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Old-style Spanish residency card Residencia - Applying For Residency In Spain Expat Tips

How To Get Permanent Residency In Spain

Moving to another country takes a lot of organising and unfortunately, even once you’ve made the move, the list of things you need to do continues. Moving to Spain is no different. You’ve got to sort out a bank account, get an NIE number, register with a doctor, and get your children into school - the list goes on.

These are things that we know we have to do, but what about the things we are unsure of? One example is getting permanent residency in Spain or ‘Residencia’.

Many foreigners in Spain don’t bother applying for this, but Spanish law says that if you plan on living in Spain for more than three months (90 days), you have to apply for permanent Spanish residency.

Before 2007, foreigners living in Spain for more than six months had to apply for the foreign EU Residence Card (Residencia). However, this all changed with the new Royal Decree of 16th February 2007, which states that foreign residents from EU countries living in Spain for more than 90 days must apply for the new Resident Certificate (Certificado de Residente). To get this, you have to be entered into the Central Register for Foreign Nationals or 'Registro Central de Extranjeros'.

Residency Process In Spain For Non-EU and EEA Citizens (Including UK Nationals)

British citizens living in Spain before the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020, were assured of their residency rights under the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement.

The existing old-style A4 green certificates are still valid and continue to demonstrate that you are legally resident in Spain. However, you are now being encouraged to exchange these for the new biometric TIE card

From 2021 onwards, any UK nationals arriving in Spain and wishing to reside here permanently will now have to follow the same path as those from outside of the EU and EEA and obtain one of the permanent residency visas.

You can find out more about these via our Spanish residency visas page.

Those not from the UK or the EU/EEA will also have to apply for an appropriate residency visa.

Residency Process For EU and EEA Nationals 2023

If you are an EU or EEA (European Economic Area) citizen, you and your family automatically have the right to live or work in Spain.

If you are visiting for no more than 90 days you won’t need to apply for any additional Spanish documentation unless you plan on studying, working or purchasing a property during this time. If this is the case you will also need to apply for your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjeros).

If you plan on staying for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for your permanent Spanish residency certificate which now comes in the form of a credit card-sized document.

In Spain, the issuing of immigration documents is the remit of the National Police or ‘Cuerpo Nacional de Policía’. The immigration department is commonly referred to as the ‘Oficina de Extranjería’.

Below we outline the three key steps you will need to undertake to get your residency certificate.

Please remember that the process below is for EU/EEA nationals. Those from the UK and outside of the EU/EEA will need to apply for an appropriate residency visa.

STEP 1 - Find somewhere to live

To be issued your residency card, you will need to demonstrate proof that you have a permanent address here in Spain.

In most cases, this will be either proof that you own your own property in the form of a property deed (Nota Simple) or a rental contract. If renting, you are advised to have a contract of at least 11 months.

STEP 2 - Register yourself and your family members at the Town Hall (Empadronamiento)

The second step is to register yourself and each of your family members at the Town Hall. This is commonly referred to as ‘Empadronamiento’ in Spanish which means you will be placed on the ‘Padrón’ or Municipal Register. This is the equivalent of the electoral roll in the UK and other countries.

You will simply need to complete the form, detailing where you live and give details of those who live with you.

Being registered on the Padrón allows the town hall to know how many citizens live in the municipality. Funding is then allocated to the local government via the central government. It is important that you register, as everyone within your community will benefit as a result of better services and facilities.

Valencia town hall

Once you are registered you will often be able to obtain certain discounts and reductions to sporting venues, museums and other local establishments. It will also enable you to register your children at a local school or nursery.

You will need to take the following documentation with you to the town hall:-

  • Your passport and a photocopy
  • Rental contract or property deeds if you will be living in your own property
  • A completed form obtained from the town hall
  • NIE number
  • A recent utility bill

Once registered you will receive your certificate which is titled “Certificado de Empadronamiento”.

If you ever leave Spain, you should take a moment to notify the town hall so you can be de-registered.

You can find your nearest ayuntamiento (town hall) here.

STEP 3 - Make the residency application

Once you have found somewhere to live and have registered yourself on the Padrón, you will need to get your documentation in order so that you can make the residency application and obtain your TIE (Tarjeta de Identificación del Extranjero).

This card will demonstrate that you are legally resident in Spain and have been added to the Central Registry of Foreign Nationals or ‘Registro Central de Extranjeros’.

EX18 Application Form

One of the first things you will need to do is download and print a copy of the EX18 residency application document.

You can download this from the following official address.

https://extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es/ficheros/Modelos_solicitudes/mod_solicitudes2/18-Certificado_residencia_comunitaria.pdf

Once printed, you will need to complete the form in full.

Residency Application Fees

There is a fee of €12 to process your application which will need to be paid before attending your appointment at the immigration office.

The form to complete is Modelo 790 and can be completed at the following official address online.

https://sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/ImpresoRellenar

You will need to select the option, “Certificado de registro de residente comunitario o Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de un ciudadano de la Unión.

Once completed, you will be able to download and print the form. This can then be taken to any bank where you will be able to make the payment.

You may also pay by entering your bank account details via the online form.

Make an Appointment Online

The final step in the process is to make the application so you can obtain your TIE residency card.

Once you have all your documentation in place and have paid the application fee, you will need to go to the following web page and make an appointment at the nearest immigration office where you will be living.

https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/icpplus

You will need to make sure you apply for your appointment within 3 months of arrival in Spain.

Required Documentation

At your appointment, you will need to present the following documentation.

  • Your completed EX18 form
  • 2 x passport-sized photos
  • A valid passport and a photocopy
  • Proof of sufficient income for yourself and any dependents
  • Private health insurance contract (If not working). If you are a pensioner, certification of having had health care at the expense of the State for which they receive a pension.
  • Birth certificate for those under 16
  • Padrón certificate
  • Rental contract or property deeds.
  • NIE number - If you have one otherwise one will be assigned to you with the residency certificate.

Depending on your situation, you may require other documents such as a certificate of employment, proof of registration of self-employment, and proof that you are paying social security in Spain.

Once the process is complete, you will receive your registration certificate stating the registered person's name, nationality, address, and NIE number.

Proof of Income for EU Residents

Evidence of adequate financial means to support yourself and your family in Spain, which may include a bank statement, income statement, employment contract, self-employment registration, or proof of assets. The minimum amount required is 100% of the 2023 IPREM, equivalent to €7,200 for the primary applicant, and 75% of IPREM, or €5,400 for each dependent family member.

If you are not from the EU/EEA, you will need to provide evidence of your income when applying for your residency visa. This is higher than the threshold for EU/EEA nationals. For details see our page - Minimum income for residency in Spain.

Proof of Income Documentation

There are several ways to demonstrate that you have sufficient income to sustain yourself and your family while here.

This can be in the form of an income statement, proof of assets, a work contract or a bank statement that shows the last six months of income.

If you will be operating a business in Spain, a document to show your company’s operations and accounts should be sufficient.

If you are a pensioner, then a pension statement will need to be presented as proof of income.

How To Check Your Residency Application

After making your application, you can track it and learn whether you have been successful or not.

There are currently three different ways to do this; online, via SMS message or by calling an automated phone line. Please see our other article and learn how to check your Spanish residency application.

How Long Before You Lose Residency If Leaving The Country?

Once you have had your residency approved, it's important that you do not lose it! One way this can happen is if you spend too long out of the country.

The amount of time you are allowed can depend on whether you are classed as a temporary or permanent resident and also whether you are an EU or non-EU citizen.

Read our extensive article and find out how long you can be away from Spain without losing your residency status.

Proof of Private Health Insurance

If you are under pensionable age you will need to show proof of a private health insurance policy (without excesses), which we at Health Plan Spain can provide you with. The most popular plan for these purposes is our Sanitas Mas Salud plan.

Image courtesy of Andreas Rueda on Flickr

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