Hi all

Hi all new to the site doing a lot of research regarding living in Spain I have many questions. Our friends are buying a country house with a casita they want me to do the work on both houses and when complete live their rent free but pay for utilities. I,m unsure regarding tax etc, healthcare as my wife has health problems. Do I need to register as I,m not actually earning any money so any hep would be grate full cheets

If you reside in Spain for more than 183 days in a year you are classed as resident whether working unpaid or paid. You will need to register. As for healthcare, if you are under retirement age you would not be entitled to state healthcare and will have to take out private health insurance as you would not be covered on your EHIC card. If I am wrong on any of these points I am sure someone on here will correct me. We intended to move permanently to Spain but as my wife has developed severe health problems (but not registered disabled), since we bought our place, we have decided to stay under the 183 days per year

Camperman:- 

Just to clarify:-

1  If you move to Spain intending to either formally work here, or to live here for longer than a total  183 in a year,  or  make your main residence here,   then you must register on the EU Citizen Register immediately.

2   If you just come as a visitor but then stay permanently for 3 months or more you must register.

3  If you stay for 183 total in a year then you must register.

In cases 1 and 3 you are also tax resident,  and possiblly in case 2 also.

PS  You could of course lie and hope not to get caught.

Do I need to register as I,m not actually earning any money

Living there rent free would be classed as a benifit in kind so to do things properly you would need to submit a tax return - 1000's wouldn't  I'm sure 

A friend of mine who works in a charity shop is having a battle with Hacienda because they cannot understand the concept of somebody working for nothing