Identity card

[Clemmie00]

Originally Posted by thrax

Sorry I didn't realise but as I said in my last post I absolutely abhor that kind of stop and search regime. I've never been stopped (it will happen for sure now I've said that) and I don't recall having seen anyone stopped here (where I live) who was of, as far as the policeare concerned, ethnic origin. But at the moment it is the world we live in and I do my bit to try and change people's views. Good luck to you anyway...

I've never experienced racism from the police here in the UK or been asked to produce any ID. In Spain, I sometimes got dirty looks and followed around shops, which was hurtful. It's just awful to feel judged and looked down on because of your skin colour. People would nearly always do a 180 when they realised I was from the UK and not wherever they were thinking of (I believe they think I'm Latin American), but it's still not nice. Anyway, that's a whole other topic and I'd prefer to be positive about Spain for now

[baldilocks]

Originally Posted by brocher

I must look very suspect then, I get asked for my passport in every shop in Spain!

But is it a card on a non-Spanish bank? If so then that would explain it because the card systems don't seem to be able to clear payments fast enough when a foreign card is involved (check for forged card, ID check, check for stolen, check for blocked card, fraudulent use, is use within normal pattern of usage, check for sufficient funds, etc...). For a Spanish card, the systems seem to be able to cope better and one is less likely to be asked for ID. Of course, in a tourist area proof of ID is required more often because of the higher incidence of card theft/loss.

If I use my UK Visa card, then I sometimes have to produce either my D/L or P/P.

[brocher]

Originally Posted by baldilocks

But is it a card on a non-Spanish bank? If so then that would explain it because the card systems don't seem to be able to clear payments fast enough when a foreign card is involved (check for forged card, ID check, check for stolen, check for blocked card, fraudulent use, is use within normal pattern of usage, check for sufficient funds, etc...). For a Spanish card, the systems seem to be able to cope better and one is less likely to be asked for ID. Of course, in a tourist area proof of ID is required more often because of the higher incidence of card theft/loss.

If I use my UK Visa card, then I sometimes have to produce either my D/L or P/P.

I think that's the reason. I've watched others being asked for ID too, before the staff have even looked at the card. Just seems to be routine, especially in some of the large supermarkets, in Marbella. Certainly nothing to do with colour.

I nearly had a heart attackwhen I was asked for ID, having just spent hours getting round the huge hypermarket, examiining all the unfamiliar labels to do that first huge shop. Luckily my dd was carrying her passport which they accepted for my card. The very thought of having to leave that shopping and do it all again when I had either my passport - or cash - on me!

[JulyB]

If it's any consolation, I'm apparently (people tell me) about as suspicious looking as a sick kitten (and as pale as can be, if it helps at all) and in Madrid have been followed around shops, stopped, asked for ID, have never bought anything with a card without showing a passport - they don't even accept my driving licence.

One time I was even searched and the security guard in a Casa del libro called me a thief and a liar and tried to call the police on me because there was a newish book in my bag which I had bought days before from a different store. Only when I showed a member of staff the annotations I had made and (thank goodness) was able to produce the receipt from the depths of my handbag, did they let me go.

I'm not downplaying your concerns, I know it's horrible, but sometimes it's also just part of the fun of being foreign and living in a city. I dream of having an ID card - it would make so many things easier.

[mrypg9]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but found it in my e-mail inbox today, from our Ayuntamiento (poorly translated, not by me)

NEW REGULATION
FOR CITIZEN WHO HAVE ALREADY THEIR RESIDENCIA (GREEN PAPER) THEIR SITUATION WILL NOT CHANGE AT ALL AND DO NOT NEED TO APPLY AGAIN.

According to the new regulation from the European Community , we inform you that from now on ,citizens from Eu community who apply for residency in Spain will have to present a few documents as:

For Pensioners:

- Certificado de empadronamiento (registry at the Town Hall)
- Health cover ( medical insurance either from social security or private insurance)
- Bank Statement proving that they receive monthly their pension.
- Original and copy of passport
- Application form

Not pensioners:

- Certificado de empadronamiento (registry certificate at the Town Hall)

- Work contract or Bank statement ( at least 6000 euros per year per person) to avoid to depend on Spanish government)

- Health cover insurance (medical insurance either from social security or private insurance)

- Original and copy of the passport

- Application form

You will have to call the National Police Station for appointment

So presumably a family of four will need to show proof of income of 24k euros p.a. ....or are children exempt from this requirement?

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by mrypg9

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but found it in my e-mail inbox today, from our Ayuntamiento (poorly translated, not by me

NEW REGULATION
FOR CITIZEN WHO HAVE ALREADY THEIR RESIDENCIA (GREEN PAPER) THEIR SITUATION WILL NOT CHANGE AT ALL AND DO NOT NEED TO APPLY AGAIN.

According to the new regulation from the European Community , we inform you that from now on ,citizens from Eu community who apply for residency in Spain will have to present a few documents as:

For Pensioners:

- Certificado de empadronamiento (registry at the Town Hall)
- Health cover ( medical insurance either from social security or private insurance)
- Bank Statement proving that they receive monthly their pension.
- Original and copy of passport
- Application form

Not pensioners:

- Certificado de empadronamiento (registry certificate at the Town Hall)

- Work contract or Bank statement ( at least 6000 euros per year per person) to avoid to depend on Spanish government)

- Health cover insurance (medical insurance either from social security or private insurance)

- Original and copy of the passport

- Application form

You will have to call the National Police Station for appointment

well that's pretty clear - I'll copy it onto the 'new regs for res certs' thread

[Hepa]

Originally Posted by brocher

I didn't know that it was no longer necessary to carry ID in Spain. I hate carrying my passport around.

I never understand, either, why I am often asked for photo ID, in Spain, if I want to use my credit/debit card.

I do not have photo I.D. apart from passport, and that is locked in a safe place, so if I use my debit card and the sellers will not accept it without photo I.D., then they lose a sale and I purchase elsewhere. Now if everyone did this................

[anles]

Originally Posted by brocher

I didn't know that it was no longer necessary to carry ID in Spain. I hate carrying my passport around.

I never understand, either, why I am often asked for photo ID, in Spain, if I want to use my credit/debit card.

I believe it is obligatory, Spanish nationals have to carry their DNI on them, so I don't think there will be a different law for foreign residents. And in any case, the amount of time you have to use it, it doesn't make sense NOT to carry it. I wouldn't be very happy if I paid by debit/credit card and they didn't verify my identity. An identity card makes identity theft much more difficult. And it makes it even harder to for anyone else to use your card if they have found it, stolen it or obtained one in your name.

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by anles

I believe it is obligatory, Spanish nationals have to carry their DNI on them, so I don't think there will be a different law for foreign residents. And in any case, the amount of time you have to use it, it doesn't make sense NOT to carry it. I wouldn't be very happy if I paid by debit/credit card and they didn't verify my identity. An identity card makes identity theft much more difficult. And it makes it even harder to for anyone else to use your card if they have found it, stolen it or obtained one in your name.

the only ID I have is my passport - I don't carry it around on a daily basis -only if I know I'll be needing it for something official - it's just too expensive & too much hassle to get a new one if it goes missing - as it inevitably did when I was in the habit of carrying it

I'm sure I've heard that it isn't a legal requirement now to carry it - I'll have a think about where I read it & see if I can find a link

[snikpoh]

Originally Posted by xabiachica

well that's pretty clear - I'll copy it onto the 'new regs for res certs' thread

They might say "You will have to call the National Police Station for appointment" but I suspect they mean "extranjero office" this may, or may not, be in the National Police Station.


A lot of places have closed and one now has to go to their main centre (Valencia for us 'round here).