Juan Carlos I Conditions His Definitive Return to Spain on Residency at La Zarzuela

Former King Juan Carlos I has expressed his desire to return definitively to Spain, but only if he can reside at La Zarzuela, the royal palace where he lived for 57 years. This wish faces significant complications because La Zarzuela functions both as a royal residence and as a seat of the Spanish state. To protect the institution's reputation, the Spanish government and royal family have agreed that Juan Carlos I cannot stay overnight there during his visits, a condition he has accepted to avoid further scandal.

Since August 2020, Juan Carlos I has been residing in Abu Dhabi and does not currently hold tax residency in Spain. Returning to Spain would subject him to tax obligations and financial scrutiny, as he no longer benefits from this tax status. With no public pension and no formal income in Spain, he would need to demonstrate legitimate earnings to support himself.

Despite these challenges, Juan Carlos I plans to visit Spain monthly from March to October, maintaining his tax residence in the UAE while traveling frequently for personal engagements. His potential return gained political attention after PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo suggested he deserves to come back, linking it to the declassification of documents related to the 1981 coup attempt; however, the Spanish Foreign Minister dismissed this as a political distraction.

Overall, Juan Carlos I's definitive comeback hinges on resolving his residency demands and economic and institutional constraints, with his current plan involving regular visits without permanent relocation.