Inland Revenue (Double Taxation Relief and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income) (Kingdom of Spain) Order
(Enacting provision omitted—E.R. 2 of 2012)
[12 January 2012]
(Omitted as spent—E.R. 2 of 2012)
For the purposes of section 49(1A) of the Ordinance, it is declared—
that the arrangements specified in section 3(1) have been made with the Government of the Kingdom of Spain with a view to affording relief from double taxation in relation to income tax and any tax of a similar character imposed by the laws of the Kingdom; and
that it is expedient that those arrangements should have effect.
The arrangements specified for the purposes of section 2(a) are the arrangements in—
Articles 1 to 27 of the agreement titled “Agreement between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Spain for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income” (which title is translated into Chinese as “《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區與西班牙王國就收入稅項避免雙重課稅和防止逃稅協定》” in this Order), done in duplicate at Hong Kong on 1 April 2011 in the English and Spanish languages; and
Paragraphs 1 to 7 of the protocol to the agreement, done in duplicate at Hong Kong on 1 April 2011 in the English and Spanish languages.
The English text of the Articles referred to in subsection (1)(a) is reproduced in Part 1 of the Schedule and a Chinese translation of the Articles is also set out in that Part.
The English text of the Paragraphs referred to in subsection (1)(b) is reproduced in Part 2 of the Schedule and a Chinese translation of the Paragraphs is also set out in that Part.
CHAPTER ISCOPE OF THE AGREEMENTArticle 1Persons Covered
This Agreement shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of the Contracting Parties.
Article 2Taxes Covered
This Agreement shall apply to taxes on income imposed on behalf of a Contracting Party or of its political subdivisions or local authorities, irrespective of the manner in which they are levied.
There shall be regarded as taxes on income all taxes imposed on total income, or on elements of income, including taxes on gains from the alienation of movable or immovable property, taxes on the total amounts of wages or salaries paid by enterprises, as well as taxes on capital appreciation.
The existing taxes to which the Agreement shall apply are:
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:
profits tax;
salaries tax; and
property tax;
whether or not charged under personal assessment;
in the case of Spain:
the income tax on individuals;
the corporation tax;
the income tax on non residents; and
local taxes on income.
The Agreement shall apply also to any identical or substantially similar taxes that are imposed after the date of signature of the Agreement in addition to, or in place of, the existing taxes, as well as any other taxes falling within paragraphs 1 and 2 which a Contracting Party may impose in future. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall notify each other of any significant changes that have been made in their taxation laws.
CHAPTER IIDEFINITIONSArticle 3General Definitions
For the purposes of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
As regards the application of the Agreement at any time by a Contracting Party, any term not defined therein shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning that it has at that time under the law of that Party for the purposes of the taxes to which the Agreement applies, any meaning under the applicable tax laws of that Party prevailing over a meaning given to the term under other laws of that Party.
Article 4Resident
Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1, an individual is a resident of both Contracting Parties, then his status shall be determined as follows:
he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which he has a permanent home available to him; if he has a permanent home available to him in both Parties, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party with which his personal and economic relations are closer (“centre of vital interests”);
if the Party in which he has his centre of vital interests cannot be determined, or if he has not a permanent home available to him in either Party, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which he has an habitual abode;
if he has an habitual abode in both Parties or in neither of them, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which he has the right of abode (in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) or of which he is a national (in the case of Spain);
if he has the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and is also a national of Spain, or if he does not have the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region nor is he a national of Spain, the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall settle the question by mutual agreement.
Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1, a person other than an individual is a resident of both Contracting Parties, then it shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which its place of effective management is situated.
Article 5Permanent Establishment
A building site or construction or installation project constitutes a permanent establishment only if it lasts more than nine months.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, where a person – other than an agent of an independent status to whom paragraph 6 applies – is acting on behalf of an enterprise and has, and habitually exercises, in a Contracting Party an authority to conclude contracts in the name of the enterprise, that enterprise shall be deemed to have a permanent establishment in that Party in respect of any activities which that person undertakes for the enterprise, unless the activities of such person are limited to those mentioned in paragraph 4 which, if exercised through a fixed place of business, would not make this fixed place of business a permanent establishment under the provisions of that paragraph.
An enterprise shall not be deemed to have a permanent establishment in a Contracting Party merely because it carries on business in that Party through a broker, general commission agent or any other agent of an independent status, provided that such persons are acting in the ordinary course of their business.
The fact that a company which is a resident of a Contracting Party controls or is controlled by a company which is a resident of the other Contracting Party, or which carries on business in that other Party (whether through a permanent establishment or otherwise), shall not of itself constitute either company a permanent establishment of the other.
CHAPTER IIITAXATION OF INCOMEArticle 6Income from Immovable Property
Income derived by a resident of a Contracting Party from immovable property (including income from agriculture or forestry) situated in the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party.
Any property or right referred to in paragraph 2 shall be regarded as situated where the land, standing timber, mineral deposits, quarries, sources or natural resources are situated.
The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply to income derived from the direct use, letting, or use in any other form of immovable property.
Where the ownership of shares or other rights directly or indirectly entitles the owner of such shares or rights to the enjoyment of immovable property, the income derived from the direct use, letting or use in any other form of such right to the enjoyment may be taxed in the Contracting Party in which the immovable property is situated.
The provisions of paragraphs 1, 4 and 5 shall also apply to the income from immovable property of an enterprise.
Article 7Business Profits
The profits of an enterprise of a Contracting Party shall be taxable only in that Party unless the enterprise carries on business in the other Contracting Party through a permanent establishment situated therein. If the enterprise carries on business as aforesaid, the profits of the enterprise may be taxed in the other Party but only so much of them as is attributable to that permanent establishment.
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, where an enterprise of a Contracting Party carries on business in the other Contracting Party through a permanent establishment situated therein, there shall in each Contracting Party be attributed to that permanent establishment the profits which it might be expected to make if it were a distinct and separate enterprise engaged in the same or similar activities under the same or similar conditions and dealing wholly independently with the enterprise of which it is a permanent establishment.
In determining the profits of a permanent establishment, there shall be allowed as deductions expenses which are incurred for the purposes of the permanent establishment, including executive and general administrative expenses so incurred, whether in the Party in which the permanent establishment is situated or elsewhere.
Insofar as it has been customary in a Contracting Party to determine the profits to be attributed to a permanent establishment on the basis of an apportionment of the total profits of the enterprise to its various parts, or on the basis of such other method as may be prescribed by the laws of that Party, nothing in paragraph 2 shall preclude that Contracting Party from determining the profits to be taxed by such apportionment or other method; the method adopted shall, however, be such that the result shall be in accordance with the principles contained in this Article.
No profits shall be attributed to a permanent establishment by reason of the mere purchase by that permanent establishment of goods or merchandise for the enterprise.
For the purposes of the preceding paragraphs, the profits to be attributed to the permanent establishment shall be determined by the same method year by year unless there is good and sufficient reason to the contrary.
Where profits include items of income which are dealt with separately in other Articles of this Agreement, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be affected by the provisions of this Article.
Article 8Shipping and Air Transport
Profits of an enterprise of a Contracting Party from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic shall be taxable only in that Party.
The provisions of paragraph 1 shall also apply to profits from the participation in a pool, a joint business or an international operating agency.
Article 9Associated Enterprises
Where:
an enterprise of a Contracting Party participates directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of the other Contracting Party, or
the same persons participate directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of a Contracting Party and an enterprise of the other Contracting Party,
and in either case conditions are made or imposed between the two enterprises in their commercial or financial relations which differ from those which would be made between independent enterprises, then any profits which would, but for those conditions, have accrued to one of the enterprises, but, by reason of those conditions, have not so accrued, may be included in the profits of that enterprise and taxed accordingly.
Where a Contracting Party includes in the profits of an enterprise of that Party – and taxes accordingly – profits on which an enterprise of the other Contracting Party has been charged to tax in that other Party and the profits so included are profits which would have accrued to the enterprise of the first-mentioned Party if the conditions made between the two enterprises had been those which would have been made between independent enterprises, then that other Party shall make an appropriate adjustment to the amount of the tax charged therein on those profits. In determining such adjustment, due regard shall be had to the other provisions of this Agreement and for this purpose the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall if necessary consult each other.
Article 10Dividends
Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of a Contracting Party to a resident of the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party.
However, such dividends may also be taxed in the Contracting Party of which the company paying the dividends is a resident and according to the laws of that Party, but if the beneficial owner of the dividends is a resident of the other Contracting Party, the tax so charged shall not exceed:
0 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends if the beneficial owner is a company (other than a partnership) which holds directly at least 25 per cent of the capital of the company paying the dividends;
10 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends in all other cases.
The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall by mutual agreement settle the mode of application of these limitations.This paragraph shall not affect the taxation of the company in respect of the profits out of which the dividends are paid.
The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the dividends, being a resident of a Contracting Party, carries on business in the other Contracting Party of which the company paying the dividends is a resident through a permanent establishment situated therein and the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment. In such case the provisions of Article 7 shall apply.
Where a company which is a resident of a Contracting Party derives profits or income from the other Contracting Party, that other Party may not impose any tax on the dividends paid by the company, except insofar as such dividends are paid to a resident of that other Party or insofar as the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with a permanent establishment situated in that other Party, nor subject the company’s undistributed profits to a tax on the company’s undistributed profits, even if the dividends paid or the undistributed profits consist wholly or partly of profits or income arising in such other Party.
Article 11Interest
Interest arising in a Contracting Party and paid to a resident of the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party.
However, such interest may also be taxed in the Contracting Party in which it arises and according to the laws of that Party, but if the beneficial owner of the interest is a resident of the other Contracting Party, the tax so charged shall not exceed 5 per cent of the gross amount of the interest. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall by mutual agreement settle the mode of application of this limitation.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2, interest arising in a Contracting Party and paid to a resident of the other Contracting Party shall be taxable only in that other Party if the said resident is the beneficial owner of the interest and:
is that Contracting Party or the central bank, a political subdivision or local authority thereof;
the interest is paid by the Contracting Party in which the interest arises or by a political subdivision, a local authority or statutory body thereof;
the interest is paid in respect of a loan, debt-claim or credit that is owed to, or made, provided, guaranteed or insured by, that Contracting Party or a political subdivision, local authority or export facilitating agency thereof;
is a financial institution;
is a pension fund that is approved for tax purposes by that other Contracting Party and the income of that fund is generally exempt from tax in that other Party.
The provisions of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the interest, being a resident of a Contracting Party, carries on business in the other Contracting Party in which the interest arises through a permanent establishment situated therein and the debt-claim in respect of which the interest is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment. In such case the provisions of Article 7 shall apply.
Interest shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting Party when the payer is a resident of that Party. Where, however, the person paying the interest, whether he is a resident of a Contracting Party or not, has in a Contracting Party a permanent establishment in connection with which the indebtedness on which the interest is paid was incurred, and such interest is borne by such permanent establishment, then such interest shall be deemed to arise in the Party in which the permanent establishment is situated.
Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the interest exceeds, for whatever reasons, the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the beneficial owner in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In such case, the excess part of the payments shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting Party, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Agreement.
Article 12Royalties
Royalties arising in a Contracting Party and paid to a resident of the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party.
However, such royalties may also be taxed in the Contracting Party in which they arise and according to the laws of that Party, but if the beneficial owner of the royalties is a resident of the other Contracting Party, the tax so charged shall not exceed 5 per cent of the gross amount of the royalties. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall by mutual agreement settle the mode of application of this limitation.
The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the royalties, being a resident of a Contracting Party, carries on business in the other Contracting Party in which the royalties arise, through a permanent establishment situated therein and the right or property in respect of which the royalties are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment. In such case the provisions of Article 7 shall apply.
Royalties shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting Party when the payer is a resident of that Party. Where, however, the person paying the royalties, whether he is a resident of a Contracting Party or not, has in a Contracting Party a permanent establishment in connection with which the liability to pay the royalties was incurred, and such royalties are borne by such permanent establishment, then such royalties shall be deemed to arise in the Party in which the permanent establishment is situated.
Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the royalties exceeds, for whatever reasons, the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the beneficial owner in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In such case, the excess part of the payments shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting Party, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Agreement.
Article 13Capital Gains
Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting Party from the alienation of immovable property referred to in Article 6 and situated in the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party.
Gains from the alienation of movable property forming part of the business property of a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting Party has in the other Contracting Party, including such gains from the alienation of such a permanent establishment (alone or with the whole enterprise), may be taxed in that other Party.
Gains derived by an enterprise of a Contracting Party from the alienation of ships or aircraft operated in international traffic or movable property pertaining to the operation of such ships or aircraft shall be taxable only in that Party.
Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting Party from the alienation of shares or comparable interests deriving more than 50 per cent of their value directly or indirectly from immovable property situated in the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party. However, this paragraph does not apply to gains derived from the alienation of shares quoted on a stock exchange of either Contracting Party or any other stock exchange as may be agreed between the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties.
Gains from the alienation of shares or other rights, which directly or indirectly entitle the owner of such shares or rights to the enjoyment of immovable property situated in a Contracting Party, may be taxed in that Party.
Gains from the alienation of any property, other than that referred to in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, shall be taxable only in the Contracting Party of which the alienator is a resident.
Article 14Income from Employment
Subject to the provisions of Articles 15, 17 and 18, salaries, wages and other similar remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting Party in respect of an employment shall be taxable only in that Party unless the employment is exercised in the other Contracting Party. If the employment is so exercised, such remuneration as is derived therefrom may be taxed in that other Party.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting Party in respect of an employment exercised in the other Contracting Party shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned Party if:
the recipient is present in the other Party for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in any twelve-month period commencing or ending in the taxable period concerned, and
the remuneration is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a resident of the other Party, and
the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment which the employer has in the other Party.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, remuneration derived in respect of an employment exercised aboard a ship or aircraft operated in international traffic by an enterprise of a Contracting Party may be taxed in that Party.
Article 15Directors’ Fees
Directors’ fees and other similar payments derived by a resident of a Contracting Party in his capacity as a member of the board of directors of a company which is a resident of the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party.
Article 16Artistes and Sportsmen
Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 7 and 14, income derived by a resident of a Contracting Party as an entertainer, such as a theatre, motion picture, radio or television artiste, or a musician, or as a sportsman, from his personal activities as such exercised in the other Contracting Party, may be taxed in that other Party.
Where income in respect of personal activities exercised by an entertainer or a sportsman in his capacity as such accrues not to the entertainer or sportsman himself but to another person, that income may, notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 7 and 14, be taxed in the Contracting Party in which the activities of the entertainer or sportsman are exercised.
Article 17Pensions
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 18, pensions and other similar remuneration (including a lump sum payment) paid to a resident of a Contracting Party in consideration of past employment or self-employment shall be taxable only in that Party.
Article 18Government Service
Salaries, wages and other similar remuneration paid by a Contracting Party or a political subdivision or a local authority thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that Party or subdivision or authority shall be taxable only in that Party.
However, such salaries, wages and other similar remuneration shall be taxable only in the other Contracting Party if the services are rendered in that Party and the individual is a resident of that Party who:
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has the right of abode therein and in the case of Spain, is a national thereof; or
did not become a resident of that Party solely for the purpose of rendering the services.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, pensions (including a lump sum payment) and other similar remuneration paid by, or paid out of funds created or contributed by, a Contracting Party or a political subdivision or a local authority thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that Party or subdivision or authority shall be taxable only in that Party.
However, if the individual who rendered the services is a resident of the other Contracting Party and the case falls within subparagraph (b) of paragraph 1, any corresponding pension (whether a payment in lump sum or by instalments) shall be taxable only in that other Contracting Party.
The provisions of Articles 14, 15, 16 and 17 shall apply to salaries, wages, pensions (including a lump sum payment) and other similar remuneration in respect of services rendered in connection with a business carried on by a Contracting Party or a political subdivision or a local authority thereof.
Article 19Students
Payments which a student who is or was immediately before visiting a Contracting Party a resident of the other Contracting Party and who is present in the first-mentioned Party solely for the purpose of his education receives for the purpose of his maintenance or education shall not be taxed in that Party, provided that such payments arise from sources outside that Party.
Article 20Other Income
Items of income of a resident of a Contracting Party, wherever arising, not dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Agreement shall be taxable only in that Party.
The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply to income, other than income from immovable property as defined in paragraph 2 of Article 6, if the recipient of such income, being a resident of a Contracting Party, carries on business in the other Contracting Party through a permanent establishment situated therein and the right or property in respect of which the income is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment. In such case the provisions of Article 7 shall apply.
Alimony or other maintenance payment paid by a resident of a Contracting Party to a resident of the other Contracting Party shall, to the extent it is not allowable as a deduction to the payer in the first-mentioned Party, be taxable only in that Party.
CHAPTER IVMETHODS FOR ELIMINATION OF DOUBLE TAXATIONArticle 21Elimination of Double Taxation
Subject to the provisions of the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region relating to the allowance of a credit against Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax of tax paid in a jurisdiction outside the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (which shall not affect the general principle of this Article), Spanish tax paid under the laws of Spain and in accordance with this Agreement, whether directly or by deduction, in respect of income derived by a person who is a resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from sources in Spain, shall be allowed as a credit against Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax payable in respect of that income, provided that the credit so allowed does not exceed the amount of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax computed in respect of that income in accordance with the tax laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
In Spain, double taxation shall be avoided following either the provisions of its internal legislation or the following provisions in accordance with the internal legislation of Spain:
Where a resident of Spain derives income which, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, may be taxed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Spain shall allow:
as a deduction from the tax on the income of that resident, an amount equal to the income tax paid in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
the deduction of the underlying corporation tax in accordance with the internal legislation of Spain.
Such deduction shall not, however, exceed that part of the income tax, as computed before the deduction is given, which is attributable to the income which may be taxed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Where in accordance with any provision of the Agreement income derived by a resident of Spain is exempt from tax in Spain, Spain may nevertheless, in calculating the amount of tax on the remaining income of such resident, take into account the exempted income.
CHAPTER VSPECIAL PROVISIONSArticle 22Non-Discrimination
Persons who, in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, have the right of abode or are incorporated or otherwise constituted therein, and, in the case of Spain, are Spanish nationals, shall not be subjected in the other Contracting Party to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith, which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which persons who have the right of abode or are incorporated or otherwise constituted in that other Party (where that other Party is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) or nationals of that other Party (where that other Party is Spain) in the same circumstances, in particular with respect to residence, are or may be subjected. This provision shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 1, also apply to persons who are not residents of one or both of the Contracting Parties.
The taxation on a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting Party has in the other Contracting Party shall not be less favourably levied in that other Party than the taxation levied on enterprises of that other Party carrying on the same activities. This provision shall not be construed as obliging a Contracting Party to grant to residents of the other Contracting Party any personal allowances, reliefs and reductions for taxation purposes on account of civil status or family responsibilities which it grants to its own residents.
Except where the provisions of paragraph l of Article 9, paragraph 7 of Article 11, or paragraph 6 of Article 12, apply, interest, royalties and other disbursements paid by an enterprise of a Contracting Party to a resident of the other Contracting Party shall, for the purpose of determining the taxable profits of such enterprise, be deductible under the same conditions as if they had been paid to a resident of the first-mentioned Party.
Enterprises of a Contracting Party, the capital of which is wholly or partly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by one or more residents of the other Contracting Party, shall not be subjected in the first-mentioned Party to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which other similar enterprises of the first-mentioned Party are or may be subjected.
Article 23Mutual Agreement Procedure
Where a person considers that the actions of one or both of the Contracting Parties result or will result for him in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, he may, irrespective of the remedies provided by the domestic law of those Parties, present his case to the competent authority of the Contracting Party of which he is a resident or, if his case comes under paragraph 1 of Article 22, to that of the Contracting Party in which he has the right of abode or is incorporated or otherwise constituted (in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) or of which he is a national (in the case of Spain). The case must be presented within three years from the first notification of the action resulting in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
The competent authority shall endeavour, if the objection appears to it to be justified and if it is not itself able to arrive at a satisfactory solution, to resolve the case by mutual agreement with the competent authority of the other Contracting Party, with a view to the avoidance of taxation which is not in accordance with the Agreement. Any agreement reached shall be implemented notwithstanding any time limits in the domestic law of the Contracting Parties.
The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to resolve by mutual agreement any difficulties or doubts arising as to the interpretation or application of the Agreement. They may also consult together for the elimination of double taxation in cases not provided for in the Agreement.
The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties may communicate with each other directly for the purpose of reaching an agreement in the sense of the preceding paragraphs.
Article 24Exchange of Information
The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall exchange such information as is foreseeably relevant for carrying out the provisions of this Agreement or to the administration or enforcement of the domestic laws of the Contracting Parties concerning taxes covered by the Agreement, insofar as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to the Agreement. The exchange of information is not restricted by Article 1.
Any information received under paragraph 1 by a Contracting Party shall be treated as secret in the same manner as information obtained under the domestic laws of that Party and shall be disclosed only to persons or authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) concerned with the assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in relation to the taxes referred to in paragraph 1. Such persons or authorities shall use the information only for such purposes. They may disclose the information in public court proceedings or in judicial decisions. Information shall not be disclosed to any third jurisdiction for any purpose.
In no case shall the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 be construed so as to impose on a Contracting Party the obligation:
to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting Party;
to supply information which is not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting Party;
to supply information which would disclose any trade, business, industrial, commercial or professional secret or trade process, or information the disclosure of which would be contrary to public policy (ordre public).
If information is requested by a Contracting Party in accordance with this Article, the other Contracting Party shall use its information gathering measures to obtain the requested information, even though that other Party may not need such information for its own tax purposes. The obligation contained in the preceding sentence is subject to the limitations of paragraph 3 but in no case shall such limitations be construed to permit a Contracting Party to decline to supply information solely because it has no domestic interest in such information.
In no case shall the provisions of paragraph 3 be construed to permit a Contracting Party to decline to supply information solely because the information is held by a bank, other financial institution, nominee or person acting in an agency or a fiduciary capacity or because it relates to ownership interests in a person.
Article 25Members of Government Missions
Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the fiscal privileges of members of government missions, including consular posts, under the general rules of international law or under the provisions of special agreements.
CHAPTER VIFINAL PROVISIONSArticle 26Entry into Force
Each of the Contracting Parties shall notify the other in writing through appropriate channels that the internal procedures required by each Contracting Party for the entry into force of this Agreement have been complied with.
The Agreement shall enter into force after a period of three months following the date of receipt of the later of the notifications referred to in paragraph 1.
The provisions of the Agreement shall thereupon have effect:
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:
in respect of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax, for any year of assessment beginning on or after 1 April in the calendar year next following that in which the Agreement enters into force;
in Spain:
in respect of taxes withheld at source, on amounts paid or credited to non-residents, on or after 1 April in the calendar year next following that in which the Agreement enters into force;
in respect of other taxes, for taxation years beginning on or after 1 April in the calendar year next following that in which the Agreement enters into force; and
in all other cases, on or after 1 April in the calendar year next following that in which the Agreement enters into force.
Article 27Termination
This Agreement shall remain in force until terminated by a Contracting Party. Either Contracting Party may terminate the Agreement, through appropriate channels, by giving the other Contracting Party written notice of termination at least six months before the end of any calendar year beginning on or after the expiration of a period of five years from the date of its entry into force. In such event, the Agreement shall cease to have effect:
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:
in respect of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax, for any year of assessment beginning on or after 1 April in the calendar year next following that in which the notice is given;
in Spain:
in respect of taxes withheld at source, on amounts paid or credited to non-residents, on or after 1 April in the calendar year next following that in which the notice is given;
in respect of other taxes, for taxation years beginning on or after 1 April in the calendar year next following that in which the notice is given; and
in all other cases, on or after 1 April in the calendar year next following that in which the notice is given.
(Chinese Translation)第一章協定的範圍第一條所涵蓋的人
本協定適用於屬締約一方的居民或同時屬締約雙方的居民的人。
第二條所涵蓋的稅項
本協定適用於代締約方、其政治分部或地方當局課徵的收入稅項，不論該等稅項以何種方式徵收。
對總收入或收入的組成部分課徵的所有稅項，包括對得自轉讓動產或不動產的收益、企業支付的工資或薪金總額以及資本增值課徵的稅項，須視為收入稅項。
本協定適用於以下現有稅項：
就香港特別行政區而言：
利得稅；
薪俸稅；及
物業稅；
不論是否按個人入息課稅徵收；
就西班牙而言：
個人所得稅；
公司稅；
對非居民徵收的所得稅；及
地方徵收的收入稅項。
本協定亦適用於在本協定的簽訂日期後，在現有稅項以外課徵或為取代現有稅項而課徵的任何與現有稅項相同或實質上類似的稅項，以及適用於締約方將來課徵而又屬第1款及第2款所指的任何其他稅項。締約雙方的主管當局須將其稅務法律的任何重大改變，通知對方的主管當局。
第二章定義第三條一般定義
就本協定而言，除文意另有所指外：
在締約方於任何時候施行本協定時，凡有任何詞語在本協定中並無界定，則除文意另有所指外，該詞語須具有它當其時根據該方就本協定適用的稅項而施行的法律所具有的涵義，而在根據該方適用的稅務法律給予該詞語的涵義與根據該方的其他法律給予該詞語的涵義兩者中，以前者為準。
第四條居民
如任何個人因第1款的規定而同時屬締約雙方的居民，則該人的身分須按照以下規定斷定：
如該人在其中一方有可供他使用的永久性住所，則該人須當作只是該方的居民；如該人在雙方均有可供他使用的永久性住所，則該人須當作只是與其個人及經濟關係較為密切的一方(“重要利益中心”)的居民；
如無法斷定該人在哪一方有重要利益中心，或該人在任何一方均沒有可供他使用的永久性住所，則該人須當作只是他的慣常居所所在的一方的居民；
如該人在雙方均有或均沒有慣常居所，則該人須當作只是他擁有居留權(就香港特別行政區而言)的一方或他屬其國民(就西班牙而言)的一方的居民；
如該人既擁有香港特別行政區的居留權亦屬西班牙的國民，或該人既沒有香港特別行政區的居留權亦不屬西班牙的國民，則締約雙方的主管當局須共同協商解決該問題。
如並非個人的人因第1款的規定而同時屬締約雙方的居民，則該人須當作只是其實際管理工作地點所處的一方的居民。
第五條常設機構
建築工地或建築或安裝工程須持續超過九個月，才可構成常設機構。
儘管有第1款及第2款的規定，如某人(第6款適用的具獨立地位的代理人除外)代表某企業行事，並在某締約方擁有並慣常行使以該企業名義訂立合約的權限，則就該人為該企業所進行的任何活動而言，該企業須當作在該方設有常設機構，但如該人的活動局限於第4款所述的活動(假若該等活動透過固定營業場所進行，則根據該款的規定，該固定營業場所不會成為常設機構)，則屬例外。
凡某企業透過經紀、一般佣金代理人或任何其他具獨立地位的代理人在某締約方經營業務，則只要該等人士是在其業務的通常運作中行事的，該企業不得僅因它如此經營業務而被當作在該方設有常設機構。
即使屬某締約方的居民的某公司，控制屬另一締約方的居民的其他公司或在該另一締約方(不論是透過常設機構或以其他方式)經營業務的其他公司，或受上述任何一類其他公司所控制，此項事實本身並不會令上述其中一間公司成為另一間公司的常設機構。
第三章收入稅項第六條來自不動產的收入
某締約方的居民自位於另一締約方的不動產取得的收入(包括自農業或林業取得的收入)，可在該另一方徵稅。
第2款所提述的任何財產或權利，須視為位於有關土地、未伐的木材、礦藏、石礦、源頭或自然資源的所在地。
第1款的規定適用於自直接使用、出租或以任何其他形式使用不動產而取得的收入。
凡擁有任何股份或其他權利的人直接或間接因該項擁有權而有權享用不動產，則自直接使用、出租或以任何其他形式使用該項享用權而取得的收入，可在該不動產所在的締約方徵稅。
第1款、第4款及第5款的規定亦適用於來自企業的不動產的收入。
第七條營業利潤
某締約方的企業的利潤僅在該方徵稅，但如該企業透過位於另一締約方的常設機構在該另一方經營業務則除外。如該企業如前述般經營業務，其利潤可在該另一方徵稅，但以該等利潤中可歸因於該常設機構的部分為限。
在符合第3款的規定下，如某締約方的企業透過位於另一締約方的常設機構，在該另一方經營業務，則須在每一締約方將該常設機構在有關情況下可預計獲得的利潤歸因於該機構，上述有關情況是指假設該常設機構是一間可區分且獨立的企業，在相同或類似的條件下從事相同或類似的活動，並在完全獨立的情況下，與首述企業進行交易。
在斷定某常設機構的利潤時，為該常設機構的目的而招致的開支(包括如此招致的行政和一般管理開支)須容許扣除，不論該等開支是在該常設機構所處的一方或其他地方招致的。
如某締約方習慣上是按照將某企業的總利潤分攤予其不同部分的基準、或按照該方的法律訂明的其他方法的基準，而斷定須歸因於有關常設機構的利潤，則第2款並不阻止該締約方按此分攤方法或其他方法斷定該等應課稅的利潤；但採用的方法，須令所得結果符合本條所載的原則。
不得僅因為某常設機構為有關企業採購貨物或商品，而將利潤歸因於該常設機構。
就上述各款而言，除非有良好而充分的理由需要改變方法，否則每年須採用相同的方法斷定須歸因於有關常設機構的利潤。
如利潤包括在本協定其他條文另有規定的收入項目，該等條文的規定不受本條的規定影響。
第八條航運和空運
某締約方的企業自營運船舶或航空器從事國際運輸所得的利潤，僅在該方徵稅。
第1款的規定亦適用於來自參與聯營、聯合業務或國際營運機構的利潤。
第九條相聯企業
凡：
某締約方的企業直接或間接參與另一締約方的企業的管理、控制或資本，或
相同的人直接或間接參與某締約方的企業的和另一締約方的企業的管理、控制或資本，
而在上述任何一種情況下，該兩間企業之間在商業或財務關係上訂立或施加的條件，是有別於互相獨立的企業之間所訂立的條件的，則若非因該等條件便本應會產生而歸於其中一間企業、但因該等條件而未有產生而歸於該企業的利潤，可計算在該企業的利潤之內，並據此徵稅。
凡某締約方將某些利潤計算在該方的某企業的利潤之內，並據此徵稅，而另一締約方的某企業已在該另一方就該等被計算在內的利潤課稅，如假設上述兩間企業之間訂立的條件正如互相獨立的企業之間所訂立的條件一樣，該等被計算在內的利潤是會產生而歸於首述一方的該企業的，則該另一方須適當地調整其對該等利潤徵收的稅額。在釐定上述調整時，須充分顧及本協定的其他規定，而為此目的，締約雙方的主管當局在有必要的情況下須共同磋商。
第十條股息
由屬某締約方的居民的公司支付予另一締約方的居民的股息，可在該另一方徵稅。
然而，如支付股息的公司屬某締約方的居民，上述股息亦可在該締約方按照該方的法律徵稅，但如該等股息的實益擁有人是另一締約方的居民，則如此徵收的稅款不得超過：
(如該實益擁有人是一間公司(合夥除外)，而且直接持有支付股息的公司的股本至少百分之二十五)該等股息總額的百分之零；
(在所有其他情況下)該等股息總額的百分之十。
締約雙方的主管當局須藉雙方協商確定實施該等限制稅率的方式。如某公司從利潤中支付股息，本款並不影響就該等利潤對該公司徵稅。
凡就某股份支付的股息的實益擁有人是某締約方的居民，而支付該股息的公司則是另一締約方的居民，而該擁有人在該另一締約方內透過位於該另一方的常設機構經營業務，且持有該股份是與該常設機構有實際關連的，則第1款及第2款的規定並不適用。在此情況下，第七條的規定適用。
如某公司是某締約方的居民，並自另一締約方取得利潤或收入，則該另一方不得對該公司就某股份支付的股息徵稅(但在有關股息是支付予該另一方的居民的範圍內，或在持有該股份是與位於該另一方的常設機構有實際關連的範圍內，則屬例外)，而即使支付的股息或未派發利潤的全部或部分，是在該另一方產生的利潤或收入，該另一方亦不得對該公司的未派發利潤徵收未派發利潤的稅項。
第十一條利息
產生於某締約方而支付予另一締約方的居民的利息，可在該另一方徵稅。
然而，在某締約方產生的上述利息，亦可在該締約方按照該方的法律徵稅，但如該等利息的實益擁有人是另一締約方的居民，則如此徵收的稅款不得超過該等利息總額的百分之五。締約雙方的主管當局須藉雙方協商確定實施該限制稅率的方式。
儘管有第2款的規定，如產生於某締約方的利息是支付予另一締約方的居民的，而該居民是該利息的實益擁有人，則在以下情況下，該利息只可在該另一方徵稅︰
該居民是該締約方或其中央銀行、政治分部或地方當局；
該利息是由該利息產生所在的締約方或其政治分部、地方當局或法定團體支付的；
該利息是就該締約方或其政治分部、地方當局或促進出口機構被虧欠或所作出、提供、擔保或投保的貸款、債權或信貸而支付的；
該居民是金融機構；
該居民是獲該另一締約方為稅務目的而認可的退休基金，而且該基金的收入一般是在該另一方獲免稅的。
凡就某項債權支付的利息的實益擁有人是某締約方的居民，並在該利息產生所在的另一締約方內，透過位於該另一方的常設機構經營業務，而該債權是與該常設機構有實際關連的，則第1款、第2款及第3款的規定並不適用。在此情況下，第七條的規定適用。
如就某項債務支付利息的人是某締約方的居民，則該利息須當作是在該方產生。但如支付利息的人在某締約方設有常設機構(不論他是否某締約方的居民)，而該債務是在與該常設機構有關連的情況下招致的，且該利息是由該常設機構負擔的，則該利息須當作是在該常設機構所在的一方產生。
凡因支付人與實益擁有人之間或他們兩人與某其他人之間的特殊關係，以致所支付的利息的款額，無論因何理由屬超出支付人與實益擁有人在沒有上述關係時會議定的款額，則本條的規定只適用於該會議定的款額。在此情況下，多付的部分仍須在充分顧及本協定的其他規定下，按照每一締約方的法律徵稅。
第十二條特許權使用費
產生於某締約方而支付予另一締約方的居民的特許權使用費，可在該另一方徵稅。
然而，在某締約方產生的上述特許權使用費，亦可在該締約方按照該方的法律徵稅，但如該等特許權使用費的實益擁有人是另一締約方的居民，則如此徵收的稅款不得超過該等特許權使用費總額的百分之五。締約雙方的主管當局須藉雙方協商確定實施該限制稅率的方式。
凡就某權利或財產支付的特許權使用費的實益擁有人是某締約方的居民，並在該特許權使用費產生所在的另一締約方內，透過位於該另一方的常設機構經營業務，而該權利或財產是與該常設機構有實際關連的，則第1款及第2款的規定並不適用。在此情況下，第七條的規定適用。
如支付特許權使用費的人是某締約方的居民，則該特許權使用費須當作是在該方產生。但如支付特許權使用費的人在某締約方設有常設機構(不論他是否某締約方的居民)，而支付該特許權使用費的法律責任，是在與該常設機構有關連的情況下招致的，且該特許權使用費是由該常設機構負擔的，則該特許權使用費須當作是在該常設機構所在的一方產生。
凡因支付人與實益擁有人之間或他們兩人與某其他人之間的特殊關係，以致所支付的特許權使用費的款額，無論因何理由屬超出支付人與實益擁有人在沒有上述關係時會議定的款額，則本條的規定只適用於該會議定的款額。在此情況下，多付的部分仍須在充分顧及本協定的其他規定下，按照每一締約方的法律徵稅。
第十三條資本收益
某締約方的居民自轉讓位於另一締約方並屬第六條所提述的不動產所得的收益，可在該另一方徵稅。
如某動產屬某常設機構的業務財產的一部分，而該常設機構是某締約方的企業在另一締約方設立的，則自轉讓該動產所得的收益，包括自轉讓該常設機構(單獨或隨同整個企業)所得的收益，可在該另一方徵稅。
某締約方的企業自轉讓被營運從事國際運輸的船舶或航空器所得的收益，或自轉讓與上述船舶或航空器的營運有關的動產所得的收益，只可在該方徵稅。
如某締約方的居民自轉讓股份或相當於股份的權益而取得收益，而該等股份或權益超過百分之五十的價值是直接或間接來自位於另一締約方的不動產的，則該收益可在該另一方徵稅。然而，本款不適用於自轉讓在締約任何一方的證券交易所(或締約雙方的主管當局議定的任何其他證券交易所)上市的股份而取得的收益。
凡擁有任何股份或其他權利的人直接或間接因該等股份或權利而有權享用位於某締約方的不動產，則自轉讓該等股份或權利所得的收益，只可在該方徵稅。
凡有關轉讓人是某締約方的居民，自轉讓第1款、第2款、第3款、第4款及第5款所提述的財產以外的任何財產所得的收益，只可在該方徵稅。
第十四條來自受僱工作的入息
除第十五條、第十七條及第十八條另有規定外，某締約方的居民自受僱工作取得的薪金、工資及其他類似報酬，只可在該方徵稅，但如受僱工作是在另一締約方進行則除外。如受僱工作是在另一締約方進行，則自該受僱工作取得的報酬可在該另一方徵稅。
儘管有第1款的規定，某締約方的居民自於另一締約方進行的受僱工作而取得的報酬如符合以下條件，則只可在首述的一方徵稅：
收款人在於有關的課稅期內開始或結束的任何十二個月的期間中，在該另一方的逗留期間(如多於一段期間則可累計)不超過183天，及
該報酬由一名並非該另一方的居民的僱主支付，或由他人代該僱主支付，及
該報酬並非由該僱主在該另一方所設的常設機構所負擔。
儘管有本條上述各款的規定，自於某締約方的企業所營運從事國際運輸的船舶或航空器上進行受僱工作而取得的報酬，可在該方徵稅。
第十五條董事酬金
某締約方的居民以其作為屬另一締約方的居民的公司的董事會的成員身分所取得的董事酬金及其他同類付款，可在該另一方徵稅。
第十六條藝人及運動員
儘管有第七條及第十四條的規定，某締約方的居民作為演藝人員(例如戲劇、電影、電台或電視藝人，或樂師)或作為運動員在另一締約方以上述身分進行其個人活動所取得的收入，可在該另一方徵稅。
演藝人員或運動員以其演藝人員或運動員的身分在某締約方進行個人活動所取得的收入，如並非歸於該演藝人員或運動員本人，而是歸於另一人，則儘管有第七條及第十四條的規定，該收入可在該締約方徵稅。
第十七條退休金
除第十八條第2款另有規定外，因過往的受僱工作或過往的自僱工作而支付予某締約方的居民的退休金及其他類似報酬(包括整筆付款)，只可在該方徵稅。
第十八條政府服務
某締約方、其政治分部或地方當局就提供予該方、分部或當局的服務而向任何個人支付的薪金、工資及其他類似報酬，只可在該方徵稅。
然而，如上述服務是在另一締約方提供，而該個人屬該另一方的居民，並且：
就香港特別行政區而言，擁有香港特別行政區的居留權；而就西班牙而言，屬西班牙的國民；或
不是純粹為提供該等服務而成為該另一方的居民，
則該等薪金、工資及其他類似報酬只可在該另一方徵稅。
儘管有第1款的規定，某締約方、其政治分部或地方當局就提供予該方、分部或當局的服務而向任何個人支付的退休金(包括整筆付款)及其他類似報酬，或就上述服務而從該方、分部或當局所設立或供款的基金支付予任何個人的退休金(包括整筆付款)及其他類似報酬，只可在該方徵稅。
然而，如提供上述服務的個人屬另一締約方的居民，且情況符合第1款(b)段所述，則相應的退休金(不論是整筆支付或分期支付)只可在該另一締約方徵稅。
第十四條、第十五條、第十六條及第十七條的規定，適用於就在與某締約方、其政治分部或地方當局所經營的業務有關連的情況下提供的服務而取得的薪金、工資、退休金(包括整筆付款)及其他類似報酬。
第十九條學生
如學生在緊接前往某締約方之前是或曾是另一締約方的居民，而他逗留在首述一方純粹是為了接受教育，則該學生為了維持其生活或教育的目的而收取的款項，如是在首述一方以外的來源產生，則不得在該方徵稅。
第二十條其他收入
某締約方的居民的各項收入無論在何處產生，如在本協定中在本條之前的各條中未有規定，均只可在該方徵稅。
凡就某權利或財產支付的收入(來自第六條第2款所界定的不動產的收入除外)的收款人是某締約方的居民，並在另一締約方內透過位於該另一方的常設機構經營業務，且該權利或財產是與該常設機構有實際關連的，則第1款的規定不適用於該收入。在此情況下，第七條的規定適用。
由某締約方的居民支付予另一締約方的居民的生活費或其他贍養費，在該等款項於首述一方不容許作為付款人的稅項扣除的範圍內，只可在該方徵稅。
第四章消除雙重課稅的方法第二十一條消除雙重課稅
在不抵觸香港特別行政區的法律中關乎容許在香港特別行政區以外的管轄區繳付的稅項用作抵免香港特別行政區稅項的規定(該等規定並不影響本條的一般性原則)的情況下，如已根據西班牙的法律和按照本協定，就屬香港特別行政區居民的人自西班牙的來源取得的收入繳付西班牙稅項，則不論是直接繳付或以扣除的方式繳付，所繳付的西班牙稅項須容許用作抵免就該收入而須繳付的香港特別行政區稅項，但如此獲容許抵免的款額，不得超過按照香港特別行政區的稅務法律就該收入計算所得的香港特別行政區稅項的款額。
在西班牙，雙重課稅須依循其內部法例的規定避免，或依循以下規定而按照西班牙的內部法例避免：
如某西班牙居民取得的收入按照本協定的規定是可在香港特別行政區徵稅的，西班牙須容許︰
在就該居民的收入徵收的稅項中，扣除相當於已在香港特別行政區繳付的入息稅的款額；
按照西班牙的內部法例扣除相關公司稅。
然而，該等扣除不得超過在扣除前計算的入息稅中可歸因於可在香港特別行政區徵稅的收入的部分。
凡按照本協定的任何規定，西班牙的某居民所取得的收入獲豁免無須在西班牙徵稅，西班牙在計算該居民其餘收入的稅項的款額時，仍可將獲豁免的收入計算在內。
第五章特別條文第二十二條反歧視條文
任何人如就香港特別行政區而言擁有該處的居留權或在該處成立為法團或以其他方式組成，而就西班牙而言屬西班牙國民，則該人在另一締約方不得受符合以下說明的任何課稅或與之有關連的任何規定所規限：該課稅是有別於在該另一方(如該另一方是香港特別行政區)擁有該處的居留權或在該處成立為法團或以其他方式組成的人，或有別於屬該另一方(如該另一方是西班牙)的國民，在相同情況下(尤其是在居住方面)須受或可受的課稅及與之有關連的規定所規限，或較之為嚴苛。儘管有第一條的規定，本規定亦適用於並非締約一方或雙方的居民的人。
某締約方的企業設於另一締約方的常設機構在該另一方的課稅待遇，不得遜於進行相同活動的該另一方的企業的課稅待遇。凡某締約方以公民身分或家庭責任的理由，而為課稅的目的授予其本身的居民任何個人免稅額、稅務寬免及扣減，本條的規定不得解釋為使該締約方有責任將該免稅額、稅務寬免及扣減授予另一締約方的居民。
除第九條第1款、第十一條第7款或第十二條第6款的規定適用的情況外，某締約方的企業支付予另一締約方的居民的利息、特許權使用費及其他支出，為斷定該企業的須課稅利潤的目的，須根據相同的條件而可予扣除，猶如該等款項是支付予首述一方的居民一樣。
如某締約方的企業的資本的全部或部分，是由另一締約方的一名或多於一名居民直接或間接擁有或控制，則該企業在首述一方不得受符合以下說明的任何課稅或與之有關連的任何規定所規限：該課稅是有別於首述一方的其他類似企業須受或可受的課稅及與之有關連的規定所規限，或較之為嚴苛。
第二十三條雙方協商程序
如任何人認為任何締約方或締約雙方的行動導致或將導致對他作出不符合本協定規定的課稅時，則無論該等締約方的當地法律的補救辦法如何，該人如屬某締約方的居民，可將其個案呈交該締約方的主管當局；如其個案屬第二十二條第1款的情況，而他擁有某締約方的居留權或在某締約方成立為法團或以其他方式組成(就香港特別行政區而言)，或他屬某締約方的國民(就西班牙而言)，則他可將其個案呈交該締約方的主管當局。該個案必須於就導致不符合本協定規定課稅的行動發出首次通知之時起計的三年內呈交。
如有關主管當局覺得所提反對屬有理可據，而它不能獨力達致令人滿意的解決方案，它須致力與另一締約方的主管當局共同協商解決該個案，以避免不符合本協定的課稅。任何達成的協議均須予以執行，不論締約雙方的當地法律所設的時限為何。
締約雙方的主管當局須致力共同協商，解決就本協定的詮釋或適用而產生的任何困難或疑問。締約雙方的主管當局亦可共同磋商，以消除在本協定沒有對之作出規定的雙重課稅。
締約雙方的主管當局可為達成以上各款條文所述的協議而直接與對方聯絡。
第二十四條資料交換
締約雙方的主管當局須交換可預見攸關實施本協定的規定或施行或強制執行締約雙方關乎本協定所涵蓋的稅項的當地法律的規定(但以根據該等法律作出的課稅不違反本協定者為限)的資料。該項資料交換不受第一條的規定所限制。
某締約方根據第1款收到的任何資料須保密處理，其方式須與處理根據該方的當地法律而取得的資料相同，該資料只可向與第1款所提述的稅項的評估或徵收、執行或檢控有關，或與關乎該等稅項的上訴的裁決有關的人員或當局(包括法院及行政機關)披露。該等人員或當局只可為該等目的使用該資料。他們可在公眾法庭的法律程序中或在司法裁定中披露該資料。不得為任何目的向任何第三司法管轄區披露資料。
在任何情況下，第1款及第2款的規定均不得解釋為向某締約方施加採取以下行動的責任：
實施有異於該締約方或另一締約方的法律及行政慣例的行政措施；
提供根據該締約方或另一締約方的法律或在該締約方或另一締約方的正常行政運作過程中不能獲取的資料；
提供會將任何貿易、業務、工業、商業或專業秘密或貿易程序披露的資料，或提供若遭披露即屬違反公共政策的資料。
如某締約方按照本條請求提供資料，則即使另一締約方未必為其本身的稅務目的而需要該等資料，該另一方仍須以其收集資料措施取得所請求的資料。前述句子所載的責任須受第3款的限制所規限，但在任何情況下，該等限制不得解釋為容許某締約方純粹因資料對其本土利益無關而拒絕提供該等資料。
在任何情況下，第3款的規定不得解釋為容許某締約方純粹因資料是由銀行、其他金融機構、代名人或以代理人或受信人身分行事的人所持有，或純粹因資料關乎某人的擁有權權益，而拒絕提供該等資料。
第二十五條政府代表團成員
本協定並不影響政府代表團(包括領館)成員根據國際法的一般規則或特別協定規定享有的財政特權。
第六章最後條文第二十六條協定的生效
每一締約方均須經適當渠道，書面通知對方，每一締約方對本協定生效而要求的內部程序已獲遵從。
本協定自收到第1款所提述的通知中的較後一份的日期後的三個月之後開始生效。
本協定的規定：
在香港特別行政區：
就香港特別行政區稅項而言，對在本協定生效的公曆年的翌年4月1日或之後開始的任何課稅年度具有效力；
在西班牙：
就在來源預扣的稅項而言，對在本協定生效的公曆年的翌年4月1日或之後支付予非居民或存入非居民貸方賬戶的款額具有效力；
就其他稅項而言，對在本協定生效的公曆年的翌年4月1日或之後開始的稅務年度具有效力；及
在所有其他情況下，在本協定生效的公曆年的翌年4月1日或之後具有效力。
第二十七條終止協定
本協定維持有效，直至被任何締約方終止為止。任何締約方均可在本協定生效日期起的五年屆滿當日或之後開始的任何公曆年完結的最少六個月之前，經適當渠道，向另一締約方發出書面終止通知，終止本協定。在該情況下：
在香港特別行政區：
本協定就香港特別行政區稅項而言，不再對在有關通知發出的公曆年的翌年4月1日或之後開始的任何課稅年度具有效力；
在西班牙：
本協定就在來源預扣的稅項而言，不再對在有關通知發出的公曆年的翌年4月1日或之後支付予非居民或存入非居民貸方賬戶的款額具有效力；
本協定就其他稅項而言，不再對在有關通知發出的公曆年的翌年4月1日或之後開始的稅務年度具有效力；及
在所有其他情況下，本協定在有關通知發出的公曆年的翌年4月1日或之後不再具有效力。
Nothing in the Agreement shall prevent each Contracting Party from applying its domestic laws and measures (including anti-abuse provisions) concerning tax avoidance, whether or not described as such.
Ad Articles 10, 11, 12, 13 and 20
The provisions of Articles 10, 11, 12, 13 and 20 shall not apply if it was the main purpose or one of the main purposes of any person concerned with the creation or assignment of shares or other rights in respect of which the dividends are paid, the creation or assignment of debt-claim in respect of which the interest is paid, the creation or assignment of rights in respect of which the royalties are paid, the alienation of property out of which the gains are made, the creation or assignment of rights in respect of which income is paid to take advantage of these Articles by means of that creation or assignment.
Ad Article 11
Ad Article 18(2)(a)
It is understood that “funds contributed by” refers to payments that may be made by a Contracting Party to pension schemes recognized for tax purposes in that Contracting Party for the purpose of providing for retirement benefits for individuals who render services to that Party.
Ad Article 24
Each Contracting Party shall ensure that its competent authority for the purposes specified in Article 24 (Exchange of Information) has the authority to obtain and provide upon request information regarding the legal and beneficial ownership of any person.
The competent authority of a Contracting Party shall forward the requested information as promptly as possible to the other Contracting Party.
In the case of Spain, should any appeal be made against the decision of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region concerning the transmission of the information to Spain, any delay derived therefore will not be considered in computing the applicable time-limits established by the Tax Legislation in Spain concerning tax administration proceedings.
Ad Article 25
It is understood that the term “government missions” means, in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Economic and Trade Office, and in the case of Spain, diplomatic missions and consular posts.
(Chinese Translation)
本協定並不妨礙每一締約方應用其關於規避繳稅的當地法律及措施(包括打擊濫用的規定)，不論其稱謂是否如此。
就第十條、第十一條、第十二條、第十三條及第二十條而言
如產生或轉讓以下各項所關乎的任何人，即產生或轉讓孳生股息的股份或其他權利、產生或轉讓孳生利息的債權、產生或轉讓孳生特許權使用費的權利、轉讓財產而取得收益，以及產生或轉讓孳生收入的權利，其主要目的或其中一個主要目的，是藉着該等產生或轉讓而自第十條、第十一條、第十二條、第十三條或第二十條獲益，則上述條文的規定並不適用。
就第十一條而言
就第十八條第(2)款(a)段而言
按締約雙方理解，“供款的基金”一詞指某締約方為了向提供服務予該方的個人提供退休福利，因而對在該方為稅務目的而認可的退休金計劃作出的付款。
就第二十四條而言
每一締約方均須確保其主管當局(就第二十四條(資料交換)所指明的目的而言者)有權限取得及應請求而提供關於任何人的法律及實益擁有權的資料。
締約方的主管當局須盡速向另一締約方送交所請求的資料。
就西班牙而言，如有人針對香港特別行政區政府關於傳送資料至西班牙的決定而提出任何上訴，則因此而產生的任何延遲，均不會在計算適用的時限(即由西班牙的稅務法例訂立的關於稅務行政程序的時限)時予以考慮。
就第二十五條而言
按締約雙方理解，“政府代表團”一詞就香港特別行政區而言，指經濟貿易辦事處，而就西班牙而言，則指使館和領館。