Cross Border Wealth Advisors

10/19/2026

Should you keep Medicare while living in Spain?

Medicare generally does not pay for care you receive outside the United States. So the real question is not whether it covers you in Spain, but whether to keep paying for it, given the late enrollment penalties if you ever come back.

I wrote an article that explains how to think through the decision.

Read the article: https://cbwealthadvisors.com/resources/should-i-keep-my-medicare-coverage-while-abroad/

General educational information only, not individual advice.

10/06/2026

New on the blog: The US Spain Tax Treaty Explained: Who Taxes What. If you are an American living in Spain, this is the document that decides which country gets to tax which kind of income. It also has a saving clause that changes the answer for US citizens, and two big things it does not cover. The article walks through what the treaty allocates income type by income type, where relief actually comes from, and what falls outside it.

How the US Spain tax treaty allocates each type of income, what the saving clause does to that answer for US citizens, and what the treaty does not cover at all.

09/28/2026

One of the most common questions I get from Americans planning a move to Spain: is my Roth IRA still tax-free once I live there?

Short answer: not in Spain. Spain is not obliged to honor a tax break that exists only in US law, and the US-Spain treaty does not close that gap the way the UK and France treaties do.

A few things that surprise people:

- Withdrawals can create Spanish tax even when the IRS sees nothing to tax.
- Spanish rulings do not agree on how a Roth distribution should be taxed.
- The account counts toward the Spanish wealth tax and is reportable on Modelo 720.
- Roth conversions done after Spanish residency begins are taxable in Spain too.

If a Roth is a big part of your retirement plan, it is worth looking at before you choose a residency date, not after.

The full article:
https://cbwealthadvisors.com/resources/the-roth-ira-in-spain-what-americans-get-wrong-before-they-move/

This is general education, not advice for your situation.

How a Roth IRA in Spain is actually taxed: what Spain recognizes, what it does not, and what to weigh before you move or convert.

09/23/2026

Moving out of California is easy. Proving you left, to California's satisfaction, is the part people underestimate.

The Franchise Tax Board does not treat a forwarding address as an answer. It applies a facts and circumstances test, and the burden of proof sits with you rather than with the state.

I wrote up what actually breaks California residency, since I go through this with clients regularly.

If you're leaving California for Spain, feel free to reach out before you file anything.

How California decides whether you are still a resident after you move to Spain, what stays taxable, and the evidence that settles it.

09/23/2026

Most Americans with real assets have an estate plan already, usually a revocable living trust, a pour-over will, and a set of beneficiary designations.

In California that structure works well. Very little of it survives the move to Spain intact, and this is not a small technical footnote, since Spain has its own forced heirship rules that can override what your documents say.

I wrote up what actually does and doesn't travel with you.

If your estate plan was built for the US only, feel free to reach out.

Why a US revocable trust does not work in Spain, how forced heirship and Spanish inheritance tax apply, and what to fix before you move.

09/23/2026

Spain taxes distributions from a traditional US 401(k) as employment income at progressive rates, not as a capital gain.

That single difference changes the math on cashing one out while you live here. I wrote up the direct versus indirect transfer distinction, what the treaty actually does for you, and the sequencing decisions that are still open once you've made the move.

If you're thinking about a withdrawal, it's worth checking the sequencing first. Feel free to reach out.

How Spain taxes 401k and IRA distributions, why a direct transfer is safe and an indirect rollover is not, and the sequencing decisions to make before you move.

09/23/2026

In almost every call I have with someone retiring to Spain, the same question comes up: which account do I take money from first, and when do I start Social Security?

The usual US answer (taxable account first, then the IRA, Roth last) was built for US tax rates. Spain changes the math:

- IRA and 401(k) withdrawals go into the general base, taxed at progressive rates that top out between about 45% and 54% depending on the region.
- Selling investments in a brokerage account is taxed only on the gain, at 19% to 30%.
- Spain does not treat the Roth as tax-free.
- Social Security is taxed by both countries.

That's why the years between retiring and your first RMD matter so much, and why several of the best moves only work before your first year of Spanish residency.

I wrote up how each source is taxed and the questions I work through with clients, in order:
https://cbwealthadvisors.com/resources/retirement-withdrawal-order-spain/

This is general education, not advice for your situation.

09/23/2026

If you're an American living in Spain, or planning the move, you're dealing with two tax systems at once: U.S. filing obligations that follow you abroad, and Spanish rules such as IRPF, Modelo 720 and the wealth tax.

Cross Border Wealth Advisors (CBWA) is a fee-only fiduciary firm founded specifically for this situation. We help with financial planning, investment management, and coordination between your U.S. and Spanish tax preparers.

If you'd like to see whether we're a good fit, you can book a free 20-minute introductory call here: https://calendly.com/cbwa/intro

Victor Gersten, EA, CFP®, MS, MPAS™

The introductory call is a 20-minute fit conversation to determine whether Cross Border Wealth Advisors (CBWA) is the right partner for your situation. CBWA is a fee-only, state-registered fiduciary investment adviser specializing in financial planning, investment management, and cross-border tax

12/04/2024

Managing your finances abroad can be complex, but with the right guidance, you can secure your future. Check out one of our latest blogs for expert tips on navigating tax laws, retirement planning, and more!

You’ve moved to a new country and you are faced with challenges left and right. Every day, you tackle something new. But there is one challenge that is one of the most important because your livelihood depends on it: your finances.  When you navigate the financial landscape as an expat, you’ll ...

11/27/2024

Whether you're already living the expat life in Spain or planning your big move, financial planning is key to a smooth transition! Check out our latest blog where we explore how retirees can optimize their financial portfolios while embracing the European lifestyle. From understanding tax advantages to navigating local investment opportunities, we've got you covered.

You have decided to move to Europe and begin a life anew. It is something that you’ve been thinking of ever since you planned out when you were going to retire. Of course, there will be challenges along the way when you move to a new country. Your finances are one of the most important ... Read mo...