Choosing the right accountant on the Costa del Sol matters for both expats and businesses. A good adviser keeps you compliant with Spanish rules and helps you make informed decisions; a poor choice can cost you penalties and missed opportunities. This article explains what to look for in an accountant and tax adviser, how the Spanish tax system affects expats, what other support is useful and how to compare fees and providers.
What are the key qualities of a reliable accountant on the Costa del Sol?
Look for an adviser who combines relevant training and experience, clear communication in a language you are comfortable with, transparency about fees and a service that covers what you actually need, whether that is personal tax, a company’s accounts, payroll or all of them.
Which qualifications should you look for?
Ask each candidate what professional training and memberships they hold, and check them with the body that issued them. Experience with your situation matters as much: an adviser who regularly works with non-residents, new residents or foreign-owned companies will know the forms and pitfalls that apply to you. Ask which languages the team works in, too.
How does local expertise affect accounting services?
Taxes in Spain are set at three levels: the State, the autonomous community (Andalusia, for the Costa del Sol) and the town hall. An adviser who knows the Andalusian rules and the local taxes, as well as the national ones, can tell you which apply to you and when.
How does the Spanish tax system affect expats and investors?
The Spanish tax system can differ significantly from the one you know at home. The first question is always whether you are tax resident in Spain, because residents and non-residents are taxed differently.
What are the main taxes expats in Spain may face?
- Income tax. Residents pay personal income tax (IRPF) on their worldwide income. Non-residents pay non-resident income tax only on income from Spain, generally at 24%, or 19% for residents of other EU or EEA states with effective exchange of tax information.
- Wealth tax. Residents may be liable on their worldwide net assets and non-residents on assets in Spain. In Andalusia, how much is actually payable depends on regional rules. See our guide to Spanish wealth tax.
- Local property tax (IBI). A municipal tax on the value of real estate, charged by the town hall.
- Non-resident property owners also declare income from their Spanish property on Modelo 210, even if it is not rented. See our Modelo 210 guide.
- Inheritance and gift tax. See our guide to inheritance tax in Andalusia.
How can tax planning improve your position?
Planning starts with the facts: residence, the types of income you have and where your assets are. One example is the special regime for people who move to Spain in Article 93 of the Personal Income Tax Law (often called the “Beckham law”). People who become tax resident as a result of moving to Spain for certain reasons, such as an employment contract or becoming a director of a company, and who were not resident in Spain in the previous five years, can opt to be taxed under non-resident income tax rules for the year of the move and the following five years. Income other than dividends, interest and capital gains is then taxed at 24% up to 600,000 euros and 47% above, and the person is taxed on wealth only for assets in Spain. Conditions and deadlines apply, so it needs to be reviewed before or at the time of the move, not afterwards.
What legal and administrative support complements accounting services on the Costa del Sol?
Accounting rarely stands alone. Property purchases, company changes, employment contracts and inheritances all have legal and administrative sides that affect tax.
How do integrated legal services benefit investors and developers?
Working with one team that understands both the legal and the financial side avoids gaps between advisers, keeps documents in one place and lets tax consequences be checked before a contract is signed.
What administrative assistance helps with compliance?
Useful support includes tax registrations and returns, payroll, Social Security procedures and keeping documentation in order, so that you can focus on your business or your life in Spain.
How are accounting and tax advisory fees structured in Marbella?
Fees depend on the complexity of the work and the experience of the adviser, so always ask for a written quote.
What are typical pricing models for tax consultants?
The usual models are a fixed fee for a defined service (for example, a monthly fee for bookkeeping and returns, or a fixed price for a specific return) and hourly rates for advice or one-off work. Ask what is included, what is charged separately and how changes in scope are priced.
How do you evaluate cost against service quality?
Compare what each quote covers, not only the price. A higher fee does not always mean a better service, and a low fee that excludes the returns you need is not a saving.
How do you verify and choose the best accountant on the Costa del Sol?
Check qualifications and experience, and make sure the adviser has worked on cases like yours.
How should you assess testimonials and references?
Testimonials are useful when they are specific and verifiable. Where possible, ask to speak to existing clients with similar needs, and look for consistency rather than one enthusiastic review.
What questions should you ask during an initial consultation?
- Which of my obligations will you handle, and which stay with me?
- Who in the team will work on my case, and in which language?
- How do you charge, and what is not included?
- How will you remind me of deadlines and documents you need?
- Have you handled cases like mine, for example non-resident property, a new company or a move to Spain?
Frequently asked questions
What is a tax accountant called in Spain?
In Spanish, a tax adviser is usually called an asesor fiscal and an accountant a contable. Many firms, like ours, combine both with administrative services, and the firm as a whole is often called an asesoría.
How we can help
MMR Consultant is based in Málaga with offices in Marbella. Our team works in English and Spanish and covers accounting, tax, payroll and preparation for arrival. Meet the people behind the service on our team page, or contact us to discuss your situation.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026.
- Boletín Oficial del Estado, Personal Income Tax Law (Law 35/2006), Articles 9 and 93.
- Boletín Oficial del Estado, Non-Resident Income Tax Law, Article 25.1.a.
- Boletín Oficial del Estado, Wealth Tax Law (Law 19/1991), Article 5.
- Boletín Oficial del Estado, Local Finance Law (Royal Legislative Decree 2/2004), Article 60 (IBI).
- Boletín Oficial del Estado, Inheritance and Gift Tax Law (Law 29/1987).
This article is general information, not tax advice for your case.
