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EU residency certificate in Spain
The Certificado de registro como residente comunitario/ Certificate of residence for EU community nationals
Basic fact sheets for those living in, or moving to, Spain. Click for full list of factsheets.
Living in Spain, Factsheet 5, Registering for an EU Residency Certificate in Spain
Sadly, the classic Spanish residency card no longer exists. Although it continues to prompt nostalgia from expats who have been here a while, for some years now the card has been replaced by an impractical A4-sized residency certificate which is more difficult to carry around in a wallet than the plastic identity card formerly issued. What’s more, new legislation in 2012 added new conditions relating to healthcare, employment and financial viability that must be met by anyone wishing to stay in Spain for longer than three months.
This factsheet explains the current requirements for Spanish residency and the general process for registration and obtaining the certificate. It’s fair to say that details such as fees (and even additional paperwork requirements) may vary from province to province so when registering, it is only wise to check for any local requirements at the relevant ayuntamiento or town hall.
The websites of the British Embassy and the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office have been used as factual sources for the following information on the grounds that they, if anyone, should be able to cut through the general debate and confusion that has prevailed since the 2012 legislation.
In a nutshell…
Any national of an EU member state OR another state that is party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area OR Switzerland who intends to reside in Spain for a period of more than three months, must register with the Registro Central de Extranjeros, the Central Spanish register of foreign nationals, at their local Extranjería ( Oficina de Extranjero) or Foreigners’ Office or in larger towns and cities this may also be done at the offices of the Policia Nacional.
The Process
Registration takes place at the local Oficina de Extranjeros (Immigration Office) or at certain designated police stations.
Applicants will need:
Either a valid passport or a national identity card or similar document.
A copy of their NIE number.
Completed Form EX18, which can be collected and completed at the point of application.
A Modelo 790 payment form to prove that payment has been made at a bank. ( The normal procedure is to fill in and submit the forms, then go to the bank and make the payment and then go back to collect the certificate. )
(A copy of registration on the local Padrón may also be required.)
Additional documentation is required to prove that the applicant can financially support themselves and any dependents. This documentation will depend on exactly how they intend to support themselves in Spain; as follows:
Employed Workers…
…will need a certificate of employment or a declaration from an employer stating that they have been hired. This certificate or declaration must include the following minimum details:
• The name and address of the company
• The employer’s tax identification
• The employer’s Social Security number
A copy of an employment contract registered with the Public Employment Service or a document of registration with the corresponding Social Security System may be necessary OR the applicant can agree to have their details checked against the register of the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social.
Self-Employed Workers…
…must prove that they are self-employed. This can be done by producing their registration on the appropriate Seguridad Social scheme or on the Censo de Actividades Económicos or the Registro Mercantil, as appropriate depending on their occupation. Again, the applicant may simply agree to have their details checked against the register of the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social or the Agencia Tributaria (the ‘Hacienda’).
Non-Workers…
…must provide evidence of two things:
• Public or private health insurance that covers them in Spain (pensioners entitled to health care paid for by the state that pays their pension will be considered to have met this condition, on showing the necessary certificate, of course).
• They have sufficient financial resources for themselves and their dependents so as not to be a burden on the state during their residency in Spain. This might be proof of regular income or ownership of assets.
Students…
…must prove that they are enrolled in a public or private properly-accredited educational establishment AND that they appropriate public or private health insurance (a valid European Health Insurance Card is sufficient). Students will also need a sworn statement that they have sufficient financial resources for themselves and any dependents for the period of their residency. If the applicant is taking part in a European Union programme of educational exchange then that will be seen as sufficient proof of compliance.
If, on the day of registration, an applicant doesn’t meet any of the necessary requirements (a piece of missing paperwork is the most common reason) then they will have 10 days to correct the situation before it is assumed that the application has been abandoned.
Once all the requirements have been met according to the applicant’s status, the certificate will be issued on the spot.
After this there is a requirement to notify the issuing office if there is any change to personal circumstances, such as marriage, divorce, change of address or death.
It is important to note that this is not an identity document, as it does not carry a photograph, so for this reason a passport should be taken along on all occasions when formal identification is required.
It is always advisable to take photocopies of all core documentation, and when undertaking any sort of bureaucratic process to carry a folder with three copies of all basic documents, copies of domestic bills as proof of residence, and spare passport sized photographs as it can be very frustrating when the one piece of paper requested by a zealous official is at home and not in the folder.
What about family members?
Naturally, only one person in a family unit has to meet these requirements and their right to residence is extended to their spouse and any direct descendants who are under 21 years of age OR disabled OR can be proven to be dependent on the applicant.
For other info to help you deal with common issues in Spain go to the index of Ex-pat fact sheets
Cartagena
El Carmoli
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Manga del Mar Menor
La Puebla
La Torre Golf Resort
La Union
Los Alcazares
Los Belones
Los Nietos
Los Urrutias
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Pilar de la Horadada
Playa Honda / Playa Paraiso
Portman
Roldan and Lo Ferro
San Javier
San Pedro del Pinatar
Santa Rosalia Lake and Life resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
Torre Pacheco
Aledo
Alhama de Murcia
Bolnuevo
Camposol
Condado de Alhama
Fuente Alamo
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Lorca
Mazarron
Puerto de Mazarron
Puerto Lumbreras
Sierra Espuna
Totana
Abaran
Alcantarilla
Archena
Blanca
Corvera
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Lorqui
Molina de Segura
Mosa Trajectum
Murcia City
Peraleja Golf Resort
Ricote
Sucina
Condado de Alhama
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Torre Golf Resort
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Mazarron Country Club
Mosa Trajectum
Peraleja Golf Resort
Santa Rosalia Lake and Life resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
La Zenia
Lomas de Cabo Roig
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