income	France
Salaries earned in Spain	Spain
Dividends from French companies	Max 15% in France, credit in Spain
French life insurance (assurance-vie)	Complex — consult advisor

Assurance-vie and PEA: French savings products like the assurance-vie and Plan d'Épargne en Actions (PEA) have special tax treatment in France that does NOT automatically apply in Spain. French residents in Spain who maintain these products must declare them via Modelo 720 (if total > €50,000) and may face different tax treatment on withdrawals. This is one of the most important fiscal complexities for French expats.

Modelo 720 — French assets to declare

As a Spanish tax resident with French assets exceeding €50,000, you must file the Modelo 720 by 31 March each year. French assets that must be declared:

✓Bank accounts (Livret A, LDD, Compte courant)
✓Assurance-vie policies
✓PEA (Plan d'Épargne en Actions)
✓PER (Plan d'Épargne Retraite)
✓Immobilier (French property)
✓Actions et obligations

Beckham Law for French professionals

French professionals who relocate to Spain for work can benefit from the Ley Beckham:

✓Flat rate: 24% on Spanish-source income up to €600,000
✓Duration: 6 fiscal years (year of move + 5 following)
✓Available for: employees, relocated workers, Digital Nomad Visa holders

For a French professional earning €70,000/year in Spain, the Beckham Law means paying approximately €16,800 in Spanish income tax, versus €28,000–32,000 under the standard IRPF progressive scale.

Apply within 6 months of establishing Spanish tax residency.

Buying property in Spain as a French national

French buyers are active in the Spanish market, particularly for:

✓Costa del Sol: second homes and retirement properties
✓Catalonia: proximity to France
✓Balearic Islands: Mallorca and Ibiza

Process for French buyers in Andalucía

1. Obtain NIE (essential before any purchase)

2. Open Spanish bank account (BNP Paribas Spain, BBVA)

3. Search: Idealista.com, SeLoger Espagne, BienIci

4. Nota Simple — verify ownership (€9)

5. Due diligence + reservation + arras (10%)

6. Notary signing + Land Registry

Purchase costs

✓ITP (resale): 7% of purchase price
✓IVA + AJD (new build): 10% + 1.2%
✓Notary + Registry + Legal: ~2%
✓Total extras: ~10–12%

Healthcare for French expats

French nationals who contribute to French Social Security (Sécurité Sociale) and then move to Spain can in some cases maintain cover via the S1 form (for pensioners) or E104/S041 form (for workers). Contact CPAM (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie) before moving.

If you are self-employed or not covered by S1, you need private health insurance in Spain: Sanitas, AXA, Adeslas (~€80–150/month).

Checklist for French nationals moving to Costa del Sol

✓[ ] Obtenir NIE (formulaire EX-15, €9,84, Comisaría de Policía)
✓[ ] Demander TIE à l'Extranjería
✓[ ] Empadronamiento (mairie / Ayuntamiento)
✓[ ] Ouvrir un compte bancaire espagnol
✓[ ] Informer le CPAM du déménagement + demander S1 si retraité
✓[ ] Déclarer le départ au FISC (impôts.gouv.fr)
✓[ ] Modelo 720 si actifs en France > 50.000€ (avant 31 mars)
✓[ ] Demande Loi Beckham si eligible (dans les 6 mois)

Costa Expat assists French nationals with NIE, TIE, property purchases and tax registration on Costa del Sol. Our team is available in English and Spanish.

French Expats Guide to Spain [2026] — NIE, Residency & Property on Costa del Sol