Tax Atlas

Malta vs Spain: tax comparison for expats & nomads

On income tax alone, Malta comes out lower at a typical $100,000 income — but it depends on your income and regime. Here is the head-to-head on residency rules, rates, special regimes and nomad visas, each figure sourced.

Effective income tax by income

Gross annual incomeMaltaSpain
$50,00017.6%27.7%
$100,00024.8%35.1%
$200,00029.9%40.1%

Effective rate = total income tax ÷ gross income, run through each country’s full statutory scale (standard resident regime). Income tax only — excludes social security, deductions and sub-national taxes; cross-currency incomes use an indicative FX snapshot dated 2026-08-20. Try your own income and toggle special regimes →

Malta vs Spain, side by side

 MaltaSpain
Top income tax rate35%PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“ranging from 0% to 35%. The 35% tax bracket is reached at annual chargeable income in excess of EUR 60,000”View source · accessed 2026-08-2147%PwC Tax Summaries“Tax liability may therefore differ from one autonomous community to another”View source · accessed 2026-08-09
Tax-residency day threshold183 daysOECD (AEOI) - Malta Information on Residency for tax purposes“individuals who spend more than six months in Malta in a calendar year are likely to be Maltese tax residents”View source · accessed 2026-08-21183 daysPwC Tax Summaries“Spend more than 183 days in Spain during a calendar year. In determining the period of stay, temporary absences are included in the count”View source · accessed 2026-08-09
Signature tax regimeGlobal Residence Programme (15%): 15%PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“foreign-source income remitted to Malta by the beneficiary or its dependants being taxed at a flat rate of 15%, subject to a minimum tax of EUR 15,000 per annum”View source · accessed 2026-08-21Beckham regime: 24%PwC Tax Summaries“The applicable tax rate is 24% for the first EUR 600,000 of taxable income and 47% on any excess”View source · accessed 2026-08-09
Digital nomad visaYes — Nomad Residence PermitKPMG Malta“The permit is issued for one year and can be renewed for up to four years.”View source · accessed 2026-08-21Yes — Spain Digital Nomad Visa (international remote working visa)Citizen Remote“24% on Spanish-sourced employment income up to €600,000 per year”View source · accessed 2026-08-09
Nomad-visa income requirementEUR 42,000 / yearResidency Malta Agency - Nomad Residence Permit“an applicant must have a minimum gross yearly income of €42,000. Applicants who submitted their application prior to 1st April 2024 will still retain the same annual gross income requirement of €32,400”View source · accessed 2026-08-21EUR 2,849 / monthCitizen Remote“~€2,850–€2,860 per month, equivalent to 200% of the SMI”View source · accessed 2026-08-09

Every figure links to its source and verification date. Full guides: Malta · Spain.

Frequently asked questions

Is Malta or Spain better for tax?

On income tax alone, Malta has the lower effective rate at a $100,000 income (24.8% vs 35.1%). But the right answer depends on your income level, which special regime you qualify for, social security, and treaty relief — see the full comparison below.

Which has the lower tax-residency threshold, Malta or Spain?

Malta treats you as tax resident after 183 days, and Spain after 183 days. But ties like a home, family or economic centre can trigger residency on fewer days — never rely on a day count alone.

Does Malta or Spain have a digital nomad visa?

Malta has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa (income requirement around EUR 42,000 / year); Spain has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa (income requirement around EUR 2,849 / month). See the "Digital nomad visa" row below for the sourced detail.

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