International music icon Shakira has secured a major legal victory after a Spanish court acquitted her of long-standing tax fraud allegations, ordering the country’s Treasury to refund her €55 million (about $64 million) along with accrued interest.
The ruling, delivered by Spain’s National High Court, brings an end to a high-profile legal battle that has stretched for nearly a decade, placing the global superstar under intense scrutiny.
At the heart of the case was the question of tax residency. Spanish prosecutors had argued that Shakira spent enough time in the country in 2011 to be considered a tax resident and therefore liable for income tax. However, the court found otherwise.
Under Spanish law, an individual must spend at least 183 days within the country in a calendar year to qualify as a tax resident. After reviewing the evidence, the judges concluded that the singer was present in Spain for only 163 days—falling 20 days short of the legal threshold. Based on this, the court ruled that the tax charges and accompanying fines were unlawful.
Reacting to the judgment, Shakira expressed relief and vindication, stating that the ruling finally clears her name after years of what she described as deliberate attempts to damage her reputation.
“There was never any fraud, and the administration itself could never prove otherwise, simply because it wasn’t true,” she said, emphasizing that the case lacked merit from the start.
The refund ordered by the court includes approximately €24 million in income tax payments and nearly €25 million in penalties previously imposed on the singer.
Despite the ruling, the legal battle may not be entirely over. Spain’s tax agency has already announced plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. As a result, the funds will remain on hold until a final verdict is reached.
The case dates back to the period when Shakira was living in Spain during her relationship with former football star Gerard Piqué, a time when questions about her residency status first emerged.
The court victory comes at a particularly busy and successful period in Shakira’s career. The global star is set to perform alongside icons like Madonna and K-pop sensation BTS at the halftime show of the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup Final. She also recently released the official tournament anthem featuring Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, further cementing her global influence.
With the ruling now in her favor, Shakira walks away from one of the most intense legal battles of her career at least for now reclaiming both her finances and her public image.
