Global music star Shakira has been cleared of tax fraud by a Spanish court after years of legal battles with the country’s tax authorities.
The court ruled that prosecutors failed to prove Shakira spent enough time living in Spain in 2011 to qualify as a tax resident.
According to the judgment, she stayed in the country for 163 days that year, which was below the required 183-day limit.
Following the decision, Spanish authorities were ordered to refund the singer €55 million, about $64 million, along with interest. However, the country’s tax agency has announced plans to appeal the ruling, meaning the money will not be released until the legal process is fully completed.Reacting to the judgment, Shakira said the ruling finally cleared her name after years of public scrutiny and emotional stress. She insisted there was never any fraud and said the accusations affected both her health and family.
The refund includes millions previously paid in taxes and penalties that had been classified as serious violations by Spanish authorities.The dispute began during the years Shakira lived in Spain while in a relationship with former football star Gerard Piqué. The pair reportedly met during preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem Waka Waka.Despite the latest victory, the case is not fully over because Spanish tax officials are still pushing for a Supreme Court review.
The ruling comes at a busy time for Shakira, who is also preparing for major World Cup performances and recently released a 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem featuring Burna Boy.
