Chartered Accountants◆Practising since 2016

Spain to India · Secondees

Spanish staff working in India: tax and social security

CA Utsav Dogra, Chartered Accountant, ICAI M. No. 542375 · Updated

In brief

Spanish staff in India are taxed in India on salary for Indian work unless the treaty's short-stay conditions are met. India has no social security agreement in force with this country, so a foreign national posted to India generally contributes to Indian provident fund as an international worker on full salary.

What is specific to Spanish companies

No India–Spain social security agreement is in operation, so Spanish staff generally contribute to Indian provident fund. Spain exempts income from work abroad up to EUR 60,100 a year if its conditions are met.

Tax on secondees

QuestionUsual answer
Indian tax on salary for Indian work?Yes, unless all treaty short-stay conditions are met
Indian provident fund?Yes, as an international worker on full pay
Shadow payroll needed?Yes, if salary stays on the home payroll

Our services

How SU and Company helps

We set up and run Indian payroll, including for staff sent from abroad.

  • PF, ESI and state registrations
  • Salary structures under the labour codes
  • Monthly payroll, TDS and returns
  • Shadow payroll and Indian tax for secondees
  • Certificates of coverage and international worker PF

Questions

Is salary paid abroad taxable in India?

Salary for work done in India is generally taxable in India wherever it is paid.

General information as at 5 November 2026, not advice for a particular case. Indian and Spanish rules change often; confirm the current position before acting. Spanish law points should be confirmed with a Spanish adviser.

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