UK Startup Founders Moving to Spain: Tax Guide
Startup founders typically have multiple income streams: salary, RSU vesting, and options on top of carry or founders' shares. Under Spain's Beckham Law, salary and employment equity income (RSUs, options exercised from a qualifying employer) are all taxed at a flat 24% when Spanish-source. Corridor's full compensation model includes equity vesting so the saving reflects your total package — not just base salary. For a founder on £120k salary with £80k of annual RSU vesting, the year-one saving is approximately €34,000.
Deterministic compute · Transparent assumptions · Not tax advice — verify with a licensed gestor.
Example saving · year one
€34,100
€205,000 over 6 years
Frequently asked questions
Are RSUs taxable under the Beckham Law at the 24% rate?
RSUs that vest while you are employed under a qualifying Spanish contract and that relate to services performed in Spain are treated as Spanish-source employment income and subject to the 24% Beckham rate. RSUs granted before the move but vesting after arrival will need a source apportionment between UK and Spanish services — the Spanish portion benefits from the 24% rate.
What happens to my founders' shares when I move to Spain?
Founders' shares held in a UK company are UK-sited assets. Their value does not form part of your Spanish wealth tax base under the Beckham Law (only Spanish-sited assets count). If you sell shares while a Spanish Beckham Law resident, the gain is likely treated as foreign-source capital gains and may not benefit from the 24% rate — this is a key area to verify with a cross-border specialist.
Can I move to Spain under Beckham Law while my startup is still operating in the UK?
Yes. Many UK founders structure their move so the UK company continues under UK rules while they take a new employment contract from a Spanish entity (or an arrangement where their UK employer posts them). The critical check is that you are not exercising 'effective control' over a Spanish entity that employs you — Corridor's eligibility model includes this founder-director check.