Digital Nomad Visa Spain: 2026 Guide for UK Professionals
With the Digital Nomad Visa Spain, the dream for many UK-based professionals of trading a grey London morning for a coffee on a terrace in Seville or a co-working space in Barcelona has never been more attainable. As we move through 2026, the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) has matured into one of the most robust […]
Solving the English Probate Puzzle for Spanish Property Owners
Navigating English probate for Spanish property causes friction in Spanish notarial and registration practice for one simple reason: the two systems start from opposite assumptions about how to prove a valid succession. Understanding the complexities of English probate for Spanish property is essential for any executor or owner looking to avoid lengthy legal delays. In England and Wales, a […]
The Succession Divide: Navigating Cross-Border Inheritance for Modern Families
The traditional nuclear family, married parents, biological children, assets in one country, was once the bedrock of European succession law. Today, it’s increasingly the exception rather than the rule. Modern private wealth is defined by blended households, same-sex couples, long-term cohabitation without marriage certificates, and assets scattered across the English Channel and the Mediterranean. Families […]
Counting Days, Creating Risk: Why the UK and Spain Still Get Tax Residence So Differently
With the 31st January UK tax return deadline fast approaching, thousands of British nationals living in Spain face a question that appears deceptively simple. Where are you tax resident? For internationally mobile professionals, tax residence is rarely a question of where one lives in the ordinary sense. It is a question of how days are […]
The Ultimate Guide to UK Tax Residency: The Statutory Residence Test (SRT) Explained
Determining your UK tax residency status is the cornerstone of managing your tax affairs effectively. Whether you’re an internationally mobile professional, relocating expat, or UK citizen working abroad, the Statutory Residence Test (SRT) will dictate your tax obligations. This rigid, objective framework replaced the previous subjective tests in 2013, providing much-needed clarity for globally mobile […]
Britain’s Closest Cousin? Why Spain Is More Familiar Than You Think
Here’s a question that might make you spit out your tea (or café con leche): Which country is most similar to Britain? If you guessed Denmark, Sweden, or perhaps Canada, you’d be in good company, but the reality points in a different direction. According to The Economist’s recent analysis of OECD countries, the answer is […]
International Divorce Between the UK and Spain: Strategic Guidance for British Expatriates
International divorce between the UK and Spain raises complex legal and strategic issues. Following Brexit, the legal landscape has shifted from automatic EU regulations to a more nuanced framework of international conventions and national laws. For British expatriates, early decisions on jurisdiction and financial strategy are not just tactical—they are definitive. 1. Jurisdiction In the post-Brexit […]
Spain Confirms English Law Applies Without Probate in Cross-Border Succession: Key Resolution for STEP Practitioners
A groundbreaking resolution from Spain’s Directorate-General for Legal Security and Public Faith, issued on 4 August 2025, has provided crucial clarification for STEP practitioners managing cross-border estates between the UK and Spain. This decision establishes clear precedent that English law can govern Spanish asset inheritance through implied choice of law provisions, eliminating the need for […]
Spanish Probate for UK Nationals: A Complete Guide to Administering an Estate in Spain
Spanish probate is the legal process of organising and administering a deceased person’s assets in Spain and distributing them to beneficiaries once all debts and taxes have been paid. For UK nationals dealing with Spanish estates, this process differs significantly from the familiar UK probate system and requires careful navigation of Spanish civil law procedures, […]
Invalid Notifications in Spain and HMRC Recovery in the UK: A Procedural Defence for Cross-Border Taxpayers
Over recent months, we have seen a growing number of UK taxpayers receiving letters from HMRC demanding payment of Spanish tax debts on behalf of the Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria (AEAT). In many of these cases, the underlying issue is not the amount of tax assessed but a procedural flaw: the taxpayer was never properly notified in Spain. What may seem a […]
The True Essence of Trusts: A Personal Reflection from an Anglo-Spanish Perspective
Much is said about trusts today : especially by corporate trustees and continental-trained lawyers : yet much of it misses the essence of what a trust really is. For many, a trust has become a compliance product, something to be administered within the framework of regulation and reporting. For others, particularly within civil law traditions, […]
Why Does the Judge Speak So Much?
British clients who attend court in Spain often ask me the same question: “Why is the judge doing all the talking?” For anyone familiar with the English courtroom, where judges sit silently as barristers argue, the Spanish scene can feel unsettling. A magistrate in Madrid may cut into a witness’s testimony, demand further evidence, or redirect […]
Trusts in Spain: An Incoherent Legal and Tax Approach
A trust is a legal relationship originating in common law whereby a person (the settlor) transfers assets to another (the trustee) to hold and manage for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. The trustee holds legal title, while the beneficiaries enjoy the equitable or beneficial interest. Although often compared to civil law concepts such […]
Navigating Spain’s Golden Visa After the New Immigration Law Reform
The Investors residence permit (also known as golden visa) has been one of the most popular vehicles used by non-European expats in order to start a life in Spain. Between 2019 and 2020, before Brexit fully took effect, some UK citizens secured Spanish Golden Visas through property investments in anticipation of losing EU free movement […]
The dangers of the over-reliance on AI for the legal world
It is no secret that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become ever more present within the legal profession and a prevalent topic of debate. In fact, its come to a point where even the Bar Council [1] and the Law Society [2] have had to publish detailed guidance for legal practitioners to refer […]
Decisions by the UK against illegal workers and it’s implications for businesses
Decisions by the UK against illegal workers and it’s implications for businesses. Recent talk within the legal and political realm has been centred around the Prime Minister’s remarks on the 31st of March 2025 setting out a number of quite strict policies, especially focusing on addressing the problem of illegal migration. Now, we all know […]
New ETA and Rising Fees: Your Guide to UK Travel and Immigration Changes
Your Guide to UK Travel and Immigration Changes. It is no secret that immigration regulations are always complex and understanding them, as well as keeping up to date with them, can feel like navigating a labyrinth using a poorly designed map. In this instance, the United Kingdom’s system is no exception and, in fact, because […]
Navigating The UK´s New Complex Immigration Rules
Navigating The UK´s New Complex Immigration Rules. Travelling to the UK has become ever more complex post-Brexit, however, recent changes in the regulations mean that new requirements will be put in place which will add an extra layer of complexity to an already difficult process. Old system Traditionally, people who were starting their application would […]
Exploring the lesser-known traditions of the Bar in England and Wales
Exploring the lesser-known traditions of the Bar in England and Wales. The Bar, as a profession, and Barristers, as esteemed members of said profession, are often considered to be part of a mysterious world that is far different from that of the lay person, especially when you see them wearing the wigs and gowns which […]
Del Canto Chambers partner with San Telmo Business School
Del Canto Chambers partner with San Telmo Business School. San Telmo Business School is a well-respected business school in Spain, with campuses in Sevilla and Málaga. Their main goal is to help people improve their management skills through various programs. They understand the challenges that companies and both public and private institutions face. San Telmo […]
Barristers in the International Legal Market
Barristers in the International Legal Market. Barristers of England and Wales provide specialist advocacy and legal advisory services of the highest quality to clients around the world as follows:• They primarily act as advocates in court proceedings (both in the courts of England and Wales and in many other jurisdictions), arbitrations, adjudications and mediations;• They […]
Setting up a business in the UK
Setting up a business in the UK. The UK has long been one of the best places in the world for setting up a business. Company formation and registration are relatively cheap and easy and the UK’s tax structure means in the early, less-productive years a business will not be heavily taxed. It is important […]
An easy guide to dealing with probate
Guide to dealing with probate. Dealing with probate after the death of a loved one has never been an easy procedure. Covid-19 has made it more challenging and the need of making personal arrangements in some cases has led to an even lengthier process than before. Meanwhile, the new government measures for amending the Wills […]
Spanish residence permit for British Citizens after Brexit.
Spanish residence permit for British Citizens after Brexit. The British exit from the EU on January the 31st seems like a lifetime ago, as the events of recent months have been so tumultuous. But Brexit hasn’t gone away, just disappeared from view, and the uncertainty it creates still affects us in many ways, both big […]
The Brexit Prophecy and "Brexpats" in Spain
The Brexit Prophecy and “Brexpats” in Spain. International tax barrister Leon Fernando Del Canto looks at what Brexit will mean for businesses and individuals in the EU and in particular for the large number of British citizens living and working in Spain. To read the full article The Brexit prophecy and “Brexpats in Spain Del […]
Internet defamation, the web cannot be the Wild West
Many call for a quick and achievable resolution for internet defamation. Unfortunately the Internet defamation is more usual than desired. It is not hard to imagine that at this very moment a person, hopefully, neither you nor I, is being defamed on the internet. Turn on with a single click. The screen of any terminal […]
British Investment still growing in Spain despite of Brexit fears and political tensions
Spain is the most attractive European country for British investment Spain is the most attractive European country for British investment according to the III Barometer on Climate and Outlook for British Investment in Spain; which took place last 15th February, hosted by the HE of Spain in United Kingdom, Mr. Carlos Bastarreche and the participation […]
Keep calm – but, let’s not carry on with Brexit
Every day we wake up in the City of London and Brexit is still there. Like a bad dream that we just can’t escape. A nightmare for those who voted ‘no’ and for those in favour of leaving. Brexit has grown immovable, turned into a real monster, unfathomable and seemingly endless. A curse for UK […]
Permanent Residence Card VS Settled Status
Many of yours might be thinking, whether at this stage, would be worthy to apply for a Permanent Residence Card or perhaps would be convenient to wait until the UK government clears up the horizon of the EU Citizens living in the UK. SAS and Permanent Residence Card The last 7th November, the government offered […]
The Home Office changes the EEA (PR) Guidance Notes
The Home Office changes the EEA (PR) Guidance Notes After media published that the Home Office tries to stop the applications to Permanent Residence Card from EEA citizens suggesting to these citizens to subscribe to an email alert instead of applying to a PR due to the huge increase of applications since the Brexit date. […]
The City claims itself before Brexit
The City claims itself before Brexit Our Managing Partner, León Fernando del Canto, took part in the event #EmbraceLondon, held by the Spanish journal El País, last 19th April. The event was assisted by British and Spanish businessmen and politicians in order to discuss the post-Brexit United Kingdom and to claim for the pragmatism as […]
Pragmatism, mutualism and certainty is what the City of London needs on Brexit negotiations
Pragmatism, mutualism and certainty is what the City of London needs on Brexit negotiations Our managing Partner León Fernando Del Canto, (Del Canto Chambers) embraced the scope of a historical relationship between United Kingdom and Spain, as well as #EmbraceLondon as an open arm Worldwide Business City. The Business Breakfast organized together with EL PAÍS […]
Del Canto Chambers bets for pragmatism on Brexit negotiations
Del Canto Chambers bets for the pragmatism on Brexit negotiations Our Managing Partner, León Fernando del Canto, has taken part of the event EmbraceLondon, a briefing held by the Spanish journal El País, gathering representatives of the Spanish and British financial sectors in order to discuss the consequences of the EU and British’s negotiations in […]
Application for UK Residence Card
Application for UK Residence Card A popular Spanish proverb says “All fields bloom in March…”. March is the month in which we begin to awake from the winter lethargy and in which many of us with much anticipation, we are welcoming the much appreciated Spring. March also is and will be undoubtedly crucial in the […]
Solicitud de la Tarjeta de Residencia en UK
All the Fields Bloom in March… El refranero popular dice que “en Marzo florecen en todos los campos..”, sin duda es el mes en el que comenzamos a salir del letargo invernal y en el que muchos de nosotros acogemos con mucha expectación la siempre bienvenida Primavera. Marzo también, lo es y será, sin duda […]
The Spanish-British axis
The Spanish-British axis It is time to get around the negative reading of ‘Brexit’ and strengthen ties between the two countries Published by León Fernando del Canto in El Pais on October 8th 2016 The Brexit has been a major blow to the dream of building an European Union, which, in truth, we do not […]
Schengen after Brexit
Schengen after Brexit Refugees crisis and spread nationalism across Europe have questioned the third-countries visa rules in the Schengen Area, but the real test will be the Brexit that will redefine expats status. Free movement of people, goods and services are one of the basic cornerstones of the EU’s political project. The Schengen Area is […]
The luxury housing operations in the United Kingdom increases twelve points
The British luxury housing market keeps increasing despite Brexit and the recent changes implemented by the government in the Stamp Duty Land Tax. The luxury properties’ selling in the United Kingdom (those worth more than one million pounds) has increased up to 12% in 2016 with regard to the previous year despite implemented changes in […]
Del Canto Chambers bets for Spanish and British relations
Our Managing Partner, León Fernando del Canto, has published an article in the economic journal “Cinco Dias” where he is defending that relations between Spain and the United Kingdom should be maintained after Brexit. He also requires the Spanish government to establish bilateral negotiations with the UK as soon as possible.
The United Kingdom, seventh competitive world power
The World Economic Forum places the UK among the most competitive economies. The United Kingdom is the seventh most competitive economy worldwide. This has been confirmed in the report by the World Economic Forum (WEC), also known as Davos Forum, which released the ranking of the most competitive economies in the world. Britain has gone […]
Leon Fernando Del Canto publishes an article in British business newspaper City AM
Our Managing Partner in the office of Del Canto Chambers, Leon Fernando Del Canto, published in the British business newspaper City AM an article on the growth of the M & A sector in the United Kingdom despite the bad omens predicted as a result of Brexit. As an example, Leon Fernando Del Canto highlights […]
Testament and death of a Brit in Spain: what you should know
The existing legislation between Spain and Britain regarding inheritance is complex, mainly because their legal traditions are opposed. While in the UK there is absolute freedom in regards to how the inheritance may be distributed, in Spain by law there is a system which reserves a portion of the inheritance to the so-called “legitimate heirs”, […]
Sterling drop cheapens the expats British pensioners
British pensioners on abroad have experienced how their pensions have dropped until a 10% and they are afraid of losing even more purchase power. The Brexit still has consequences, mostly negatives, for the British economy. Shortly after the referendum, the sterling pound felt in the markets and it reached unremembered values since 80’s, while authorities […]
Family Office services: tips to consider in the UK and Spain when setting them up
Different jurisdictions and tax schemes are keys to bear in mind when an FO is established A Family Office (FO) is a kind of business created to manage the single family or group family’s assets and wealth. It deals with wealth management such as financial, real estate and corporate investments and tax optimisation and its […]
A week marked by the Brexit and… the "Bankxit"
The Brexit’s effects and those caused by the CJEU’s Advocate General’s line on mortgage-floor-clauses in the Spanish banking sector fill our first week up. Lawfirm Del Canto Chambers’ blog started this first July-summer-week a new stage to became a reference blog on commercial law, fiscal law and Private Clients in the UK, Spain and Qatar […]
Jersey Threatens to Break with UK over Tax Backlash
An article in The Guardian by Simon Bowers reports that ‘the island should be ready to become independent, says senior minister after political attacks on finance industry.’ The full article can be found at The Guardian here, or can be read below: A barrage of regulatory clampdowns and political attacks on the Channel Islands’ controversial […]
London, global center of Family Offices
The British capital has the highest concentration of Family Offices in Europe, a booming business sector that manages high-net-worth families’ wealth. London is the Europe’s financial capital, headquarters of numerous businesses that move and attract extraordinary investments. Amongst its most vigorous businesses, is where Family Offices (FO) are found. They are companies that manage the […]
