Retiring to Spain
 

Hi, I've just become a member of BE and have a couple of concerns regarding NIE in Spain.
My wife and I will be retiring to Spain this summer/autumn 2018 and will be looking to rent before buying our own property. We are, as yet, undecided on which area to settle in but have whittled the options down to inland Costa Brava, Blanca and Tropical......although I appreciate this is still a large area.

My current concerns regard the acquisition of NIE numbers.
I understand that I will need to apply for NIE once we arrive in Spain at the local police station , but as the process of being issued a number/certificate can take 4 weeks or longer my concern is immediate transport.
Apparently I can't buy a car without an NIE certificate and as the process is so lengthy my concerns are all about mobility and getting around in order to sort out legalities, shopping etc.
I would appreciate any info on how to legally get around this problem, or the best way of living with it for the duration of the bureaucracy.
Thanks in advance - Rob.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst myself and BEVS moderate Europe. Please read the Site Rules Site Rules | British Expatriate Community adhere to them so that the site runs smoothly. Moderators are there to ensure that the rules of BE are maintained. This is so that members gain the information that they are looking for and find their experiences on the forums to be friendly and worthwhile.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

You could go to the Spanish Consulate in London and get an NIE, (check the opening times carefully), they email your NIE to you

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Thanks for your reply MontyNelly......I have already contacted the Spanish Consulate with regard to this matter, but rather than answer my questions they simply informed me that an NIE number could be organised through them if I were to make my application in person.
One thing is becoming abundantly clear.......the Spanish thrive on bureaucracy and seem to enjoy making life as difficult as possible for even the most honest of people.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

If you go to London it will take a little time as they are normally quite busy, take multiple copies of everything they ask for, cash to pay and a pen to fill out the forms.

As I said check out the times before you go

May as well make a day of it

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Just one more thing, when we got ours they were only valid for three months and we had to renew them, so don't go too far ahead of your trip, This may have changed so again check before you go

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Welcome to Spain hence why you see so many gestor offices in Spain.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

On the face of it, not a good omen:ohmy:

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Thanks for the advice MontyNelly.....I'll heed it.
nb - I think the 3 month restriction has now been scrapped....but of course, I'll check before applying.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

The lengths we Brits go to for a slice of sunshine, eh?

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Good point Bob. Can you recommend a reliable one?

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

I found a property I wanted to buy so it was then that I went to get my NIE. It took a week, not 3 months. That was in Denia where it's done at an office with that purpose, not a local police station.

I don't know how it works elsewhere but the point is, once you find out where you want to be you may find that is is much quicker and easier to get done than you think it is. Which brings me to this....

With that attitude you have you considered other places?

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Try doing the reverse as a Spaniard speaking no English <LOL>
Your local Ayutamiento will be pleased to help with everything you need. If you are not up to DIY, employ a Gestor or Abogado.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

That's a rather smug and sanctimonious question.

My current stand is based on watching the Spanish systematically persecute British ex-pats over the last 30+ years.
I lived in Spain 25 years ago and at that time obtaining an NIE was as easy as buying washing powder. A 1hr wait at the local Ayuntamiento and I walked out of the door with it.
I have since been witness to friends and members of family being subject to land grab and more recently taxed heavily for having bought their property at a price below which the powers that be considered adequate.
Add to that the current police vendetta on foreign registered cars whereby the 30 day rule trips up unaware home buyers who are stung for a 21% IVA tax on their vehicle......when they, until recently, quite reasonably thought the 6 month rule was still in force.
This 'shifting of the goalposts' behaviour is endemic within the Iberian peninsula and many an unsuspecting and honest individual can be stung badly unless they make a point of checking rules and laws on an almost weekly basis.

What they'll try after Brexit in anybody's guess....... confiscating bank accounts???
The greed culture currently pervading this planet leaves us all open to financial rape and ruin so it would make sense to be prudent with our investments.

Or do you sniff at this as well?

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

A lot of what you say is clearly no longer true.

You get an NIE at the National Police office and it should be issued immediately.

I don't know what this 30 day rule about cars is. New residents are obliged to re-register their car within 60 days of signing on the Padron to avoid any registration tax. Otherwise you have 6 months but you will not be able to avoid the tax.

They have never charged IVA on an imported car from within the EU where IVA has been paid in the country of purchase. The only tax is to register the car (the same tax as applies to all new car registrations) and in many cases that is zero for cars with low emissions. At the very worse for a serious gas guzzler is is 14.75%.

From what you say and your obvious attitude problem with Spain, perhaps you should look elsewhere.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

It is not at all smug, it was a serious question. It is not easy relocating to any foreign country. Based on MY experience, Spain is more welcoming than many others.

Based on YOUR experience, why on earth do you want to retire here?



I would add it is YOU who is looking for our help :sarcasm:

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

My claims are not without foundation.

How dare you suggest that I have an attitude problem because you doubt what I say is correct or doesn't fit in your ideals?
I'll live where I choose and I'll thank you to mind your own business and keep your offensive rhetoric to yourself.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

I don't understand why you have replied to my message when it wasn't sent to your ID in the first place.....is there a gremlin in the site?

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

And you're coming why? You must love a tan in order to put up with such nonsense.

BTW, do a bit of searching and you can find a document prepared for the UK government in which it explains how, in the event of the collapse of the system, they'll raid UK bank accounts. Plans already made.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Ah... just spotted you live in Coventry. I get it now.... anywhere will do.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

I did not dispute your experience. Although, I note others have.

It was you who accused me of having an "attitude problem". It seems you are a keyboard warrior :rofl:

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

MISSILE......It seems that replies I've sent to other ID's have found their way to you by mistake.
I'm new to this site so it's quite likely I'm doing something incorrectly .......I'm sending replies via the 'quick reply' icon at the foot of each message I receive, but I've noticed that they just get tagged on to the end of the thread.
How do I send a reply directly to a specific ID ?

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

HORLICS - I'm pleased to see you've changed your stance from critical to sympathetic.

My reasons for choosing to live in Spain were not at all connected with getting a sun tan, but moreover to escape the misery of the UK climate and have a better quality of health and life in my senior years.
However, it seems my concerns regarding bank accounts being vulnerable are valid having read the articles which you kindly referred to.
It may or may not actually happen, but as Spains economy and geo-political agenda is so volatile, the Catalan crisis could certainly collapse the economy.....making public bank accounts prime targets for a bail out raid.
I shall keep my eye on the news at the same time as looking for a safer haven in the south of France......unless anybody can frighten me off there as well.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Sorry if I have misinterpreted comments which were not aimed at me.

You can click on the QUOTE option bottom left of the post or state in your reply to whom your comment is aimed as you have done here >

If you want to respond privately, you can send a PM to any member.

You may wish to read FAQ

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Since you already have an NIE (note the NIE is for life, it's just the certificate that needs renewing if it's needed for a specific purpose) why are you applying for another? It's entirely possible that that could be misconstrued as fraud ;)

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Fraud????
I'm applying for another because the one I had in 1991 has gone awol and the Spanish consulate have advised me that the only way I'm likely to retrieve it is by personally enquiring in Benalmadena ( Costa del Sol ), where it was issued......but it's not guaranteed that it would surface, adding up to a wasted and expensive trip.
I did make tentative searches for the issuing authority in the Benalmadena region but it seems a lot of things have changed in the last 25 years and maybe records have gone astray.
However, I haven't yet given up on that line of enquiry as it would certainly make life easier if I came up trumps.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Roblis: On the subject of NIE "certificate" and renewal: when you first apply you get an A4 printed sheet with the number etc., and at the bottom it says "this certificate is valid for three months". Knowing that the number is for life we didn't bother to renew the certificates and had no difficulty until we bought a car. The dealer was unable (he did try) to register the car in my husband's name until we got a replacement certificate. It's EXACTLY the same A4 printed sheet but without the "valid for 3 months" note on the bottom. I know others in different areas have not had this difficulty when registering a car. But as we all know, it depends on who you get on the desk on the day.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

FranE........when I was issued with an NIE number in 1990 the 3 month limit hadn't been introduced. I think that was a late 90's/0's trick.
I have this evening contacted a gestor in Benalmadena to enquire about retrieving my old NIE number and a new certificate.......fat chance I suppose.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Coventry.... you deserve all the sympathy you can get, and more.

The article to which I kindly referred documented the UK's preparations to raid UK bank accounts... i think you might have missed that point.

Good luck in the south of France, but unless you lose the superiority complex that comes with being a Brit you might remain miserable. But at least you won't confuse Johnny Foreigner, who's used to hearing Brits whine.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

HORLICS.....you are the most arrogant and sanctimonious prat I've ever had the misfortune to be stuck online with....if you were stood in front of me I'd cheerfully knock your teeth out.
Don't bother whining to the BE police....I'll be unsubscribing from this pitiful forum as soon as I can find the link.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

What about Prestatyn??? Aberystwyth? Eastbourne? No?:blink:

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

I was about to delete the offensive post by Roblis but then decided that it is a good opportunity to remind members that Fred and I will not tolerate this sort of behaviour on the forum.

Rosemary

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

Why thank you very much, very kind of you to say so.

Oooo, keyboard warrior credentials confirmed there.

Spain's loss is southern France's gain, clearly.

Re: Retiring to Spain
 

As this thread was started by the now banned member I am closing it.

Thank you to all of you who showed great patience and restraint.

Rosemary