A Spanish court has ordered the country's tax authority to refund €55m (£48m) to singer Shakira after ruling that the money was improperly collected in a dispute over her taxes. The national high court has acquitted the Colombian singer of tax fraud and ordered the Treasury to repay the money plus interest to her.

The court stated tax authorities failed to prove she spent 183 days in Spain in 2011, the minimum required for residents to pay personal income tax there.

Shakira stated that the court had finally set the record straight after enduring eight years of public scrutiny, orchestrated campaigns against her reputation, and sleepless nights that affected her family's well-being.

The repayment involves approximately €24m (£21m) in income tax and nearly €25m (£22m) in fines for what authorities labeled a very serious infringement. The tax agency announced its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court, halting payment until a final ruling is made.

Shakira lived with former footballer Gerard Pique for over a decade, and the court noted that she spent 163 days in Spain in the relevant year, falling short of the residency threshold.

The case does not cover tax years after 2011 and is one of several cases brought by Spain's tax agency against Shakira. In 2023, she settled a separate tax fraud case covering 2012-2014 by accepting six charges and paying a €7.5m (£6.5m) fine.

Earlier in May, a Spanish court dropped an investigation into her tax payments for 2018 due to lack of evidence. As she wraps up her Women Don't Cry Anymore world tour, Shakira also prepares for a high-profile half-time performance with Madonna and BTS at the upcoming FIFA Men's World Cup final.