Residence permit
Spain, in common with the majority of countries in the EU, has a national identity card system. The card must be carried at all times, and has an id-number which uniquely identifies the carrier within the Spanish system. The number is also the tax number (but not, curiously, the social security number).
Foreign visitors are obliged to carry identification with them at all times whilst visiting Spain. In theory, for visitors from the UK, this means that you must carry your passport with you at all times (other nationalities need only carry their national id card). In practice, the Spanish police are quite happy with the new British driving licence (the picture version).
Until 14 February 2003, if you were intending to live permanently in Spain, you were obliged to apply for a 'Residencia' (commonly referred to as a 'tarjeta'). This is now no longer the case for all intending 'settlers', but probably for most of them:
- If you are taking up employment in Spain and paying Spanish social security --or-- if you are a bona fide student --or-- if you are self-employed in Spain (again, paying Spanish social security) --or-- if you are an EU national dependant of an EU or Spanish national, you will not need to apply for a 'Residencia'.
- Other persons, in particular persons who have become pensioners since living in Spain for a minimum of 3 years, may also not need a residence permit.
- Even if you are not required to apply, you have the right to apply for a 'Residencia'.
Most of our customers moving to Spain do not qualify for the exemption, as they tend to be moving to Spain to spend their retirement. If you fall into this category, speak to your friendly 'gestor' or lawyer about the application, as trying to handle the paperwork without their assistance has defeated even good Spanish speaker.
Even if you do qualify for the exemption, you will need to apply for an N.I.E. (national identification number for foreigners), as you will be unable to do anything without it ! Again, speak to a 'gestor' or your lawyer, as the application can result in at least 2 visits to the provincial capital and much waiting.
Links to other documents on the subject of residence permit:
The British Embassy in Spain has a website, www.ukinspain.com which offers quite a lot of useful information for UK expats living in Spain. For more detailed information on the question of 'Residencias', click on this link.
If your Spanish is good, and you are feeling adventurous, you can retrieve a pdf version of the Spanish Royal Decree here.