Taxman hands out €300 to gym-goers

April 24, 2025

Spanish taxpayers got a surprise six-pack bonus this year – and we’re not talking about abs.Credit: Roman Samborskyi, Shutterstock

Some taxpayers in Spain got a surprise six-pack bonus this year.

As the 2025 income tax season kicks off, a lesser-known deduction is flexing its muscles in two regions of Spain. That’s right – the Spanish taxman is rewarding healthy living, and it could earn gym-goers up to €300 off their tax bill.

If you’re living in either of these two communities and you’ve been shelling out for spin classes, yoga, or good old-fashioned weightlifting, you may be eligible for a fitness-friendly rebate.

The scheme, quietly tucked into the fine print of the 2024 tax returns, launched on April 2 and will run until June 30, according to the official Agencia Tributaria. You’ll need to keep your receipts and meet certain criteria – but if you tick the right boxes, you could see your gym sessions pay off, literally.

Which regions are offering Spain’s gym membership tax rebate?

In Comunidad Valenciana, taxpayers can claim 30% of their health and fitness expenses, up to €150. But if you’re over 65, or have a disability of 33% or more, the deduction bumps up to 50%. And for those over 75 or with a disability of 65% or more – the tax break could hit 100%.

Up north in La Rioja, it gets even juicier. The limit is €300, and the conditions are similar – age and disability can double or even triple your savings.

Of course, it’s not just a case of handing over your gym fob. To qualify, your general and savings income combined must be under €32,000 for individual filings, or €48,000 if you’re filing jointly.

And yes – you’ll need those pesky receipts. So if you’ve been binning your gym invoices, now might be a good time to rummage through your email or glove box.

What next?

For now, only Valencians and Riojans can claim this rebate, but tax experts say other regions may follow suit if the scheme proves popular.

So if you’re a gym-goer in these lucky regions, it’s time to turn those squats into savings. And if you’re not? Well – there’s always next year… or a move to Valencia. Now, if only lifting the remote counted as cardio.