Residency Certificates for EU residents

[8593rebecca]

Hi my hubby and I live in Ginestar and it looks likely to be permanent, we have our NIE numbers, basically, do we need to register as residents of Spain, what is the Padron? Certificate? Do you have a link to the E16 form? Can you help on how to complete it? I understood there are various forms of registration, e.g. permanent, temporary? We need to be sure that whatever we do it will not affect our pension entitlement when it kicks in, in a few years.

Can you help.

[mrypg9]

Originally Posted by 8593rebecca

Hi my hubby and I live in Ginestar and it looks likely to be permanent, we have our NIE numbers, basically, do we need to register as residents of Spain, what is the Padron? Certificate? Do you have a link to the E16 form? Can you help on how to complete it? I understood there are various forms of registration, e.g. permanent, temporary? We need to be sure that whatever we do it will not affect our pension entitlement when it kicks in, in a few years.

Can you help.

I'm no expert as I've only been here three months but in my experience the forms you need to fill in are basic and simple -names, date and place of birth, nationality etc.
We got residencia simultaneously with our NIEs as we stated that we intended to live here permanently. We don't work so explained that we had taken early retirement. You need residencia if you wish at some later stage - i.e. on official retirement date - to transfer from the NHS to the Spanish system as well as other things such as educating your children, if tthat is applicable.
The Padron seems similar to going on the electoral register. You are officially registered as resident at your address in your municipality. I believe you get certain tax concessions and it's easier when you need to do certain things (not sure what) and you get a vote in local and European elections, but not for elections to the Cortes.
The more established expats on this site will fill in any omissions but my main point would be that you get many benefits from a very little effort.

[chris(madrid)]

Originally Posted by chris(madrid)

Guess where I'll be on Monday? - Watch this space

Well, that's that done - fairly quickly attended.

Now just have to return next week to collect said document. And (DAMMIT!) it'll be a certificate not a card.

The WORST it was, and will be worse still next week because I was told to go later, the traffic. Ker'ist!.

[8593rebecca]

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

As from roughly March last year (2007) it is now a legal requirement for you in Spain to have a residency certificate. Before that date it was not necessary, but the EU pushed Spain into a corner and this is the way they reacted.

So ..... as soon as you are resident in this country you need to apply, usually to your local Police station, for said certificate within 30 days

You need to complete Form EX 16 and then queue normally for a very long time. After the form is accepted they will give you a payment slip which you take to the nearest bank. Take the slip back to the Police station and they will issue you with the certificate. The cost is about €6.80, and you dont need photographs. Take your passport and you padron certificate.

We don't have a padron certificate, what is it? And where would we get one?

Thanks

Rebecca

[8593rebecca]

Originally Posted by mrypg9

I'm no expert as I've only been here three months but in my experience the forms you need to fill in are basic and simple -names, date and place of birth, nationality etc.
We got residencia simultaneously with our NIEs as we stated that we intended to live here permanently. We don't work so explained that we had taken early retirement. You need residencia if you wish at some later stage - i.e. on official retirement date - to transfer from the NHS to the Spanish system as well as other things such as educating your children, if tthat is applicable.
The Padron seems similar to going on the electoral register. You are officially registered as resident at your address in your municipality. I believe you get certain tax concessions and it's easier when you need to do certain things (not sure what) and you get a vote in local and European elections, but not for elections to the Cortes.
The more established expats on this site will fill in any omissions but my main point would be that you get many benefits from a very little effort.

Ah, we are hopefully doing a newbuild so we should get a padron when the property is built?

[chris(madrid)]

Hi - MY RECOMMENDATION is get on teh padron as soon as you can. If you have a rental address use it - and change address when you have the house built. There are some services where the time you've been on the PADRON makes a difference.

It's basicaly the local CENSUS - register at the town halll.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by mrypg9

You need residencia if you wish at some later stage - i.e. on official retirement date - to transfer from the NHS to the Spanish system as well as other things such as educating your children, if tthat is applicable.

Err just to clarify this ...... you need a residencia, full stop, if you reside here. Going onto the spanish system, kids, etc has nothing to do with the requirement.

I may have misunderstood you, but you actually "transfer out" of the NHS as soon as you no longer reside in the UK. Many people think that you can just pop back when you need treatment, but legally you cant ..... it would be fraudulent

[mrypg9]

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Err just to clarify this ...... you need a residencia, full stop, if you reside here. Going onto the spanish system, kids, etc has nothing to do with the requirement.

I may have misunderstood you, but you actually "transfer out" of the NHS as soon as you no longer reside in the UK. Many people think that you can just pop back when you need treatment, but legally you cant ..... it would be fraudulent

I'm aware that you can't get treatment, in the UK, apart from emergency treatment, once you leave the UK NHS. I transferred to the Czech system for the last year I was there so know all about the rules and regs. You are actually required to send your UK EHIC back once you're officially off the NHS books!
I wonder whether the Spanish residencia somewhat resembles the Czech 'Temporary Residence Permit' in that you may never use it or be asked to show you have it unless you work or have children or are retired and need health cover? I was required to show evidence of possession of this wretched Czech permit, the aquisition of which cost me £300 as I paid an Agency rather than plough my way through the maze of Czech bureaucracy, only once -when registering a car I bought.
My son and daughter-in-law have properties here and spend a lot of time in Spain although their principle place of residence is the UK. They have a NIE for tax purposes but no residencia although the total of days spent here could add up to three figures. Presumably they should have one -but how do you prove the number of days spent here? I used to fly from Prague to London and back once a week and not once was my passport stamped. Yet stern regulations required you to get registered with the local police withi 30 days of arriving in the Czech Republic....
I've been driving a UK plated left-hand drive car since I got here and once,in Estepona, had to show documents to the Policia when I parked where I shouldn't have. (The very nice policemen decided not to fine me) They were totally disinterested in my car details, how long I'd had the vehicle here, didn't want to see licence, insurance details or even my passport. They just wanted my NIE.
I suppose it all depends...

[chris(madrid)]

I can tell you that the local police in the Town hall I work in - have been told (by the mayor) to start checking foreign plated cars and NIE's. And also insurance. This as of last month. Right now ANY excuse to recuperate revenue is been taken. In larger towns the effort may be too great.

The GC is also stepping up spot checks. If they are in ANY doubt - the vehicle will be impounded. The GC ime will check ALL PAPERS - every time - as will national Police (Trafico). Unlike the local police they are specifically sent out to trap traffic violators.

[mrypg9]

Originally Posted by chris(madrid)

I can tell you that the local police in the Town hall I work in - have been told (by the mayor) to start checking foreign plated cars and NIE's. And also insurance. This as of last month. Right now ANY excuse to recuperate revenue is been taken. In larger towns the effort may be too great.

The GC is also stepping up spot checks. If they are in ANY doubt - the vehicle will be impounded. The GC ime will check ALL PAPERS - every time - as will national Police (Trafico). Unlike the local police they are specifically sent out to trap traffic violators.

And quite right too. Why should people get away with dodging taxes of any kind?
Our UK plated car has tax until November, full European insurance and doesn't yet need an MOT. Insurance alone was nearly £900. Why should others get a 'free ride'?Our Spanish plated 4x4 has all the correct paperwork too. Presumably most expats here do what is required. It annoys me when people think they can get away with flouting laws or dodging taxes.
It just struck me as odd that the police weren't all at interested in anything other than my NIE. After all, what's the first thing UK police ask for?
Licence, insurance details, MOT if applicable.................