Information about NIF
 

Can anyone help us with advise please. We have our NIFs in an A4 paper size, can we change them to a better size in some official dep.?

For any important purchase we make they ask us for the NIFs and they are getting a bit tatty in my handbag!!!!! :fingerscrossed:

Re: Information about NIF
 

A copy is perfectly adequate. In fact if making a purchase you just need to provide the number.

Re: Information about NIF
 

If you have a Spanish Drivers Licence then the number is shown on there. When I showed a copy of that A4 green paper I have been forbidden to be able to collect a parcel at the Correos.

Re: Information about NIF
 

I thought we could have some legal document the size of a card. Dreaming??????

Re: Information about NIF
 

Shame, we still have our UK driving licences...........

Re: Information about NIF
 

I was sceptical about changing over to a Spanish driving licence but it has paid dividends as it is the only ID I ever use. My passport and other forms of ID are filed and only come out if I have to produce them for official offices to photocopy them.

Rosemary

Re: Information about NIF
 

But it must be difficult to change the driving licence, do you have to have a medical, a driving exam etc, etc?????

Re: Information about NIF
 

A couple of points;

• are you being asked for NIE, NIF or 'residencia'?
• Is your A4 sheet white or green? - white is just your NIE whilst green is proof of having signed on the list of foreigners (AKA 'resiidencia')

If you have the green A4 sheet, then most extranjerias now offer this with a credit card sized cut-out. So, if you go back and ask for a replacement, then you may well get the size you are looking for.


@Casa Santo Estevo
This makes no sense unless they mean that the A4 sheet is NOT proof of ID so they are insisting that you show your passport in future (the only valid form of ID that us Brits now have).

Re: Information about NIF
 

No, it's very easy. Read this thread

http://britishexpats.com/forum/spain...thread-786975/

You "may" be asked for a medical certificate (easy to get), but you won't have to take a driving test.

Re: Information about NIF
 

Our experiences...mine and the wife.
Drivers Licence.
We first had our DLs from other European countries and registered it at traffico many many years ago. The law changed (was that in 2013?) Our DLs were still valid but we exchanged the original DLs for Spanish ones without any form of exam or medical. This covered (between us) all classes of vehicles) Note; that this is our experience what you may have found out could be different and we are not going to go into all the ins and outs. I am not will to start another one of those threads to which Fred has kindly linked too.
Note to the OP in the end you have to change your DL so why the reluctance?
As for the the experience at the Correos, yes the office blockhead,behind the desk needed our sheets of paper. He has even had an office get together at our casa rural, so it is not as if he does not know us. But the law says he needs to see ID with a number so that is what he got. Yes even with no photo on it. :banghead: Spain!!
Also note that as a small hotel we have to conform to the law of Spain. We have to see some sort of ID of which certain details are taken and sent to the Guardia Civil. We cannot take copies as proof of ID in this case either.
You will also need ID when using a card to make payments in a shop. This requires a photo with a photo on it. Again a DL comes in handy.

Re: Information about NIF
 

Note that UK driving licences (the plastic EU version) ONLY need to be changed to a Spanish one once they expire (every 10 years for most of us).

So, you don't have to change a (valid and current) UK licence to a Spanish one if you don't want to.

Re: Information about NIF
 

Small shops may ask you for photo id, but my experience is large shops do not. For instance AlCampo, Ikea, et al have self service checkouts installed now. So whether you use them or the normal cashier neither asks you for photo id. Leroy Merlin used to ask for it, but no longer do so, same with Brico Depot.

Re: Information about NIF
 

I find the comments on the production of the NIE document quite interesting. Having only been living here for five weeks now the only time I have been asked to produce the actual form was to get the Telecom/WiFi installed in our apartment. Our Solicitor opened our Bank account and arranged all the utilities connections and associated Direct Debit payments. I am assuming that as he had obtained our NIE Numbers for us, in our absence, he sorted all that side out. However, since being here we have totally re-furnished our apartment, soft furnishings and electrical, we paid with a Caxton FX Euro Cash Card but not once were we asked for our NIE Numbers or to produce the documentation. I guess it's just like the UK, beaurocracy and officialdom varies depending on who you are dealing with ?

Re: Information about NIF
 

Hola

Actually there is another advantage in having a Spanish driving licence if you are 70 or over; the UK driving licence is renewable every THREE years, whereas the Spanish licence is every FOUR years

Davexf

Re: Information about NIF
 

It's 5 years not 4.

Re: Information about NIF
 

Now I think I understand that there is two documents the NIF and the NIE, we only have the NIEs, since we are here for good, do we have to change them for the NIFs?

Re: Information about NIF
 

No - please read post #8


For us (as foreigners), a NIF and NIE are identical. You apply for an NIE only.

There is a separate document to sign on the list of foreigners (green A4 sheet or credit-card ).


You need to get the 'residencia' - the A4 green sheet/card as mentioned in post #8 if you are in Spain for more than 90 days.

Re: Information about NIF
 

Thank you all for your help!!!!!!

Re: Information about NIF
 

Ooh heck ! Here we go again, confused or what !! We have an NIE number, obtained on our behalf by our Spanish Lawyers. They informed us that we are able to reside in Spain as 'Temporary Residents' for 183 days in any one Calander year, this does not have to be consecutive days. There was never any mention of having to declare 'residencia' if we stayed for longer than 90 days, perhaps I need to go back to them and seek further clarification as I do not want to do anything illegal.

Re: Information about NIF
 

as per the other thread on a similar topic.

90 days or more in one lump = obliged to sign on the list of foreigners (aka get 'residencia')

183 days or more in one calendar year (not necessarily in one lump) = tax resident in Spain


There is really no concept of temporarily resident or permanently resident. You are either resident here or not and must follow the rules above.

Re: Information about NIF
 

Thank you :thumbsup:

Re: Information about NIF
 

Well, well, so we have to sign to be considered residents, can anybody tell me where?????
Txs

Re: Information about NIF
 

The law says that if you stay in Spain for more than 90 consecutive days you must register with the national police to be allowed to stay any longer. You are entered onto the register of EU foreigners who have the right to stay in Spain for more than 90 days. This, in no way, makes you a resident - it merely gives you the right to stay.

You will also have to prove that you have sufficient financial resources and have health cover, either with private health insurance, or if a UK state pensioner, entitled to reciprocal health care in Spain (that does not include the EHIC card).

After 183 days, not necessarily consecutive, in one calendar year, you become classed as a fiscal resident and have to pay Spanish income tax. That is the closest you will get to being a legal resident - signing on the register does not confer residency status, merely the right to stay.

It may seem odd that when the question of free movement within the EU is constantly being discussed, that you are having to go through this process. The reason is that although you have the right of free movement within the EU you do not have the right to remain in one country for more than 90 days.

This is an EU law, not some odd Spanish law. It applies in all EU countries, including the UK, but each country can decide whether it wishes to implement compulsory registration and proof of resources. The UK chooses not to do so, but Spain does.

Needless to say, this can give rise to many anomalies. Many people spend each winter in Spain. In theory they should register after 90 days and de-register when they leave. Clearly that would create an admin backlog (it's bad enough as it is!) so most temporary visitors just ignore the law and I am not aware that anyone has ever had any problems with that.

If you really do intend to live permanently in Spain, then proof of being on the register will be required as part of other registrations, so the sooner you do it after arriving, with the intent to remain, the better.