BigD

What do you do when your Residencia is about to expire.
Please let it be straightforward , and not go through that terrible ordeal of getting your first Residencia Card ?

Mitzyboy

You wont have to worry about getting a residencia CARD

snikpoh

... to be slightly more helpful than Mitzy ...

The card was phased out years ago - you now get an A4, green sheet. It's pretty much useless as it can not be used as proof of identity but you do need it to prove that you live here.

As I understand, the residencia never actually expires (or maybe that's only the NIE).

Mitzyboy

I was waiting for all you good folk to chip in!

Fred James

Read this thread - I know it's about NIE but the process is much the same.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=662890

For the new foreigners certificate you definitely need a filled in form and a copy, your passport and a copy. You may also be asked for photos and they may or may not take your old card away. It's worth having a photocopy of the card to give them and then they may not ask for the old card.

The rules are the same in every location but the individual's interpretation of them will vary.

Just be prepared for every eventuality. How long it will take depends again on the location - there are no hard and fast rules.

spainrico

Here is the UK in Spain sites information (who said us Expats had been abandoned by the UK Govn?)

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-.../residence-req

the Spanish form (EX 16) is here

http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/ex...nje/index.html

mikelincs

In Benidorm, we just took the completed forms in with all the required paperwork, and came out with the certificate, no waiting..

Fred James

Yes, it varies enormously. We spent just a few minutes sorting out the paperwork and the certificate was printed in that time.

The only reason they did not actually give it to us was that we had to get the tax paid at a local bank. Once that was done they just swapped the tax form for the certificate.

At the other office in the province I understand that it is totally different and you have to wait for hours.

scampicat

Do you actually HAVE to renew it?

Ours expired at the end of April and we have not got around to renewing them yet, no-one has noticed any difference nor said anything when we have used the expired ones.

We are going to the UK for several months in a fortnight, so may not renew then until we return (probably sometime in November).

Fred James

Yes, when your existing card runs out you are obliged to register on the list of EU foreigners.

You will be issued with a slightly different certificate compared to someone registering for the first time. As you have already been resident for 5 years then you apply for the "right of permanent residence" and the certificate is worded accordingly.

This certificate does not need renewing.

The office may ask for you old card or they may not.

Lenox

For some reason, we Europeans no longer need - or can obtain - a 'tarjeta de residencia'. The new paperwork - just as irritating to obtain as the old - has none of the advantages of a tarjeta de residencia. This paper is a receipt to show that you are registered with the Polioce (i.e. - the Ministry of the Interior, the Spanish Home Office). It is called 'Certificad de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión' and notes that the police have you on record as being called Joe, born in London on 12 Jan 1950, having parents called Archibald and Bertha (the Spanish are very keen on noting one's parents), your nationality, Spanish address and your NIE number. The Certificado has no photo (therefore not an ID document) and also carries the 'Aviso - this document is useless as an ID' notice. It's just a harassment, nothing more.

Fred James

They don't even seem to bother about that now. Although we entered those details, the certificate notes that my parents are "Ignorado and Ignorado".

No doubt that varies from office to office as well!