Spain to remove Gibraltar from tax haven blacklist based on new pact with UK

Sarhan Basem
Gibraltar, United Kingdom, 1st October 2018:- View from the top of the Rock into Spain, with the flags of Gibraltar, UK and EU flying. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory.

Brussels (Brussels Morning) Spain will remove Gibraltar from its tax haven blacklist based on an agreement with the UK on tax cooperation that came into force earlier this month, El Pais reported on Tuesday.

The unprecedented treaty, published in Spain’s Official Gazette on Saturday, aims to make sure Gibraltar will apply EU-equivalent legislation when it comes to tax transparency and the fight against money laundering, despite the UK’s departure from the EU.

Tax residents

The agreement also aims to reinforce cooperation and information exchange between the Spanish and British authorities to prevent Gibraltar, legally a British Overseas Territory, from attracting Spanish tax evaders. The treaty sets clear rules on which persons and companies will be considered tax residents in Spain. Exceptions will be made, however, for legal entities incorporated in Gibraltar prior to 16 November 2018.

The EU and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) had lready removed Gibraltar from their list of “non-cooperative jurisdictions”, but Spain retained Gibraltar on its own tax haven blacklist, which was originally set up in 1991.

Schengen area

According to Spanish diplomatic sources, the new agreement complements the preliminary agreement reached on 31 December last year, to let Gibraltar join the Schengen area, the details of which are still being ironed out by London and Brussels. The ultimate goal should be to bring Gibraltar’s legislation into line with Spain’s on import duties, value-added tax and special excises.

Gibraltar, a small territory at the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula, was ceded to Britain in 1713 during the War of Spanish Succession. Disputes over sovereignty and jurisdiction remain to this day, though previously eased by both Spain and the UK being EU members. Residents of Gibraltar overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU in the Brexit referendum, opening a new set of contentious problems for London when dealing with its Overseas Territory.

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Sarhan Basem is Brussels Morning's Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful commentary and in-depth coverage. Beyond the world of journalism, Sarhan is an avid traveler, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and enjoys unwinding with a good book or indulging in outdoor adventures whenever possible.
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