Spain vs UK: tax rates and take-home pay (2026)
On €88,000 (about £75,499) you take home €58,403 in Spain and £54,346 in the UK (about €63,344) — the UK leaves you 8% more.
You keep more in the UK up to about €130,000, and more in Spain above that.
Take-home pay at eight salary levels
| Salary | Spain | UK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,011€22,000£18,875 | $20,456€17,993 | $22,673£17,110 | UK +11% |
| $39,791€35,000£30,028 | $30,499€26,827 | $33,312£25,139 | UK +9% |
| $60,255€53,000£45,471 | $43,188€37,988 | $48,047£36,259 | UK +11% |
| $79,582€70,000£60,056 | $54,758€48,165 | $60,147£45,390 | UK +10% |
| $100,045€88,000£75,499 | $66,397€58,403 | $72,015£54,346 | UK +8% |
| $147,794€130,000£111,533 | $93,549€82,286 | $96,654£72,940 | UK +3% |
| $204,638€180,000£154,430 | $125,872€110,717 | $124,077£93,635 | Spain +1% |
| $295,589€260,000£223,066 | $177,590€156,208 | $172,280£130,011 | Spain +3% |
Cost of living
Compare the cost of living in Barcelona and LondonMore comparisons
More for Spain
More for UK
Frequently asked questions
Is tax higher in Spain or the UK?
At €88,000, the UK takes less of your pay: you keep 72% there, against 66% in Spain.
What is the top tax rate in Spain and UK?
The top income tax rate is 45% in Spain and 45% in the UK.
How much do I take home on €88,000 in each?
On €88,000 (about £75,499) you take home €58,403 in Spain and £54,346 in the UK (about €63,344).
2026 rules checked against taxsummaries.pwc.com. Single person, employee, no other income. Not tax advice. Change the details