British expat denied return to Spain
#31
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Joined: Jun 2017
Location: Alicante
Posts: 917
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
Even without COVID travelling back to UK over the end of the transition period with anything less than a TIE was always going to be a gamble - and when you gamble very often you lose.
#32
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 660
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
How on earth is it a gamble.? The law is : green card and TIE. And that is still the law
#33
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,129
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
Who knows, maybe there'll be another blink-and-you'll-miss-it chance to get in.
#34
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Joined: Jun 2017
Location: Alicante
Posts: 917
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
Have you not yet realised that In Spanish terms the the law as often as not is what the bureaucrat administering it decides it to be?
If the law was the law then this thread, and many others like it both here and elsewhere, would not exist now would they?
Last edited by Notdunroamin; Jan 22nd 2021 at 2:35 am.
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,588
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
It seems to me that the green card issue has been resolved by the Spanish government. Part of the issue from some comments, was some had photocopies or didn't bother taking their residencia in the first place, governments can't be held responsible for that.
#36
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Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Costa Blanca
Posts: 3,120
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
Latest from UK Embassy Madrid:-
We are aware that some UK nationals resident in Spain, have had your passports stamped at border control.
The general rule is that UK nationals who can demonstrate that they were resident in Spain before 1 January 2021 should not have their passport stamped or be subject to routine intentions questioning upon entry, exit and transit through the Schengen border.
If you are resident in Spain, you should therefore always travel with both your valid passport and proof of your residence status, such as:
• your residence document: the green paper EU certificate or the new TIE. The Spanish authorities have published guidance on the continued validity of the green residency certificate here:
http://www.inclusion.gob.es/.../nota_aclaratoria_green...
• a certificate of application for residency in Spain,
• or other documentation that shows you were resident in Spain prior to the end of the transition period.
If you have had your passport incorrectly stamped, despite showing proof of residency, we want to reassure you that your rights in Spain will not be affected. The stamp will also not affect your ability to apply for residency in Spain, under the Withdrawal Agreement, as long as you can demonstrate that you were legally residing here by 31 December 2020.
When travelling in the future, any stamp will be considered null and void when accompanied by evidence of lawful residence such as your residency certificate. Some border authorities may annul incorrect stamps when presented with evidence of residence, but this is not required.
As you will all be aware, travel should currently only be undertaken for essential reasons and additional restrictions are in place for travel from the UK to Spain until 2 February 2021. For the latest information on travel, please sign up for alerts at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...I6489RddVbTKIM
We are aware that some UK nationals resident in Spain, have had your passports stamped at border control.
The general rule is that UK nationals who can demonstrate that they were resident in Spain before 1 January 2021 should not have their passport stamped or be subject to routine intentions questioning upon entry, exit and transit through the Schengen border.
If you are resident in Spain, you should therefore always travel with both your valid passport and proof of your residence status, such as:
• your residence document: the green paper EU certificate or the new TIE. The Spanish authorities have published guidance on the continued validity of the green residency certificate here:
http://www.inclusion.gob.es/.../nota_aclaratoria_green...
• a certificate of application for residency in Spain,
• or other documentation that shows you were resident in Spain prior to the end of the transition period.
If you have had your passport incorrectly stamped, despite showing proof of residency, we want to reassure you that your rights in Spain will not be affected. The stamp will also not affect your ability to apply for residency in Spain, under the Withdrawal Agreement, as long as you can demonstrate that you were legally residing here by 31 December 2020.
When travelling in the future, any stamp will be considered null and void when accompanied by evidence of lawful residence such as your residency certificate. Some border authorities may annul incorrect stamps when presented with evidence of residence, but this is not required.
As you will all be aware, travel should currently only be undertaken for essential reasons and additional restrictions are in place for travel from the UK to Spain until 2 February 2021. For the latest information on travel, please sign up for alerts at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...I6489RddVbTKIM
Last edited by spainrico; Jan 22nd 2021 at 8:48 am.
#37
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 660
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
Well it very much looks like the EU will ask countries to completely close borders specifically to UK travellers. Given predictions as to length of restrictions I would say all travellers from UK will have to wait until perhaps the summer before they can return/ visit Spain.
#39
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Joined: Jun 2017
Location: Alicante
Posts: 917
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
Believe it or not there are still people out there who have not heard of the TIE, or the imperitive to become legally resident, or that they now face having to take a Spanish driving test.
My only sentiment toward them will be one of schadenfreude!
My only sentiment toward them will be one of schadenfreude!
#40
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction when something bad happens to someone else, is a bit strong
#41
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
Rosemary
#42
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2017
Location: Alicante
Posts: 917
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
I'm talking about the chancers and duckers and divers who have been here under the radar for years with their heads buried in the sand believing nothing applies to them.
We all know them and who's sympathy will they deserve when their casas of cards collapse around them as sooner or later they surely now will?
We all know them and who's sympathy will they deserve when their casas of cards collapse around them as sooner or later they surely now will?
#43
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: Nr Denia
Posts: 295
Re: British expat denied return to Spain
They'll have none from me.