I have done the same. Here's hoping they will reply and I can make an appointment to present my documentation before my police station appointment. Did you get one?

Read the guide for British citizens and Brexit from the Spanish government published 2 days ago: http://prensa.empleo.gob.es/WebPrens...BREXIT_ENG.pdf

Not tried for appointment yet as it's for my wife. For Málaga you have to phone for an appointment some places you can book a cita online.

Thank you so much for this, it is very clear. Although none of the options apply to Madrid for the 1st phase.

Today my partner called the Madrid extranjeria and they said the process is different here; I have to go to a police station first where they will tell me everything necessary and then I get the card in the follow up appointment at another police station. I am still going to take all the paperwork I have to the first appointment just in case.

I can understand that. There was a recent picture in the papers of hundreds waiting outside Extranjeria in Madrid (non-EU citizens), so they don't want Britons clogging up the system even more.

I have just booked an appointment at the Malaga Extranjero Office. No shortage of appointments there I could have got one for tomorrow. Pretty straightforward. Hardest part is deciphering the keypad number to press in order to speak to someone to make correct appointment as all in Spanish as is the following booking procedure. I'm not complaining about that as it Spain and for us to learn and use their language. I mention only so people are prepared 😉

Yes. This was on the news. Large queues forming with immigrants( sorry but that is what we are with other 3rd country folk). The story was that people are selling cita previas for 100 euros!!

You should use a gestor if you dont speak Spanish .

I speak sufficient Spanish to make the Cita, I mentioned as I said not as a complaint or great difficulty but to ensure others reading were aware and not to expect the operator to speak English. As for Gestor yes I have used them for a few things in the past. However for part 1 of this new 2 part system of applying I was unable to find one locally that was interested in the first part or able to advise on any changed requirements. So I set about researching it direct with the extranjero office via email. I was able to get from them all the information required, they were very helpful.

I used the 2nd person to mean general advise not specifically you. And you are right to warn people about simply expecting to do everything in English

My son started his application in January with a gesture but due to Coronavirus he got stranded in U.K. so is now attempting to get it sorted. Since January some of the rules have changed. The amount of money needed as proof has now increased and must be in his Spanish bank account for 3 months before he can even apply which means October for him, before they would take money in a U.K. account. Previously he could go to Orihuela, Elche or Alicante, now he is restricted to Alicante.

The change in the amount required to show able to provide for yourself may well have changed. However that is not due to the recent procedural changes from 6 July, the amount is assessed every so often, it shouldn't have increased greatly. As has been said the guidance is viewed and interpreted differently depending on region of Spain you apply to. I would have thought if you were providing proof of sufficient resources by income say wages or pension etc then the 3 months I could see. However if you are proving it by having deposited the annual amount I would like yourself think why 3 months ? It may be worth contacting the Extranjero Office direct maybe email and asking for clarification? ( Nothing ventured nothing gained as they say)
The change of where you apply is down to overall change from 6 July in that as your son is making an initial application that is now done in 2 parts. The first is now at Regional Extranjero Office once they are satisfied issuing of new TIE Card is at National Police Station . The procedure unfortunately has become a little more complicated since 6 July and unfortunate that your son got his application delayed because of covid, hopefully it will work out for him .

Alicante is a big office and deals with large numbers of immigrant groups. Where I live Elche was always considered more sympathetic towards what we might call "expats" and therefore much easier for you obtain residency. I tried in Torrevieja the first time and was refused because they wanted proof of monthly income not lump sums. Went to Elche took 5 mins.

It would seem our area Málaga province is as you say easier to deal with and have a more lenient approach to the guidelines. Before the recent change if you proved house ownership with no debt (nota simple) sufficed, then you didn't need to show any bank or income details. Of course that was dealing with National Police rather than extranjero office. Even now from my enquiries with them the main thing they really concern themselves with is health insurance and as we own our house outright and can prove that and have S1 they are quite happy to accept UK bank statements. We will know that for sure on Monday after we have been for the appointment, fingers crossed for my wife all goes well. I will say again I can't fault my dealings with the Málaga extranjero office either by email enquiries or phone when making the appointment excellent so far.

Hi Fred,
We are applying for Residency from UK via Gestor in Spain 1st stage.
When the question arises of bank statements, we do not keep much money in our bank as interest is very low but we have for example £10,000 of Premium Bonds would they see that as the same criteria if we had to show savings? TIA