SUMMARY OF THE ARTICLE
1.- Testamentary freedom.
Those with no forced heirs may freely leave their estate to a charity. Where forced heirs exist, their entitlement must be respected, and only the freely disposable portion could go to the charity.
2.- Taxation of the beneficiary organisation.
Legal entities are not subject to Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax. They could, however, be liable for Corporate Income Tax or Non-Resident Income Tax.
3.- Foreign charities and tax benefits.
Law 49/2002 requires specific conditions and an express opt-in. If the charity is based outside the EU or EEA — as is now the case for many UK-based charities following Brexit — access to this favourable regime may be more complicated.
At our firm, we increasingly receive enquiries from people who, having no children or other forced heirs, have a very clear idea in mind: “I want to leave my inheritance to a charity.” This is a legitimate decision and, in principle, perfectly possible. However, it raises reasonable questions. Can this be done without limits? Will that organisation be taxed in the same way as an individual? In this week’s article, we examine what you should bear in mind, from both a civil and a tax perspective.
Are there limits when it comes to leaving my inheritance to a charity?.
This depends, first of all, on the law applicable to the succession. If Spanish law applies, forced heirs, such as children, parents or a spouse, may condition your freedom to make a will. You may leave part of your estate to a charity, such as the Red Cross or Cancer Research, but the forced heirship rights of your close relatives must always be respected.
Other legal systems, however, may recognise greater freedom of disposal, with no equivalent forced heirship regime. This is the case, for instance, under the law of England and Wales, where the testator may, generally speaking, dispose of their estate freely.
How is the receiving organisation taxed?.
Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax taxes lucrative acquisitions obtained by individuals. Legal entities, such as a foundation or an association, fall outside its scope. This does not mean, however, that the acquisition is exempt from all taxation. Depending on the circumstances, it could be subject to Corporate Income Tax or, if the entity is not resident in Spain, to Non-Resident Income Tax.
Are there any tax benefits available for these types of organisations?.
Here, particular care is required. Law 49/2002 provides a special, favourable tax regime for foundations and associations declared of public benefit that meet certain requirements. This regime does not apply automatically. The entity must satisfy the relevant conditions and must also expressly opt into it through the appropriate tax registration procedure. When the beneficiary organisation is Spanish, this step tends to be relatively well known. When dealing with a charitable association or a foreign entity, matters can become more complicated.
What happens when the charity is based outside Spain?.
This is an increasingly common scenario among our clients, many of whom wish to benefit organisations from their countries of origin. To access the special tax regime, Spanish regulations require the entity to be resident in the EU or the EEA, with tax information exchange arrangements in place. We understand that, following Brexit, this could affect charities based in the United Kingdom, which may not automatically qualify for this favourable regime. It is also worth considering the legal form of the entity (foundation, charity, trust, etc.). This can prove decisive, since certain structures, such as the “Trust”, have no recognised equivalent under Spanish law.
Conclusion.
Anyone considering “I want to leave my inheritance to a charity” can, in most cases, do so with peace of mind. However, it is advisable to review the testator’s family situation and the legal and tax nature of the beneficiary organisation, particularly where it is based abroad. At White-Baos Lawyers, we specialise in international succession planning. If you wish to proceed with confidence, do not hesitate to contact us.
The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice but merely conveys information relating to legal issues.
Carlos Baos (Lawyer)
White & Baos.
Tel: +34 966 426 185
E-mail: info@white-baos.com
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