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Up until recently it has been necessary for any foreigner living in Spain for any length of time to become legally resident here, however this is no longer the case for EU citizens.
Many people still apply for their residencia when they decide to make Spain their permanent home at it can make things easier for them and in many cases speed up the beurocracy that they get involved in.
The Benefits to you in still applying for residencia are...
- It prooves that you have the legal right to live and work in Spain.
- Many financial institutions are still in the habit of asking for your residencia details, like when you open a Bank account or apply for a mortgage.
Applying for residencia
There are two types of residencia certificates : Temporary, for when you are planning to be here between 3 months and 1 year, and permanent, which is valid for 5 Years, but is renewable after that period.
The process of applying for your Residencia certificate is similar to that of getting your NIE and is done by going to the nearest Provincial police station (Comisaría de Policía Provincial) that has a foreigners’ department (Oficina de Extranjeros). Most major Towns in your Province will have one of these.
Documents you will need to apply for your residencia:
- Your Passport
- 3 Passport Photographs
- A completed form for each person applying for residencia (including children) called EX16, and you should be able to get a copy from any local Tobaccos, or you can download it online via this link - Residencia Application Form (PDF format)
- Proof that you live here (your escritura, or your rental contract)
- Your NIE
- Payment of the 10 Euro Fee at the Bank
As with every legal process that you undertake in Spain, take photocopies of every document.
This is a lengthy process and involves a lot of waiting - both in submitting the application, and waiting for it to be processed. You should also be prepared for the fact that the legalities concerning residencia seem to change frequently and should be prepared for slight deviations from the procedure listed above.
As with applying for your NIE , this is a proceedure that your Gestor or Lawyer can generally assist you with.
Please click here if you wish to Apply for Residential Status as a NON - EU Citizen.
Derek, officially you are required to attend your local 'Oficina de Extranjeros' and produce your original Residency Certificate, where they will cancel it and produce a 'Baja' in it's place (Which essentially confirms that you are no longer resident) - make sure that this carries the offical stamp & date, and that you take a number of copies or scan to your PC.
Hi, Can you please show me details on how to cancel Residencia. Thank you
Tony, it does - it may just be that your PDF reader needs updating.
very useful but the link to EX16 does not work
Thought article was informative and concise. The download is handy too. Advice to check details nearer the time, a good idea. Thanks.
Guys, further to unexpected interest you can click here to read this section to Apply for Residential Status as a NON - EU Citizen
Hi, I'm Indian by birth,but living in the UK on a student visa for the last 9 Months.
I need a Spain Paramenent Resident Visa - is this is possible ? If so, please can you let me know how.
hola soy hondureña y tengo residencia española y necesito sacar el visado americano con residencia española qe debo hacer
Susan, Click this link to read our article Can I Claim Disability Allowance in Spain ? - You may find it useful
I receive incapacity benefit in UK. If I move to Spain can I get any benefit there, and if so how?
Can I download form Modelo 790 for bank payment for renewal of residencia
Many thanks for your quick response - and please carry on if you have any more helpful information. MUCHAS GARACIAS !
Thakur / Godwin, as Non-EU Citizens you will need to contact the Embassy representing your own country here in Spain and apply for a 'Visado de Residencia'
Hi, hola. Myself thakur need your help about this process. I have been here in spain 5 months and i'm an indian of 34 years old. Pls give me the proper direction. Thankyou & Muchas Gracias.
Please I need to know the necessary step to take.
I would point out that the residencia certificate availavble at the present time is NOT suitable for identification purposes as it does not have a photograph included on it so one must continue to carry a passport for identification . In some establishments, one can use a Spanish driving licence for this purpose but for other official business, a passport is necessary.
Thanks Lloyd - If you had made an appointment at the Comisaria, then yes - it can be a much quicker process, however, if you simply turn up and wait in line this can be very time consuming - although I accept that this will vary from Town to Town and day to day. Our Local Comisaria DID ask for the Photo's to be produced, and whilst this may not be the case in all areas, we beleive that it is a much better practise to prepare for all evantualities.
One of our regular contributors has written a blog about his personal experiences in obtaining his Residencia, which you can read via this link - http://www.tumbit.com/blogs/418-applying-for-residencia-part-1.html.
This is a VERY simple process and the article is misleading.
You do need an NIE and the proof of living in Spain but you ALSO need to be registered to vote where you live (on the padron" as it is known).
We did NOT need photographs nor did we need copies of the forms or passport etc.
It took us 45 minutes including calling in at the bank to pay the fee.
PJ, for an 'unofficial' translation click the link (above) to open the EX16 form. Then copy the link URL from your browser and paste it into translate.google.com - this will translate the form for you ( remember that you can only submit it in the Spanish language ). If you click our "Legal Formalities" section under "How to Guides" you will find an article about NIE numbers.
I have an appointment at the police station in spain on 27/04/10 for residencia I know I need 3 photos/passport and and to pay fee at bank. Can I get the form translated in English. Also, how do I get my NIE number?
Best explanation I've had so far !
Henry, the procedure to follow as a Non-EU citizen is much different and more complicated that I have indicated above and varies greatly on your circumstances - such as whether you have work or not, and whether you are moving with your family or not. You should start the whole process by applying for a 'Visado de Residencia' at your own country's embassy in Spain.
I am a Nigerian, I have been in this country for over 4 years without residence, I realy dont know what to do about it, I have applied before but my application was denied, the authority said it was due to police character, so I realy need our advice on what to do!
You now do not need photos any more when applying for your residencia - You now get a piece of paper.
- I apologise, If I understand you correctly you are asking what the process is for renewing your residencia ? - If this is the case then you simply need to complete the EX16 Form (attached on the same page)and submit it to the same Police Station.
## Ich entschuldige mich, wenn ich Sie richtig verstanden, du fragst, was der Prozess für die Verlängerung Ihres residencia ist? - Ist dies der Fall ist, dann müssen Sie nur die EX16 komplette Form (auf der gleichen Seite befestigt) und legt ihn dem gleichen Polizeistation.
Antrag auf die Verlaengerung der Residencia 2010
Patrick, If you click on the PDF application form in the above text, and then drop the URL into Google Translate it will show you the full smallprint of the document in English. Basically it says that, assuming you are an EU citizen, you use the same form - EX16 - to renew your certificate.
Excellent info, but I should like to know what is necessary to re apply for Residencia? Our present cards expire on 17th April 2010
Thank you
Patrick
Hi and thanks very much for your response. I will get the required form and take it from there. You've been a great help. Regards, Susie
thank you for your quick response, its nice to know there are still genuine people out there to give free advice, we will now take your advice and find a qualified asesor, and look forward to your reviews on other aspects of spanish law, well done
Susie, the E121 is basically a form that enables you to transfer your State Healthcare entitlement from the UK to Spain - BUT only if you receive a UK state pension, Incapacity or bereavement benefits. If you do not qualify for any of the above and have NOT been paying into the Spanish state system you may wish to look at the E106 form.This applies if you are taking early retirement and have been in Spain less than 2 years.(# Please note due to not having all your details we can only give you very general advise ).
With regards to your application for residencia, we would advise you to do this through an Abogado or Gestor - they should also be able to give you the best advise on the process of applying for state healthcare in Spain.
Hi, I would like to get my residencia, but having read this article, it appears I need a Medical Certificate. Can you please tell me where I get one. I've been told I need an E121?? I am taking early retirement, as I had a stroke last year and can't work, but don't receive any uk benefits. I would be grateful for any advice. Thanks, Susie
John, the current law simply states that if you intend to spend less than 187 days in Spain then you are not deemed to be resident for tax purposes.This means that you can therefore opt out of the Spanish system and back into the system in the UK. In order to do this the law (As far as leaving Spain is concerned) states that you simply need to return your documentation to your nearest "Oficina de Extranjeros" - We would strongly recommend that in doing this you firstly took photocopies and asked for an official cancelation stamp and/or receipt of this being done.
This is a complex issue, and everybody's situation is different - and given that you own a property in Spain we would STRONGLY recommend that you spoke with a qualified and professional Asesor in order to receive the best possible advise before proceding with any such action.
Very good article. We have decided to return to the UK. We own a property in Granad - Should we hand in our residencia card ? - We need to get back on the UK system, is there a problem and how do we go about it ?
many thanks, John
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