If you
are planning to reside in Spain permanently then you
must apply for residencia within 90-days otherwise
you would be deemed to be illegal. This law is
largely overlooked due to poor information or just
pure ignorance. It does not matter if you are a
property owner, someone who is renting or staying
with friends. If you are here permanently then you
must process your residencia within this time frame.
If you are planning for a shorter stay then you can
apply for a temporary residence card to suit your
plans.
 |
Residency
applications are now processed in the Town
Halls in the largest town near to where you
live.
The process
is a little more streamlined than it used to
be. Many people have been put of the
application process in the past by Spanish
red tape and delays. |
The
residency application is now much simpler.
1. You
are required to have three passport size
photographs.
2. A
certified copy of your passport. The certification
can be taken care of at the Notary by your Abogado
(Spanish Solicitor). Just drop them off and pick
them up the next day.
3. You
will need your padron from the Town Hall. This can
be done when you visit your town hall to process the
application.
4.
Take with you a copy of your property deeds and a
recent utility bill. This is confirmation of your
ownership of the property and proof of address.
For
young babies who have just arrived in Spain you will
need to provide proof from your health centre back
home that all the vaccinations are up to date.
You
will be provided with a temporary residence card and
when you are notified that the original is ready to
be picked up you will need to provide your
fingerprint of your right index finger at the
National Police Station.
Once
you have your Spanish residence card you need to
carry it with you at all times. There are many
benefits from carrying the card. Pensioners will get
savings on travel such as bus and rail fares.
Drivers that are stopped and cannot show their card
could have their car impounded. It can also be used
as a form of ID in many instances.
After
you have completed your application do not expect to
hear anything more for between 6-9 months. It is
just a case of making your application and
forgetting about it until your receive an update
through the post.
Some
Abogados provide a service for residency application
and some charge as much as 500-euros. I would
recommend you do the applications yourself and save
some money.
