New Residency rules
 

The Spanish Ministry of Immigration have published a document entitled “Regulations governing EU citizens in Spain”.

It is available from http://extranjeros.mtas.es/es/Inform...ION_INGLES.pdf

Re: New Residency rules
 

:thumbup:
Thanks for that, looks a lot of reading but well worth it, if it doesn't tie ones brain in knots!!
Luv Eve

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Eh, I always see people talking about changes to the rules. Is this another change or just a place to find the rules?

Re: New Residency rules
 

Thanks for that Fred.....even if it does just confirm the bad news!

I think I´m going to pretend I have lost my tarjeta and apply for a new one so that I have TWO. Then I can hand one in when I go to exchange it for the certificate, but still maintain one card (albeit out of date!).

Re: New Residency rules
 

It is the only official place (that I am aware of) where you can find the rules in English.

The new rules were introduced in April 2007.

Re: New Residency rules
 

Thanks, just read through it. Doesn't seem that bad!

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It would be easier to make a photocopy and show them that when you apply for your certificate in due course.

I dont think you are obliged to surrender the old one - if you do have to, that's the time to say you have lost it!

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Ok. Sounds like a plan!

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Oh No not [B]more[B] paperwork :eek:

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Unfortunately the police cancel the first one when you report it stolen. I found my tarjeta after I had ordered a new one and kept it on me as a spare thinking like you. Then the police stopped me in the car and I showed the old one to them as ID without thinking. They checked and said I was carrying a stolen card so I had a lot of explaining to do and they weren´t happy at all!

Re: New Residency rules
 

Thank you Fred for that link.
Why this information isn't on the mir site where you download the application form I don't know!

Re: New Residency rules
 

There are loads of details on the back of the form but of course they are only in Spanish.

I am impressed that they have at least provided info in English on the site I showed but is asking a lot to have the forms in English - they would need to be in all the other EU languages as well.

The biggest problem is that the various police stations do not seem to have read the rules and are giving incorrect information.

In some areas they are saying that you don't need to apply at all and in others they are insisting in photocopies of everything and photos as well.

If you are going to attempt to register my advice would be to take two copies of the application form and passport, a copy of your Padron certificate and two photos - a copy of your pets passport could be useful :)

There was similar confusion when the new residencia rules were introduced 3 years ago. It will settle down soon.

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We recently applied for our registration certificates as our tarjetas de residencia expired at the end of May.

You're right about different police stations requiring different documents. We had to take up-to-date empadronamiento certificates and copies, passports and copies but were not required to produce photos. We had to return a week later to collect which was straight forward.

I'm putting something together about this new requirement to stick on the noticeboard in the English café in the village. So much easier now I can direct people to the explanatory document in English. Most Brits in my village haven't a clue about any of the laws that apply to them!

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Do you know why you had to show your passport if you were already in possession of the tarjeta? My passport will have expired by the time my tarjeta runs out.

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I contacted the police station to ask what we had to bring and the passport was required.

It was only on the return visit when the information was being entered on computer I pointed out that we were applying for permanent residency and the civilian official amended something on screen. The application form wasn't checked when we presented it so I was surprised we hadn't been asked to show our cards.

I don't recall being asked to see our cards even then and we are still in possession of them.

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You are obliged to have a UK passport if you live in Spain.

If you are applying for a the new residencia certificate you must produce a valid passport or proof that you have applied for a new one.

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It is important to tick the right box on the form if you are applying for permanent residency.

They will have a record of the fact that you have been residents for 5 years - this will all be linked to your NIE number.

It seems that your police station actually know what they are doing!

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Oh crap. Will the UK passport office send passports abroad? I don´t have a UK address that I can use.

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If you live in Spain you renew your passport at the British Consulate Madrid. You can download the forms and do it by post. Follow the instructions, it's dead easy. My husband has just done his.


http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/ser...=1144249355300

Re: New Residency rules
 

Phew. That´s sounds do-able.

Ta.

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!Nada!

(But make sure you get your photograph right (follow the instructions carefully) or they will send your application back. My husband put on some old glasses without lenses for his photograph so that there wouldn't be any reflections!).

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And passport photos taken in Spanish machines are too small for the British Passport Office and your application will be returned.
As usual, size IS important ;)

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So how do you take the photos then?

I just checked the price on that website to renew my passport - 185 euros. :eek:
How much do the Spanish have to pay to renew their passport? 16.90 euros. WHY????

I thought I had left rip-off Britian well and truly behind me, but obviously not!!

Yet, another reason to apply for Spanish citizenship.

Re: New Residency rules
 

My daughter had hers done in a photographers shop.
The only problem she had was, she had no ID (sent in married name) to pick up the letter from the PO. :curse::curse:

I agree with you the price is crazy, did you fill in the questionarre that Sue posted on here a while ago, they are trying put cost it up to mega money, I put the lowest price every time I could.

Re: New Residency rules
 

Yes, photo shop is the place to get them done.
As for the price, think it includes a donation to a distress fund for ?? people that need consular assistance i guess. Think that accounts for something like €40 the rest is pretty much on a par with what they pay in the UK.
Yes rip off Britain but its only once every 10 years!

Re: New Residency rules
 

Yeah I did complete it. And I did exactly the same as you!

Out of interest, what is the UK price for renewal of passports?

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66 quid link

91 quid week fast track if on hols overthere or more for appointment, so nearly same as here.

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For further information

Keithwalters...from the post office site...bit different to the spanish price eh.


visit the Identity and Passport Service website at www.passport.gov.uk (opens in a new browser window)
call the Post Officeâ„¢ helpline on 08457 22 33 44
call the Passport Adviceline on 0870 521 0410



Passport application fees

First adult/including replacing a lost passport £66
Renewal or amendment of existing adult passport £66
First child/including replacing a lost passport £45
Renewal or amendment of existing child passport £45
Extension of a child's passport to full validity (If issued before 26 March 1998) Free

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JDR faster than a speeding train........:cool:

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I can type with two fingers now :rofl:

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It was a couple of years ago ( or even 3 maybe) but Oh flew back to UK the day before passport expired and sent it off from there via PO. had it back within 10 days. Had to stay longer though due to the original reson for the trip. that's what I'll do when mine runs out.

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Thanks for the info, although it states you must have a UK address to be able to go down this route, so I think I am stuck with using the embassy here in Spain.

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Fred, many thanks for this information. Can you tell me though if we still need to apply - we did apply in January when we first arrived and were just awaiting the call to go to Alicante for fingerprints. Will this follow through or do we need to apply afresh?

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If you applied in January you will (probably) get a residents card rather than the new certificate - if you are lucky.

You dont need to do anything apart from wait. Your copy of the application form is enough proof that you are complying with the law in the very unlikely event that you might be asked.

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Thank you for that Fred we will wait and see what happens. xx

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You get a friend with a digital camera to take them . If you follow the guidelines on the website they will be acceptable. This is what my husband did.

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We applied for our residency in May and received one of the new certificates. Is there any ID card we can apply for, so that we don't have to carry our passports when using our debit cards, or for ID purposes? Does a Spanish driving licence suffice for ID purposes?

Jag

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Well I've soley been using my driving licence for the best part of 6 months now quite sucessfully when supporting a credit card, not been asked for a passport.

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A photo driving licence will serve the purpose in most shops, but it is down to the individual shop whether they accept it or not.

I have been refused checking into a hotel in the past using the driving licence as ID. If it gets refused there is no arguing with them, you just have to go elsewhere!

Of all the places that are likely to request your ID, shops are probably the least strict.

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Yeah but as I said before, Hotels are always going to ask for a passport, its part of their procedures