There are hard and fast rules that will ALWAYS apply.


except when they dont.!!!! lol

Thanks for the paraphrase

I think you have to be careful with terminology.

Putting it bluntly, you are still incorrect!

The old style NIE is identical to the new style NIE - there is a separate document for this.

If you want to be (or must be) on the foreign register then you can apply for this EITHER separately (in which case it will incorporate your existing NIE) or instead of and get the NIE allocated to you when you register on the foreigners list.


So, to recap, NIE registration is very different to foreigner registration but both will contain your NIE.

The OP MUST have both.

Time will tell

To clarify it for those new to Spain.

If you get your NIE first (Numero Identificación Extranjero - Foreigners Identification Number, used by the tax office to trace all your financial dealings, where the number is used, and all bank accounts etc ---'Big Brother' ) then when you apply for Foreigners Registration Certificate "often mis-referred to as Residencia" it will have the same number, as it is the number by which you are known by officialdom in Spain.

Thats the page I have printed off. It clearly states all that you need to get the Certificate of Residence is
1 Form EX 16 and
2 Valid Passport or other form of photo ID.

I am almost tempted to take the page in Spanish to my interview with the bits described and see what they say.

Of course I would have everything else in "Triplicate" in my back pocket!

That, with the receipted payment form, is all one needs at Fuengirola.

What about a local address ?

Howa about answering some of the other questions that the OP asked?

Jo xxx

Well ..... if no one else is

I have recently moved to the marbella area and in the process of setting up a office in Estepona!

I went to get my nie number the other day and after all the queuing etc for 3 hours I got told to go to Estepona police station not Marbella. When I apply for the ni which Is paid for already and should just be able to hand into Estepona station do I need to apply separately for residency?

Do I need residency?

Apply for your residency aka foreigners list certificate at the same time as your NIE


I am using skype for my personal calls is this the best thing to do?


Thats what I use and it works for me

The complex I am on arranged Internet for me with globatel but it is really slow when 2 computers are using the Internet, can anybody recommend a better company to use for internet?

Dont know your area, but although many people complain about them, Telefonica has been fine for me, although I am looking for a cheaper alternative which won't be in your area I'm afraid

I brought a sky box out with me from the uk and there is a communal dish where I live but it does not work does anyone have a number they can recommend for somebody to come and get it up and running for me? I have been told I need my card chipped is this correct?

Chipped? I dont know about that. If it's a normal paying sky account then your card will be fine in your box, although I'm not sure how you will get on with a communal dish. Be sure not to tell them you are moving to Spain and keep the subscriptions running from a UK bank account

Mobile phones I got a pay as you go on yoigo but it doesn't have Internet, what is the best network to go with to be able to get Internet on my phone or is it difficult to get a Spanish contract?

No idea, Spanish phone deals have always baffled me, although I can get wireless internet on my Vodaphone when its set up properly

I am also in need of a lot of carpet asap and any other office furniture if anyone has any to sell?

You might regret carpet in the summer months, and I'm guessing you will have to have them professionally cleaned or treated fairly regularly. I notice new office furniture is expensive here, unless you have an Ikea near you

Not read his previous ,Sure you dont see many carpets in Spain but then thats a Spanish thing more than a climate thing , all the hot states in the U.S such as Florida and California etc have them ,if youve not lived here and your British guess you may think you need carpets.

Maybe, it just struck me as "the bottom of the list" type item in any country thats all!?

Jo xxx

On our next reccy visit to Spain we are hoping to buy two cheap PAYG mobiles. We are flying into Alicante and driving to Albir on the N332. Does anyone know of anywhere we will pass on route or in the Albir area where we are likely to be able to buy mobiles with only passport ID?

We haven't got NIEs yet.

If not on that route anywhere in the Calpe/Moraira/Javea/Denia/Oliva areas? Lynnxa mentioned a movie star shop in Javea not asking for NIE and someone else mentioned phones for sale in Carrefour (Finestrat?) but not whether you needed NIE to purchase there.

this may help you with document preparation in Spain...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXWZ3uAEKsw

Aw no, not again...it is very good though