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RESIDENCE CARD
Why do I need a
Residence Card?
A residence card (residencia) was
required by anyone wishing to live in Spain more than six months out of the
year.
Contrary to what some people believe, irrespective of whether you have a
residence card or not, if you remain in Spain for more than 182 days in a
calendar year you will be regarded as a resident for tax purposes, thus liable
to pay income tax on your world-wide income.
A residence card is useful to have as it is often requested as an identification
when purchasing goods with credit card or setting up a contract with a utility
company. The card however is no longer obligatory for EU nationals and others.
If you have one the main benefit now as a UK resident is
getting NHS type health benefit without the E111.
Residencia no longer required for workers
The new laws introduced mean that if you want to
work in Spain, you no longer need to be a resident. You need to get your NIE
number from your local police as normal as a worker. You may find that some
banks will ask you for residencia if you are starting an SL company, but in
general you should have no problems. Remember also, that if you rent or buy your
property, you address must be registered at the local council (Ajuntamiento). If
you do not, you will not be able to get your children into state schools, buy
cars in your name and lots of other things. If you are renting, make sure that
your contract is in Spanish as well as English. You won't get registered with an
English contract!
According to the ROYAL DECREE 178/2003 14/02/03 as published in the B.O.E. No 46
of 22/02/03 the following persons may reside in Spain without a Residence Card:
Citizens of Members States of the EU (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain,
Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Portugal, United
Kingdom and Sweden) or countries, which are part of the eurosspean Economic Area
Agreement (EEA)(Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) who are employed
or self employed or who are entitled to the right to reside permanently.
Relatives of those mentioned in above paragraph, as well as family members of
citizens. Family members of citizens of EU countries (Husbands/wives, and the
descendant and ancestors of either) providing they are citizens of a Member
State of the EU.
The citizens of Members States of the EU or of countries, which are part of the
E.E.A. Agreement who work in Spain but reside in another EU country and return,
every day or, at least, once a week.
To reside in Spain the following persons must apply for a Residence Card:
Citizens of Members States of the EU or of countries included in the EEA
Agreement who are retired and entitled to a pension, but who have not resided in
Spain for more than three years.
The citizens of Members States of the EU or of countries included in the EEA
Agreement who are not engaged in remunerated activities.
Family members of citizens of Member States of the EU (Husbands/Wives and the
descendants and ancestors of either).
Relatives of Spain nationals, of third countries, will be provided with a 5-year
residence card.
How to Apply
Residence cards are applied for at the
national police station (comisaria de polica nacional) with a foreigner's
department (departamento de extranjeros). This must be done with one month of
entering Spain.
What Documents
·
Proof of support (bank
statements/work contract/pension)
·
Medical insurance. (either form
E-121) or private medical insurance
·
Passport valid for a minimum of 6
months, plus a photocopy of the relevant pages.
·
Three passport size photos.
·
Completed application.
·
Bank receipt for the fee, payable
at any Unicaja bank, approximately 6€.
- Proof
of address (empadronamiento) certificate, obtainable from your local
ayuntamiento (Town Hall)
- In
the case of the relative of a Resident in Spain, proof of the family ties.
Non EU citizens will also need to produce:
·
Title deeds to Spanish property or
a rental contract, with photocopy.
·
Consular inscription from your own
nation's consulate in Spain.
·
Proof of income (same as EU, but
higher. Generally a minimum of 600€)
·
If you are a non EU citizen and are
requesting a work permit, there will be various other documents to present
relating to your employment.
·
Dependants require evidence of
their relationship and proof that they are wholly maintained by the applicant if
they are over 21 years of age.
If you don't have the required documents, you will be sent away to obtain them,
including photocopies. If you have forgotten to take photocopies or your photo,
don't worry, there are usually plenty of places to take care of these
requirements close to the comisaria - but you will have to queue again!
When your application is accepted , you are issued with a receipt as proof of
your application. The cards are actually issued by the Governments provincial
sub-delegation and collected from the office where the application was made. The
offices do not usually contact you when they are ready so be prepared to go back
every few weeks to check.
Your residence card bears a fiscal number (NIE) (Numero Identificación
Extranjero) which must be quoted when opening a bank account or paying Spanish
taxes. All residents and non-resident homeowners must have a NIE. Spaniards have
a NIF (Numero Identificación Fiscal)
It is useful to apply for a NIE which takes a few days before applying for a
Residence Card which takes a few months so that it is easier to open bank
accounts and set up contracts.
Some banks still operate two types of account. Non Resident Accounts and
Residents account. This stems from the old days when non residents were not
subject to the same currency exchange controls as Spaniards. Nowadays a non
resident account is more inconvenient and attracts higher charges.
The Residence card is often called a Residence Permit which is not correct. It
is not a permit nor is it a national identification card which can be used to
pass international borders.
The application for the renewal of a residencia must be made at least a month
before its expiry date. The procedure is the same as for the initial
application, although the documents required include proof of Spanish income tax
payment and social security, if applicable.
myCADIZ.biz
publishes this information in good faith. We cannot be responsible for any
consequences arising from its content.
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