Hi, hope someone can answer this for me. When our residencia cards expired we duly went to the necessary office in Granada and got the A4, green, piece of paper that shows we are registered with them. As we have lived in Spain over 15 years and been official residents since not long after, our forms state that "como residente comunitario con caracter permanente en Espana, desde el tres de mayo de dos mil dos" (as a community resident with permanent character in Spain, since May 3, two thousand and two). I was told that we didn't have to renew this as it stated we were permanent residents. It also states that "for regulation purposes the form was issued on February 5, 2008".

We have not moved house so have had no need to re-register. I have now been told that we are supposed to renew our registration as the rules have changed. Can anyone confirm if we have to re-register or was the person who told me misinformed. Thanks for your help.

I am not aware that anything has changed. The registration is valid until you leave Spain permanently or change address or marital status.

The person who told you may have confused it with the Padron. Some towns has been insisting that you renew your Padron, but apart from special cases that is also not compulsory.

I thought you would know the answer. Thank you.

The rules have changed for those people applying now - you actually need to show an income or sufficient funds in the bank and have health cover. Anyone who is already on the register this doesn't apply to them.

Not directly related, but an NIE question.

I have recently changed my fiscal rep (I am non resident) and something has come to light. Have now been advised that my original NIE certificate dated 1997 needs to be renewed/updated.
This would become apparent if, for example, I wanted to change my Spanish car.

Can anyone confirm this, and what is involved.

Advice much appreciated.

This is also incorrect. Your NIE certificate (white, A4 sheet) is just as valid now as it was when it was issued.

Thanks for the info.
My 1997 NIE A4 document is actually yellow(ish). I was told that although the number remains the same, the document needs updating. At this stage I don't thing the solicitor was touting for business - they just advised that it may be a problem for some transactions such as changing my car.

For some transactions you may be required to produce a certificate issued within the last 90 days. The same applies to the Padron. Buying a car as a non resident is a good example of this.

As Snikpoh says, the number is valid for ever but the original certificate may not be accepted.

Many thanks.

My wife and I got our residencia in June 2016. We were told that it is temporary and that we will need to re apply after 5 years. However we have now been told that under EU law we will automatically become permenant residents. Is this correct?

Thats a relief. Don't want to go through all that again in the boiling heat of a Seville summer. It did say on the form when we applied that we could only apply for temporary residence in the first instance, but it is good enough for me!

Despite whatever Brexit brings ?

I too have a handwritten NIE issued on a yellow form in 2000 which I am informed is now unacceptable but as I have a residencia green form with my NIE that is now considered sufficient and no re-application for a new NIE form is required. However, as I think the OP on this point was a non-resident they may need to obtain (same NIE number) a modern replacement.