NO RESIDENCE CARDS REQUIRED & A TRUE CASE LETTER
EU CITIZENS NO LONGER NEED COMPLICATED RESIDENCE CARDS TO LIVE AND WORK FULL TIME IN SPAIN
By David Searl
This is it. April 2, 2007, was the big day. On that day Spanish Royal Decree 240/2007 went into force, putting into effect European Union directives and ending the need for EU citizens to obtain a residence card in Spain. Nevertheless, they must be registered as residing in Spain.
We remind you that a tourist visit lasts only 90 days, whether you are an EU citizen or not. After 90 days, you must register as a resident.
Since 2nd April 2007, EU citizens are issued a sheet of paper called a Certificado de Inscripcion en el Registro Central de Extranjeros, a Certificate of Registration. The sheet also contains the EU citizen's NIE, his Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero, which identifies him to the Spanish tax authorities. It is almost impossible to carry out any official or banking transaction without this number. All computer programs are designed for it. For Spaniards, it is the NIF, and it is the same as the number on their
national identity document.
LIVING IN SPAIN: RESIDENCE PERMITS
So a new arrival in Spain presents himself at the nearest police station, along with his passport and one photocopy of it, at the foreigner's department. He obtains the application form, EX16, and then form 790, which is only available at the police station, and takes it to the nearest bank. At the bank he pays 6.70 euros, the bank stamps the form, and the applicant takes it back to the police station.
This irritating form 790 is the only way to pay the official charge. The fee of 6.70 euros is exactly the same as the fee paid by Spaniards when they renew their own National Identity Document. They wait on line in exactly the same way. You can collect the form in advance at the police station, with no waiting, and have it ready when you come to get your Certificate of Registration.
Apart from this antiquated but secure form of payment, it looks like the Spanish authorities have done everything right this time. At many police stations around the country, there is a telephone number to call to make an appointment. You call, make your appointment, and show up at the right time. If you have with you your EU passport and copy, the filled-in application, and your paid-up Form 790, you should walk out of the police station soon thereafter with a certificate that says you are a resident with a NIE.
then grows, and the town's share of tax income also grows. There is nothing in the national government's instructions about the Empadronamiento certificate. The instructions require only the presentation of an EU passport and photocopy, the filled-in form, and the paid-up Form 790 for payment of fee. Even so, some people are never satisfied. The first applicants for the new certificate are already complaining that their plastic residence card made a handy form of identification when using a credit card at the supermarket, for example. Now they must carry their passports or other identification. The Certificate even has one line printed on it
that observes, "This certificate does not constitute an official means of identification." One Englishman complained bitterly that his own nation would not give him an identity card and he had to come to Spain to get one. Now they are taking it away.
A few questions arise immediately. Let's answer some of the basic ones. Those EU citizens who already hold a Spanish residence card will be issued a certificate when they go to renew their residency. Those who have already applied will have a choice of receiving a new card or a certificate when their application is processed. After that, there is no possibility of obtaining a card, only the certificate. The card has disappeared.
Apart from the antiquated but secure form of payment for the new Residence Certificate, it looks like the Spanish authorities have done everything right this time.
Even better, the certificate never needs to be renewed. It can be renewed ifyou wish to change your address or other particulars but otherwise this is not necessary.
Yes, you still have to wait for your appointment. The process is taking three to four weeks at many Comisarias. But you can wait in the comfort of your own home and you only have to make one visit. No fingerprints, no photos, no separate application for NIE, and no delays of up to a year before you receive your card. It looks good.
You can download the application form EX16 from the Ministry of the Interior web site at www.mir.es
However, in some areas, unfortunately the old saying that "Everything has changed and nothing has changed" continues to apply. In some zones of the Costa Blanca, police static ns a re still using the old system of people waiting on line to obtain a number for an appointment. They sometimes have a very long wait.
There are also reports that the police are insisting on the presentation of a Certificado de Empadronamiento in some areas. This is a separate certificate issued by Town Halls to people who reside in their municipality. The Town Halls want people to register as local inhabitants because their official population
Only citizens of the European Union are entitled to the Certificate of Registration. This includes citizens of the European Economic Area and Switzerland. All others must apply for cards as before. This includes non-EU family members of an EU citizen.
These family members are;
Spouses, of the same or opposite sex. Spain, Belgium and the Low Countries permit same-sex marriage. Children of the EU citizen and children of the spouse. Parents and grandparents of the EU citizen and of the spouse. It applies to couples who are not married but are registered in a State Registry of couples. Spain has no such registry nationally but Germany, France, the UK, Denmark, Finland and Sweden have them.
These family members are entitled to residence, but they must apply for a card as before.
Non-EU citizens, including Canadians, South Africans, and US citizens, must still go through the entire process of application for residency in Spain. They must obtain the Visado de Residencia, the residence visa, from the Spanish Consulate in their home country before they even come to Spain.
The above document was transcribed from the Solbank Prestige Club Magazine, Summer 2007
Not All Residencia Renewals Are A Nightmare
November 2007
As for many people, the time had approached when we had to face the ghastly task of renewing our Residencia and having read the many reports in the papers were definitely not looking forward to an all-nighter sitting outside the Policia Nacional. Too long in the tooth for that sort of fun and games. We therefore decided to approach the whole matter in stages thinking it better to perhaps avoid the stress of running around like headless chickens!
First Stage - we "went to Orihuela (not Orihuela Costa), parked with no problem close to the Policia building. There we were pointed in the right direction and obtained, after about 5 minutes, the necessary forms. We also to understand what other documents would be necessary. Having completed the forms in the quiet of home, the next step was' to go to the bank and pay the 6.70€ for each application.
Second Stage - The Padron. We had our original one but it is now necessary to supply one that is not more than 3 months old. This called for a visit to San Miguel Town Hall. Again, no hassle. About 10 minutes in the office there and another visit about ¾ days later to collect it. The Town Hall was very helpful and there was no problem. Just make sure you have your Passport and old Residencia Card just in case.
Next to come was the bit we dreaded most of all – actually managing to lodge our applications. How many times would we have to visit? Were the forms okay? All we could do was grit our teeth and go for the third stage.
Third Stage - We arrived at Orihuela at about 10am. Parked again with no problems. Walked across to the Police Station where a nice policeman escorted us to an office, told us to wait, spoke to someone inside and a second or so later a lady appeared. We handed her our Application Forms. She had a quick look through and in excellent English told us to take a seat and she would be back in a minute or so.
About 15 minutes later she re-appeared and handed us Our Certificado De Registro. We were so pleased and happy and stunned all at once we hardly knew what to say other than "thank you" many times over.
It took less than 30 minutes from arrival to departure and almost as long as that to order a couple of cups of coffee when we found a bar! We felt the occasion warranted something stronger but we did have to drive back home again and really did not want to push our luck too far in one day. The documents we handed over were:
Application Form and 2 copies. Form 790. This comes in triplicate. (this is the one to take to the Bank when you pay you 6.70€. The bank stamps this and returns to you 2 copies). Passport and 1 copy. Old Residencia card and 1 copy. Padron and 1 copy. We did take all sorts of other legal papers with us such as utility bills, deeds, etc. but nothing was needed.
We do not know whether we were just lucky or everyone that day was in a good mood but felt we had to write and say how fortunate we had been and only hope our experience may help or encourage others.
On a final note, our very, very grateful thanks to the Policia Nacional staff and those at San Miguel Town Hall re: the Padron.
A&B Robertson
San Miguel
Webmaster Note: Unfortunatly our Town Hall is not San Miguel, so dont go rushing off to there, but Orihuela is. Thanks be praised!!
EU CITIZENS NO LONGER NEED COMPLICATED RESIDENCE CARDS TO LIVE AND WORK FULL TIME IN SPAIN
By David Searl
This is it. April 2, 2007, was the big day. On that day Spanish Royal Decree 240/2007 went into force, putting into effect European Union directives and ending the need for EU citizens to obtain a residence card in Spain. Nevertheless, they must be registered as residing in Spain.
We remind you that a tourist visit lasts only 90 days, whether you are an EU citizen or not. After 90 days, you must register as a resident.
Since 2nd April 2007, EU citizens are issued a sheet of paper called a Certificado de Inscripcion en el Registro Central de Extranjeros, a Certificate of Registration. The sheet also contains the EU citizen's NIE, his Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero, which identifies him to the Spanish tax authorities. It is almost impossible to carry out any official or banking transaction without this number. All computer programs are designed for it. For Spaniards, it is the NIF, and it is the same as the number on their
national identity document.
LIVING IN SPAIN: RESIDENCE PERMITS
So a new arrival in Spain presents himself at the nearest police station, along with his passport and one photocopy of it, at the foreigner's department. He obtains the application form, EX16, and then form 790, which is only available at the police station, and takes it to the nearest bank. At the bank he pays 6.70 euros, the bank stamps the form, and the applicant takes it back to the police station.
This irritating form 790 is the only way to pay the official charge. The fee of 6.70 euros is exactly the same as the fee paid by Spaniards when they renew their own National Identity Document. They wait on line in exactly the same way. You can collect the form in advance at the police station, with no waiting, and have it ready when you come to get your Certificate of Registration.
Apart from this antiquated but secure form of payment, it looks like the Spanish authorities have done everything right this time. At many police stations around the country, there is a telephone number to call to make an appointment. You call, make your appointment, and show up at the right time. If you have with you your EU passport and copy, the filled-in application, and your paid-up Form 790, you should walk out of the police station soon thereafter with a certificate that says you are a resident with a NIE.
then grows, and the town's share of tax income also grows. There is nothing in the national government's instructions about the Empadronamiento certificate. The instructions require only the presentation of an EU passport and photocopy, the filled-in form, and the paid-up Form 790 for payment of fee. Even so, some people are never satisfied. The first applicants for the new certificate are already complaining that their plastic residence card made a handy form of identification when using a credit card at the supermarket, for example. Now they must carry their passports or other identification. The Certificate even has one line printed on it
that observes, "This certificate does not constitute an official means of identification." One Englishman complained bitterly that his own nation would not give him an identity card and he had to come to Spain to get one. Now they are taking it away.
A few questions arise immediately. Let's answer some of the basic ones. Those EU citizens who already hold a Spanish residence card will be issued a certificate when they go to renew their residency. Those who have already applied will have a choice of receiving a new card or a certificate when their application is processed. After that, there is no possibility of obtaining a card, only the certificate. The card has disappeared.
Apart from the antiquated but secure form of payment for the new Residence Certificate, it looks like the Spanish authorities have done everything right this time.
Even better, the certificate never needs to be renewed. It can be renewed ifyou wish to change your address or other particulars but otherwise this is not necessary.
Yes, you still have to wait for your appointment. The process is taking three to four weeks at many Comisarias. But you can wait in the comfort of your own home and you only have to make one visit. No fingerprints, no photos, no separate application for NIE, and no delays of up to a year before you receive your card. It looks good.
You can download the application form EX16 from the Ministry of the Interior web site at www.mir.es
However, in some areas, unfortunately the old saying that "Everything has changed and nothing has changed" continues to apply. In some zones of the Costa Blanca, police static ns a re still using the old system of people waiting on line to obtain a number for an appointment. They sometimes have a very long wait.
There are also reports that the police are insisting on the presentation of a Certificado de Empadronamiento in some areas. This is a separate certificate issued by Town Halls to people who reside in their municipality. The Town Halls want people to register as local inhabitants because their official population
Only citizens of the European Union are entitled to the Certificate of Registration. This includes citizens of the European Economic Area and Switzerland. All others must apply for cards as before. This includes non-EU family members of an EU citizen.
These family members are;
Spouses, of the same or opposite sex. Spain, Belgium and the Low Countries permit same-sex marriage. Children of the EU citizen and children of the spouse. Parents and grandparents of the EU citizen and of the spouse. It applies to couples who are not married but are registered in a State Registry of couples. Spain has no such registry nationally but Germany, France, the UK, Denmark, Finland and Sweden have them.
These family members are entitled to residence, but they must apply for a card as before.
Non-EU citizens, including Canadians, South Africans, and US citizens, must still go through the entire process of application for residency in Spain. They must obtain the Visado de Residencia, the residence visa, from the Spanish Consulate in their home country before they even come to Spain.
The above document was transcribed from the Solbank Prestige Club Magazine, Summer 2007
Not All Residencia Renewals Are A Nightmare
November 2007
As for many people, the time had approached when we had to face the ghastly task of renewing our Residencia and having read the many reports in the papers were definitely not looking forward to an all-nighter sitting outside the Policia Nacional. Too long in the tooth for that sort of fun and games. We therefore decided to approach the whole matter in stages thinking it better to perhaps avoid the stress of running around like headless chickens!
First Stage - we "went to Orihuela (not Orihuela Costa), parked with no problem close to the Policia building. There we were pointed in the right direction and obtained, after about 5 minutes, the necessary forms. We also to understand what other documents would be necessary. Having completed the forms in the quiet of home, the next step was' to go to the bank and pay the 6.70€ for each application.
Second Stage - The Padron. We had our original one but it is now necessary to supply one that is not more than 3 months old. This called for a visit to San Miguel Town Hall. Again, no hassle. About 10 minutes in the office there and another visit about ¾ days later to collect it. The Town Hall was very helpful and there was no problem. Just make sure you have your Passport and old Residencia Card just in case.
Next to come was the bit we dreaded most of all – actually managing to lodge our applications. How many times would we have to visit? Were the forms okay? All we could do was grit our teeth and go for the third stage.
Third Stage - We arrived at Orihuela at about 10am. Parked again with no problems. Walked across to the Police Station where a nice policeman escorted us to an office, told us to wait, spoke to someone inside and a second or so later a lady appeared. We handed her our Application Forms. She had a quick look through and in excellent English told us to take a seat and she would be back in a minute or so.
About 15 minutes later she re-appeared and handed us Our Certificado De Registro. We were so pleased and happy and stunned all at once we hardly knew what to say other than "thank you" many times over.
It took less than 30 minutes from arrival to departure and almost as long as that to order a couple of cups of coffee when we found a bar! We felt the occasion warranted something stronger but we did have to drive back home again and really did not want to push our luck too far in one day. The documents we handed over were:
Application Form and 2 copies. Form 790. This comes in triplicate. (this is the one to take to the Bank when you pay you 6.70€. The bank stamps this and returns to you 2 copies). Passport and 1 copy. Old Residencia card and 1 copy. Padron and 1 copy. We did take all sorts of other legal papers with us such as utility bills, deeds, etc. but nothing was needed.
We do not know whether we were just lucky or everyone that day was in a good mood but felt we had to write and say how fortunate we had been and only hope our experience may help or encourage others.
On a final note, our very, very grateful thanks to the Policia Nacional staff and those at San Miguel Town Hall re: the Padron.
A&B Robertson
San Miguel
Webmaster Note: Unfortunatly our Town Hall is not San Miguel, so dont go rushing off to there, but Orihuela is. Thanks be praised!!
 |
© RB3 Entre Naranjos 2007