Monkey104

Fred James

Monkey104

1sexsmith

You shouldn't be applying for residencia until you are living there. You can't have residencia but not actually live there. So you shouldn't be trying to get residencia in October if you wont be living there until March. It is a bit like asking for residencia when you are holiday because you intend to live there one day! Also this will impact on tax etc. When do you intend to tell the UK gov you left? It all gets complicated. Why the rush?

snikpoh

Don't forget that you can be resident but not tax resident. Just don't stay more than 183 days in a calendar year.

So for the OP, tax is not an issue!

However, you can only register as resident where you live (reside) and if that is the UK until March, then you really are jumping the gun a little.

Fred James

It is not "residencia" - it is only the right to stay for more than 90 days. You could be resident in the UK and want to stay in Spain for 100 days - in which case you would have to sign on. If you wish to sign on the register because it is your intention to reside you can. Also it has nothing to do with tax as that is dealt with separately. You can be on the register and not be tax resident.

However, I agree with you that it is rather pointless going to all the expense etc if you are not going to officially need to until March.

bobd22

I can understand the OPs reasoning, Brexit better to be resident pre 29 March as if there is a deal of some sort done you are entitled to rights agreed last December. Yes there is talk of the freedom of movement continuing in transition but will that include all the agreed rights? If you miss that date and they are not covered it may well simply be tough luck. So being prepared and now is to me a good idea. I agree with Fred if your intention is to reside for over 90 days then you can get residencia on arrival.

Monkey104

ValTay0607

If one intends to reside 183 days spread over a 12 month period does one have to register? Anyone know?

snikpoh

The 183 days are per calendar year.

Once tax resident, it is my understanding that you are also a 'domicile' resident and so should register as such.


You can be resident but not tax resident but once tax resident, you are automatically resident (ISTR)

bobd22

The 183 days is fiscal residency which once you excede 183 in 12 month period 1 Jan to 31 August then you would be liable to pay Spanish income tax. That is whether you have obtained the green residencia (signed on foreigners register or not). I you spend up to 182 days per year and no one stay is over 90 days then you need currently to do nothing neither will you be tax (fiscal resident).

ValTay0607

Thanks for reply guys, Best,

bobd22

Sorry just realised error that is 183 days 1 Jan to 31 Dec

TeamSpirit

Hello, I do wonder who is dealing with registering you for your NIE numbers so that you can even buy the property? I hope you are in good hands? I know it is confusing at first, I was very confused myself. It seems to be a thing here in Spain though, as if a clear explanation of procedures were forbidden!
You need to apply for a NIE number before you can become the legal owner of a property in Spain. You need this number for all manner of official things: bank, health, car, property, etc. This is the very first thing to do.
If you haven't already done this: if you want to be registered in advance you can look online, the Spanish government website allows you to apply for NIE online. I'm not sure if I am allowed to paste a link, but just google "apply NIE online", they have all the info and forms to download in English on their website. Please note that getting a NIE number is not the same as being a resident. Residency is a separate issue and there is no legal requirement for you to become a resident at this point.
Personally (I speak v.g. Spanish however), once we were in Spain, we just went to the special Police dept.to register, called the Extranjería. The local village/town police will be able to tell you where you would need to go for your area. The Extranjería give you a simple form (in Spanish) which you fill out and towards the bottom there's a place to cross "Tourist" NOT resident - that way you will receive a NIE number within a week, which you need for opening a bank account, renting/buying a property, etc., but you are not subject to taxation, so you are officially registered and recognised by the state, but you are not tax-registered. I don't know if the online version offers this alternative. I imagine so, as people sometimes just need a NIE number to buy a property although they live in another country. I seem to recall reading that the Govt has just made changes to make this process easier.
If I remember correctly, to apply for a tourist NIE you just need a passport and a local address and a EHIC card. We had rented a house for 6 months and provided a copy of the contract. Have a look what the Govt. website says they require for a Tourist NIE, not residency.
Regarding healthcare: as long as you are registered as a tourist, your UK version of the EHIC card (don't know how it's done in the UK these days) is your proof of health care. If you were to need health care, you show the doctor/hospital this card. Some things you still may have to pay for though, like X-rays. However, it's usually not too expensive. Dental procedures are not covered, you have to pay that yourself, even when you do have Spanish health care. I think you are then just covered for a basic check-up.
We stayed registered as tourists for several years, coming and going until we came to live here permanently, and then we just went to the Extranjería again and said we're here for good now. This means you are going to spend more than 183 days in the country. This is when they then want to see that you have enough income, a rental contract, etc. as the address you give becomes your fiscal address. It is VERY important to make sure post can get to that address or you should have post from Hacienda (tax office) redirected to a gestor (a kind of accountant) so you don't miss out on payment demands and end up paying fines! They know about this.
The base level income requirement per person is the minimum income p.a. as stipulated by the Spanish government and is published in the internet, or a gestor will be able to tell you what the present figure is. I seem to remember it was under 10K p/p and p/a, but it may have changed, so do get someone to help you!
Once you are a resident, then you go with your NIE to the local town hall to register for "empadronamiento", which is a local register and means the town will receive more money to provide you with services like street lights, rubbish removal, etc., and you get free library access.
With your NIE card, contract, proof of empadronamiento, you then go to the local "Centro de Salud", which is your town's equivalent of your local GP (kind of!). They will register you and give you a Social Security type number which means you are entitled to Spanish health care. You then go to that Centro de Salud if you are ill.

My tip: if you do decide to do everything yourself, make copious amounts of photocopies as everyone seems to want copies. I must also say that in my experience, your luck, and "the rules", are very dependent upon who you meet in these places.
Wishing you the best of luck!

snikpoh

Comments in line