Country Guides
Moving to Spain from the Netherlands
Navigate the relocation process from the Netherlands to inland Axarquía. Expert advice on legal requirements, CAK health insurance, tax Box 3, and buying a house.
1. Planning & Legal Requirements
Buying Spanish Property from the Netherlands
Purchasing property in the Axarquía while still resident in the Netherlands is simple. Most Dutch buyers use a Power of Attorney (volmacht) granted to their Spanish lawyer. This enables the lawyer to obtain your NIE number, open a Spanish bank account, sign reservation and arras contracts, and complete the deed (Escritura) at the notary on your behalf.
NIE Number & Residency Registration
As an EU citizen, you can relocate to Spain without a visa. For stays longer than 90 days, you must register as a resident at the Oficina de Extranjeros to receive your green certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión). Your NIE number (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your Spanish tax ID and is required for all legal transactions. You must also register on the Padrón census at your local Axarquía town hall.
2. Finances, Pensions & Taxes
Dutch Pension (AOW) in Spain
If you relocate to Spain, your AOW state pension and corporate pensions are taxable under the Spain-Netherlands double tax treaty. Generally, corporate pensions and AOW are taxed in Spain once you become a resident. However, government pensions (overheidspensioen) usually remain taxed in the Netherlands. You must report all pensions on your Spanish income tax return (IRPF).
Tax Residency & Box 3 Considerations
You are considered a tax resident in Spain if you spend more than 183 days per year in the country. In the Netherlands, you must deregister from the municipal registry (BRP) to stop Dutch tax residency. As a Spanish resident, your global income and assets are subject to Spanish taxes, replacing the Dutch Box 3 wealth tax system with Spanish wealth tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio) where applicable.
Expat Mortgages & Banking
Dutch citizens can obtain mortgages from Spanish banks. Non-resident mortgages generally cover up to 70% of the property's valuation, requiring a 30% deposit plus approximately 10-12% to cover purchase taxes and fees. Once registered as a resident, LTV limits can increase up to 80%.
3. Healthcare & Relocation Logistics
Dutch Healthcare Transfer (CAK Registration)
When you move to Spain and stop working in the Netherlands, you must deregister from your Dutch health insurance. If you receive a Dutch state pension (AOW) or qualifying benefit, you register with the CAK. The CAK will issue a document (formerly E121, now S1 Form) which you submit to the Spanish Social Security office (INSS). This grants you access to Spanish state healthcare, and your contribution is deducted from your Dutch pension.
Moving Belongings & Importing a Dutch Car
If you import a car with a Dutch license plate, you must register it on Spanish plates within 30 days of obtaining Spanish residency. This requires exporting the vehicle via the RDW, paying the Spanish registration tax (based on CO2 emissions), passing the ITV safety inspection, and changing your driving license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the role of the CAK when I move to Spain?
The CAK coordinates healthcare contributions for Dutch pensioners living abroad. They issue the S1 form so you can access Spanish public healthcare while keeping your pension-related health rights.
Q: Do I have to pay Dutch Box 3 tax if I am a resident in Spain?
No. Once you deregister from the Netherlands (BRP) and become a tax resident in Spain, you pay tax on your global assets in Spain rather than under the Dutch Box 3 system.
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