Residency Certificates for EU residents

[chris(madrid)]

SO THEN - I now have my nice new crisp "certificate of residency".

Couple of things struck me

1) NO EXPIRY DATE
2) It's VERY specific that it does NOT constitute proof of ID - unless accompanied by an ID from country of origin - for Brits that means passport.

I asked if it can be folded - it can.

Oddly was allowed to keep my OLD ID CARD. Was told that whilst it's no longer legal - it was easier to carry. Oh well - I shan't be carrying mine A4 sheet about, then. Just hope the new plastic driving licence is issued in June and I can carry one bit of paper less.

[mrypg9]

Originally Posted by chris(madrid)

SO THEN - I now have my nice new crisp "certificate of residency".

Couple of things struck me

1) NO EXPIRY DATE
2) It's VERY specific that it does NOT constitute proof of ID - unless accompanied by an ID from country of origin - for Brits that means passport.

I asked if it can be folded - it can.

Oddly was allowed to keep my OLD ID CARD. Was told that whilst it's no longer legal - it was easier to carry. Oh well - I shan't be carrying mine A4 sheet about, then. Just hope the new plastic driving licence is issued in June and I can carry one bit of paper less.

When I got my certificate I asked when it expired and was told it was 'forever'.......

[chris(madrid)]

Originally Posted by mrypg9

When I got my certificate I asked when it expired and was told it was 'forever'.......

Absolutely - BUT really it's only valid as long as you have another VALID ID (Passport or ID card). Basically it's only of real use if you need to demonstrate to some form of authority that you are in fact legally resident.

Note that id stopped by police etc - this will not be proof of ID - You will need something else. imo - this will be a SERIOUS reason to get a Spanish drivers licence if you live here full time.

[Martin Walsh]

My wife and I have just been accepted as teachers at a school in Mercia and the barrister attached to the school will be contacting us soon with other information for us, what other questions apart from the Residency and Padron certificates can you think to ask??? We are both EU natives with full eu passports.

Think I will be a regular visitor here from now on - great :-)

[SteveHall]

Welcome - please feel free to set up a new thread to introduce yourself and ask specific questions. Do you mean Murcia?

[Plym]

Before I moved to Spain, I was a bit worried hoping I'd be able to get the residencia. In the end, the worry was unjustified... it was so easy. Just print off the form and fill it in before you go, bring your passport and take a copy of your passport down to the policia and they didnt ask me any questions at all. A quick pop nextdoor to the bank to pay the E10 charge and a few mins later popping back to the policia my residencia was confirmed! Sweet. I've read stories since that the Spanish are a bit more lenient in their approach to handing out residencias and I certainly found that the case.

But still, be prepared!

[chris(madrid)]

Getting the A4 certificate is easy for EU members!. Oh and some banks etc WILL ask for it.

Tried to cash my expenses cheque today at the "issuing branch" and they wanted passport and NIE cert. The fact I have a NEW Spanish drivers licence and work for the town hall 150m from the branch) held no water (does with the GC and police). Oh well another good reason not to use "La Caixa".

God I miss my little plastic card.

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by Plym

Before I moved to Spain, I was a bit worried hoping I'd be able to get the residencia. In the end, the worry was unjustified... it was so easy. Just print off the form and fill it in before you go, bring your passport and take a copy of your passport down to the policia and they didnt ask me any questions at all. A quick pop nextdoor to the bank to pay the E10 charge and a few mins later popping back to the policia my residencia was confirmed! Sweet. I've read stories since that the Spanish are a bit more lenient in their approach to handing out residencias and I certainly found that the case.

But still, be prepared!

Congratulation! But, since others wait 6 month until they finally get the residence card, your post does confirm the total inconsistency of the Spanish administration system!
Eva33

[CLIVE]

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.

I went for mine last week in Motril...... took 20 mins. You (I) didn't need a Padron. The cost was 10€. All you needed was form E16, completed, plus a copy of it, and your passport and a copy of the main page of it (not ALL the pages). The main inconvenience was not being able to pay at the police station..... you had to go out looking for a bank (any one). How dickensian...!!!

[jessymoo]

We are coming over to the Murcia region for 6 months in a couple of weeks. Do we have to register anywhere as we are staying for so long. We will be bringing the caravan to stay on a campsite. Your help would be much apreciated.