We applied for ours back in February before the new law came in. Spoke to a lawyer (English) but in Spain and she said "Don't bother I haven't got one"!! Went into the local town hall on Monday and said we had applied and not heard anything - would we hear or should we reapply under the new directions. She said hang on under the old system and we should hear something in about a year but we could reapply under the new system. To be honest I don't have a clue what to do and especially as we would have to go to Benidorm.

Exactly what i mean, the goalposts are moved every day.
What is the penalty if you don't do it ?

Red card I'll wager!

Don't want to be sent off !!

The form you need is EX16. If you haven't already got an NIE number this form is all you need both for your NIE number and to register as a foreign (EU) resident in Spain. If you already have a NIE number using the old forms it is considered temporary for 3 months and you can fill in an EX16 including putting the NIE number you have been given. You get back a green certificate with your details on once you have paid the fee at the bank. This is done on the same day where I am. If the certificate isn't a green one then it won't be excepted at the social security offices etc.
When I got here we went to the police station and got forms for NIE numbers, filled it in and was told to come back in October. When I started my job I had to go through the whole process again because I had been given the old form and I needed to sign on at the social security office. I had been so proud of myself for working out how to get my NIE and thought I was being very organised!

They always find another form to fill in if you get too smart. lol

Too true, JDR. I am very fortunate that I get paid time off to sort all this stuff out, especially as it usually takes most of a day to do it!

You sound like the father of almost every single woman I have dated!!

Your residencia certificate will let you change you bank accounts to resident ones, this gives you better interest rates, lower in the case of loans, and higher in the case on interest on money held here. You also need it for many other things, or at least it will make life simpler, as will the padron. When I bought my car, I was asked for a lot of documents, but as soon as I produced the padron, that was all they needed.

Ok so what do people reckon I do - leave it or re-apply with all that entails at Benidorm?

I'd re apply

I volunteer to be the Guinea Pig!

I am going to go to Benidorm on Tuesday, armed with NIE, Padron, Social Security number, Passport, and a letter from my Great great grandmother, who apparently was General Franco's chambermaid!

And a pocket full of Euros...

If nobody gets there before me I will tell you how it goes...

Good luck...sounds like youre going to need it....Ive got everything crossed for you

Tuesdays too late, it will be changed to something else by then.

yep you got it, i seem to have started something here !!!