New travel, residency and administrative rules will reshape expat life in Spain from 2026.
Credit : chattanongzen, Shutterstock
Moving to or living in Spain has never been just about sunshine and tapas. For expats, paperwork, housing rules and tax compliance are part of daily life. And in 2026, several important changes are coming that will affect how foreigners travel, rent, work and settle in Spain. Some measures are already in motion, others will hit full speed next year, but together they mark a clear shift: tighter controls, more digital systems and far less tolerance for legal grey areas.
Here is a practical, no-nonsense guide to what expats in Spain should expect in 2026, and how to prepare.
New EU border rules: what happens when you enter Spain in 2026?
One of the most asked questions is about travel. From April 10, 2026, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be fully operational. This affects non-EU nationals visiting Spain for short stays, including British citizens.
Most Read on Euro Weekly News
Passport stamping will disappear. Instead, your entry and exit will be registered digitally, and on your first entry you will usually have your fingerprints and facial image taken. The system will automatically calculate how long you are allowed to stay under the 90/180-day rule.
For expats who already hold Spanish residency cards, EES does not apply. However, it will affect visiting family members and friends, and anyone travelling while still in the process of obtaining residency. Expect longer queues, especially in the first months, as border authorities adapt.
Another common question is about ETIAS. This is not a visa, but a travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, including UK nationals. ETIAS is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. It will be mandatory for short visits, but again, it does not apply to residents.
Renting in Spain: why housing rules will feel stricter
Housing is where most expats will feel the biggest impact.
From 2026, annual rent increases will no longer be linked to inflation. Instead, Spain will use a new reference index designed to limit sharp rises. For tenants, this means more predictability. For landlords, it means less flexibility.
Short-term rentals are another major issue. Spain has already launched a national digital registry for tourist accommodation, requiring properties to have an official registration number. In 2026, enforcement is expected to intensify. Platforms like Airbnb are now under pressure to remove non-compliant listings, following hefty fines imposed by Spanish authorities.
For expats renting short-term or mid-term, this means checking that the property is legally registered. Illegal listings may disappear overnight, leaving tenants scrambling for alternatives.
In apartment buildings, homeowners’ associations now have greater power to block new tourist rentals. A three-fifths majority vote can be enough to ban them. This matters for expats buying property with plans to rent it out, or those relying on holiday lets for income.
Is Spain becoming hostile to foreign buyers?
Another frequent concern is whether Spain is “closing the door” to foreigners.
The Golden Visa, which granted residency in exchange for property investment, ended in April 2025. In 2026, this will fully reshape the market. New investors must now rely on standard residency routes such as work permits, non-lucrative visas or entrepreneur visas.
There has also been political talk of imposing heavy taxes on non-EU, non-resident buyers. These proposals have made headlines, but they are not yet law. Expats should treat this as a watchlist issue rather than a confirmed change, while keeping a close eye on regional differences.
Working in Spain: what about autónomos in 2026?
Freelancers and self-employed expats often ask if things will get easier. The honest answer is no.
Although social security contribution brackets are expected to remain frozen into 2026, compliance checks are becoming more rigorous. Being autónomo still means paying monthly contributions even during months with little or no income, and filing quarterly tax declarations on time.
The real challenge in 2026 will not be new fees, but enforcement. Digital monitoring, data cross-checks and penalties for errors are increasingly common. For expats working remotely or juggling foreign income, professional advice is no longer optional.
Taxes and the Beckham Law: is it still worth it?
The Beckham Law remains attractive for certain expats, allowing qualifying workers to be taxed as non-residents. However, tax authorities are paying closer attention to how it is applied.
In recent cases, issues such as property ownership, imputed income and residency dates have triggered scrutiny. The law itself is not changing in 2026, but enforcement trends suggest that mistakes will be more costly.
High-net-worth expats should also be aware of developments around Spain’s wealth tax. Court decisions have reinforced the idea that non-residents should benefit from the same tax caps as residents in some situations, potentially reducing excessive taxation.
Immigration procedures: faster on paper, tougher in practice
Spain’s immigration rules were overhauled in 2025 to simplify pathways such as arraigo and work transitions. In 2026, the real test will be how consistently these rules are applied.
Appointments, documentation and regional interpretation remain major pain points. Expats should expect more digital processes but not necessarily fewer delays. Preparation, organisation and patience will remain essential.
What should expats do now?
The biggest mistake expats can make is waiting until the last minute. In 2026, Spain will be less forgiving of informal arrangements, undocumented rentals and tax shortcuts.
Check your rental contract, verify property registrations, review your tax status and plan travel carefully. Spain is not becoming unliveable for expats, but it is becoming more regulated.
For those willing to play by the rules, life under the Spanish sun remains very much worth it.
Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for more news from Spain