MotoGP star Marc Marquez breaks silence on unusual tax choice

Nine-time motorcycle world champion Marc Marquez admits it’s only fair that he should pay higher taxes than people with less profitable and lower-profile jobs.

Marquez revealed this as part of a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, where he admits to paying higher taxes than he would need to by living somewhere else. Born in Cervera, Spain, Marquez currently lives in Madrid but has previously had a home in Andorra, which borders France to the north and Spain to the south. 

Taxes in Andorra are generally considered to be very low, especially compared with Spain’s capital. In fact, Marquez says he never paid tax while owning property in Andorra, according to the interview, which is where various other MotoGP riders reside. 

This likely means that it’s similar to Monaco, which is home to many F1 drivers. For example, Monaco does not tax personal income, capital gains or wealth tax, making it one of the most tax-friendly places in the world. 

Therefore, it’s understandable that MotoGP riders would choose a place like Andorra, which offers similar tax benefits and will be close to home for most Spanish riders, as opposed to living somewhere else in Europe. 

With Andorra situated in the Pyrenees, it’s also considered to be a good living spot for riders during the off-season to keep up their fitness. But, despite all that, Marquez says he “never really lived there”.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marquez is quoted as saying: 

“I had a house in Andorra for almost four years, but I never really lived there and I never paid taxes there. Because in the end Cervera from Andorra is an hour's drive away. I only kept my skis up there. 

“Being in Spain I have half of what I could have, but I have always asked myself questions. 'If I had twice as much, would it change my life?'. The answer was no. I believe that there is a sense of justice, a civic sense: those who have more must pay more, with limits.”

Since becoming a full factory rider with the Lenovo Ducati team in 2025 - Marquez spent one year at Gresini Racing in 2024 - the seven-time MotoGP champion has returned to being one of the highest paid riders in MotoGP, which was the case for many years at Honda.

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