Judequinn

Hi,

I am living in Spain, and as I'm a Norwegian citizen, staying here is no problem for me. But my girlfriend is from The US, and we're trying to look into ways she can stay (past the 3 month tourist visa).

I guess the best would be to get a job, but how does that work for a citizen outside of the EU? She speaks English fluently, obviously, so I thought about teaching at an int. school or something -- or in travel, hotel etc.

Does she have any rights as my partner, given that I am a resident of Spain, or will we have to be married for that (we're not).

We're a bit lost. :/

lynnxa

she really only has two routes to living & working here

1) to be offered a job, return to the US while the company tries to convince Spain that no EU citizen can do the job, only coming back if they pull that off

or

2) you marry her


oohh - just remembered 3) there are schemes for working as teaching assistants in state schools run by the British Council among others - but you have to go where you are sent, so even if she qualified for that, she more than likely wouldn't end up in Barcelona

tim1963

You don't need to be married, a registered domestic partnership will do. Have a look at this:
http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/info...embers/#whoone

Judequinn

Thanks!

So, what papers will have to sign etc. to register our partnership in Spain?

lynnxa

in most areas the couple have to prove that they have been living as such IN SPAIN for two years prior to the registration as pareja de hecho


and in some areas they aren't doing any registrations at all....

tim1963

Yes, it varies from province to province. I can't give you up to date information on Catalunia other than what I'd get if I googled.

amideislas

I can't speak for Barcelona, but here, they generally put up as much resistance to non-EU residence as possible. So, unless you have been married for a couple years at least, (or have a lot of money) it's usually a bit more complicated and bureaucratic.

Again, I can't speak for Barcelona, but Americans in the yachting business seem to get through the process quite easily here, as it appears that a lot of skilled maritime specialists happen to be American, and thusly, they can justify hiring a non-Spanish or non-EU individual for those positions. The vast majority of the Americans here are in the maritime services business in one way or another. I would have to reckon that Barcelona wouldn't be all that different, as it is one of the major Spanish ports.

EDIT: I should also point out that it does seem to vary greatly with region and office, and even the person you will be dealing with. There's a joke around here that if you get someone who hasn't had a fag break for a few hours, they're more likely to approve/stamp your documents just so they can go have their fag break.