Mexico vs Spain taxes (2026): wealth tax and Beckham regime

Mexico vs Spain tax rates at a glance

Tax	🇲🇽 Mexico	🇪🇸 Spain
Income tax	Personal income tax: 1.92% - 35% Highest bracket tax: 35% Foreign income tax: Taxable for residents Salary withholding: Monthly Employee social security: Separate Tax return deadline: 30 April	Personal income tax: 19% - 54% Reference employment scale: 19% - 47% Top marginal rate: About 54% Savings income: 19% - 30% Impatriate regime: 24% to EUR 600,000 Employee social security: About 6.5%+
Corporate tax	Corporate income tax: 30% Dividend withholding: 10% VAT: 16% Border VAT: 8% Annual return deadline: 31 March	Corporate tax: 25% 2026 micro-enterprise first EUR 50,000: 19% 2026 micro-enterprise remainder: 21% 2026 small entities: 23% New companies and start-ups: 15% Credit institutions and certain hydrocarbons: 30% Canary Islands ZEC regime: 4% Pillar Two minimum: 15%
Capital gains tax	Capital gains tax: Up to 35% Listed share gains: 10% Property gains: Up to 35% Nonresident gross method: 25% Nonresident net method: 35%	Individual capital gains: 19% - 30% Crypto gains: 19% - 30% Property gains: 19% - 30% Non-resident asset-transfer gains: 19% Non-resident property-sale withholding: 3% Exit-tax ownership threshold: >25% and EUR 1m
Dividend tax	Dividend withholding tax: 10% Domestic dividend tax: 10% Foreign dividend tax: Taxable	Resident dividend tax: 19% - 30% Dividend WHT: 19% Corporate participation exemption: 95% of qualifying dividend Non-resident domestic withholding: 19% Standard corporate tax before distribution: 25%
Wealth tax	Net wealth tax: 0% Net worth tax: 0% Annual asset tax: 0%	Wealth tax: 0.2% - 3.5% State minimum exemption: EUR 700,000 Principal residence exemption: Up to EUR 300,000 Large-fortune solidarity tax: 0% / 1.7% / 2.1% / 3.5% Wealth Tax filing threshold: Gross assets over EUR 2m
Inheritance / estate tax	Inheritance tax: 0% Estate tax: 0% Gift tax: 0% / limited Probate tax: 0%	Inheritance tax: 7.65% - 34% Gift tax: 7.65% - 34% Group I state allowance: EUR 15,956.87+ Group II state allowance: EUR 15,956.87 Group III state allowance: EUR 7,993.46 Group IV state allowance: None State fallback effective ceiling: Up to 81.6%
VAT / GST / sales tax	VAT: 16%	VAT: 21% / 10% / 4%
Other key taxes	None listed on country overview	Reference employment scale: 19% - 47%
Standard VAT	16%	21% / 10% / 4%
Wealth tax	0% federal	0.2% - 3.5% regional, plus large-fortune solidarity tax

Who wins on each tax

Personal income taxMexico

Mexico's resident ISR tops at 35%; Spain's combined regional IRPF can reach about 54%, with a 19% to 47% reference withholding scale.

Corporate taxSpain

Spain's standard corporate rate is 25%, with lower 2026 micro and small-company rates; Mexico's federal CIT is 30%.

Capital gains taxSpain

Spain taxes savings-base gains at 19% to 30%; Mexico can tax gains up to 35%, though some listed-share sales can use a 10% final tax.

Wealth taxMexico

Mexico has 0% federal wealth tax; Spain has regional wealth tax of 0.2% to 3.5% and can add solidarity tax on large fortunes.

The verdict

Mexico is usually lighter for high-net-worth residents because it has no federal net wealth tax and no federal inheritance tax. Spain levies regional wealth tax, commonly discussed in a 0.2% to 3.5% range, plus a Temporary Solidarity Tax on Large Fortunes, and inheritance and gift tax that can reach 7.65% to 34%+ before regional bonuses.

The non-rate constraint is Spain's wealth tax versus the Beckham-style impatriate election. Qualifying newcomers can elect a Non-Resident Income Tax style regime at 24% up to EUR 600,000 and 47% above, but it is not automatic. Mexico's 1.92% to 35% ISR applies to worldwide residents without that election, and SAT still runs the compliance calendar.

Choose Mexico if you want 35% personal ISR, 30% CIT, 16% VAT and no federal wealth tax. Choose Spain for EU residence, a possible impatriate election, or a specific autonomous community, and budget wealth tax unless the facts clearly keep you out of it.

How to read this comparison

Mexico taxes residents on worldwide income at 1.92% to 35% ISR. Companies generally pay 30%. Dividends commonly face 10% withholding. Capital gains can reach 35%. VAT is 16%. There is no federal net wealth tax and no federal inheritance tax. SAT digital invoicing, IMSS and state payroll tax are the compliance extras, not an annual tax on net worth.

Spain is a high-tax EU system with a regional layer. Combined IRPF can reach about 54%, while the 2026 reference withholding scale runs from 19% to 47%. Savings income, including many gains and dividends, is 19% to 30%. Standard corporate tax is 25%, with 2026 micro-enterprise rates of 19% and 21% and a 23% small-entity rate where the conditions are met. VAT is 21%, 10% or 4%. Wealth tax is commonly 0.2% to 3.5% under regional rules, and large fortunes can also fall within the Temporary Solidarity Tax on Large Fortunes. Inheritance and gift tax uses a state 7.65% to 34%+ scale before regional allowances.

The constraint is Spanish wealth tax versus the Beckham-style impatriate regime. Newcomers who qualify can elect 24% up to EUR 600,000 and 47% above, but the five-year prior non-residence test, application deadline and income-scope rules must be met. It is not a 0% system and not automatic. Mexican residents have no equivalent federal wealth tax, but they also have no impatriate election: worldwide ISR at up to 35% applies once they are resident.

Choose Mexico if the goal is to avoid annual wealth tax and keep a 35% personal cap, and the life or business can sit in Mexico. Choose Spain for EU residence, a possible impatriate election, or a 25% company, and pick the autonomous community with open eyes: Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia are not the same wealth-tax file. A Spanish home can still create IBI and, for non-resident sellers, 3% buyer withholding on the sale price.

Which one fits you

🇲🇽 Choose Mexico if you're a…

High-net-worth residents who want no federal wealth tax
Nearshore operators serving North America
People who prefer 16% VAT to 21% VAT

🇪🇸 Choose Spain if you're a…

Qualifying newcomers who can elect the impatriate regime
Companies that fit Spain's 25% or reduced small-entity rates
People who want EU residence despite wealth tax

Frequently asked questions

Is Mexico or Spain better for tax?

Mexico is usually better for personal income tax and the absence of federal wealth and inheritance tax. Spain can be better for companies and for qualifying impatriates, but regional wealth tax is the high-net-worth problem.

What is Spain's Beckham or impatriate regime?

It lets qualifying people who move to Spain for work or certain professional, entrepreneurial or investment activities elect a Non-Resident Income Tax style regime while remaining Spanish tax residents. The rate is generally 24% up to EUR 600,000 and 47% above that, subject to statutory conditions and a filing election.

Does Mexico have a wealth tax?

No. Mexico does not levy a general annual net wealth tax on individuals, and there is no federal inheritance tax. Spain does levy wealth tax, and a regional bonus does not by itself remove every large-fortune exposure.