EU non-habitual residence

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EU non-habitual residence describes special tax regimes available to EU residents (and others using more onerous requirements) in specific EU countries.

EU citizens pay tax only in their tax domicile. Because tax laws across the EU are not uniform, there are anomalies across tax rates between various EU countries. For pensioners and others, this can make it possible to relocate and establish an alternative tax domicile in a more favourable location.

As well as describing non-habitual residence, this article lists various tax advantaged locations below, including a high level overview of their tax regimes. Some of these locations are in the EU, while others are well known tax advantaged locations.

Non habitual residence
One example of tax anomalies between EU nations is the Non Habitual Residence schemes operated by countries such as Portugal and Malta. The sections below outline these non habitual residence schemes.

Because tax law in EU differs across countries, if you are considering these schemes you should take specialist advice, both within your current domicile and within Portugal or Malta. There are legal advisers and other advisers available who are willing to provide this advice and guidance through the process.

Italy
Italy has introduced new laws that give qualifying residents favourable tax rates or treatment for income generated from outside of Italy.

The "new" laws giving newly-resident Italian citizens or foreigners advantageous tax treatments are briefly as follows:


 * Skilled worker "inpatriate" scheme (variants require residency outside Italy for 24 months to five years prior to establishing residency in Italy)
 * The New "Italian Resident Non-Domiciled" tax regime to draw high net worth individuals to Italy - "Flat Tax" annual €100,000 substitute tax (available to persons not tax resident in Italy for at least 9 of the 10 years preceding their transfer to Italy). Additional family members may be included for €25,000 per person annually.
 * New Italian tax regime for retired people abroad - Italy "pensioner" tax regime for persons not resident in Italy for any of the prior five years; tax rate of 7% on qualifying foreign income; limited to qualifying towns in certain zones

The Italian government has issued guidelines on the new tax regimes for new residents and high net worth individuals, and also released a checklist which you can file with the tax authorities for an initial assessment on eligibility for this beneficial regime.

If you are thinking of using the new regimes, do detailed tax and legal planning before proceeding. While these tax regimes are not strictly non habitual residence schemes, they have some of the features of those schemes. The three different tax regimes are alternatives that you cannot apply all at once. It is up to you to choose which one of the three is the most suitable for their situation.

The Italian Resident Non-Domiciled regime or the pensioner regime exempts you from:


 * wealth taxes levied on the value of financial assets ("IVAFE") and real estate properties ("IVIE") held abroad;
 * foreign assets reporting requirements within "Quadro RW" of the yearly Italian individual income tax return.

Portugal
Portugal introduced the Non Habitual Residency programme in 2009, aimed at attracting EU residents into the country. Qualification means satisfying a residency test, and in addition demonstrating that you have not been a tax resident of Portugal in the preceding five years. To be resident under the scheme you need to spend 183 days a year in Portugal and/or own or rent on a long term basis a residence there, with the intention of making it your habitual residence.

Tax matters
The scheme gives those who become resident in Portugal a tax exemption on certain types of income for a period of 10 years, provided they meet residency requirements each year (183 days per annum resident in Portugal). In other words Portuguese tax on income sourced outside of the country (with some exceptions) is much lower.

Qualifying income that is likely to remain untaxed in Portugal includes:


 * interest
 * rental income
 * dividends
 * royalties sourced outside of Portugal

Foreign pension income is now taxed at a rate of 10% following a change in legislation in 2020, perhaps with an offset of the Portuguese tax provided it is taxed in another country under the terms of the tax treaty. For example: you pay 5% tax on your pension in another country but Portugal wants to tax it at 10%. Now, you only have to pay 5% tax to Portugal under a tax credit system. This tax on pensions generally applies to all income that is paid out after retirement, for example, European state pensions, IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401ks, US Social Security, LISAs, annuities.

Capital gains on investments are not tax exempt and are subject to 28% capital gains tax in Portugal. The same applies for precious metals such as gold or silver. However if you sell a property abroad, you would not normally have to pay capital gains in Portugal.

Portugal does not impose an 'inheritance tax' as we know it, but does apply a 10% 'stamp duty' when assets are passed on death or as a lifetime gift.

There are two key rules/exemptions:

Spouses, descendants (children, grandchildren), and ascendants (parents) are exempt from this tax. The tax only applies to Portuguese assets – mostly real estate – regardless of where the donor or beneficiary is resident. Assets elsewhere are exempt.

Investment
Investment income including:


 * dividends
 * interest
 * rental income
 * royalties

If the above categories are earned outside Portugal, they are exempt from tax provided it may be taxed in the state of source under a tax treaty. Or, it may be taxed under the terms of the OECD Model Tax Convention and is not regarded as arising in Portugal.

Capital appreciation would appear not to be exempt from local Portuguese tax levels, which are 30%.

UK dividends, for example, will be tax-free in Portugal under the NHR regime because the UK/Portugal treaty provides that they may be taxed in the UK (even though in practice they may not actually be under the disregarded income rules).

Note that this tax-free income option does not apply to income generated in a blacklisted tax haven such as the Channel Islands.

Malta
EU nationals may either take up residence in Malta under the Malta Ordinary Residence system or benefit from The Residence Programme Rules.

Maltese tax law deems an individual non-domiciled resident in Malta on the basis of either spending more than 183 days in Malta or on circumstances demonstrated by the tax payer that support an intention to reside accordingly. (Buy or rent a home locally in accordance with certain limiting factors).

The ordinary residence programme is the main stream of entry for expats resettling in Malta. Except in very rare cases, it is only open to EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.

To qualify, you must:


 * Declare that you are fluent in English or Maltese.
 * Pay a one-time €6,000 registration fee. (Or €5,500 if you buy or rent a property in the south of Malta or on Gozo.)
 * Have a clean criminal record.
 * Prove that you are self-sufficient financially.
 * Buy a home worth €275,000 or €220,000 if it is in the south or on Gozo.
 * Or rent a home for €9,600 (€8,750 on Gozo or in the south) in annual rent.
 * Not spend more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction

Tax matters
Malta taxes non-domiciled residents on a remittance basis only on foreign-source income (not foreign-source capital) remitted to Malta, and only to the extent remitted. Income and capital gains arising in Malta are subject to tax in Malta at the applicable personal income tax rates.

Capital gains arising outside Malta fall outside the scope of Maltese tax, whether remitted to Malta or otherwise. Capital and savings remitted to Malta also fall outside the scope of Malta tax.

Malta has agreed over 60 double tax treaties. An individual who take up residence in Malta can receive their pensions in Malta free of tax at source, and subject to a mere 15% under the Global Residence Programme or the Retirement Programme.

Overseas capital funds invested locally are only taxed on interest or dividends generated at a 15% flat rate.

Permanent residents also benefit from double taxation agreements existing between Malta, most European countries, Canada, Australia and the USA, ensuring that tax is never paid twice upon the same income.

In addition Malta applies the following:


 * No inheritance tax
 * No estate duty
 * No wealth tax
 * No municipal taxes
 * No rates

Tax advantaged locations
Below is a list of countries which offer alternative tax regimes that may be beneficial to non-citizens.