A residency permit (tarjeta de residencia) is a card the size of a credit card which has all your personal details, including your NIE number (numero de identidad). The NIE number is issued by the immigration service. It is your identification number in Spain which you will need in order to file taxes, establish a business, open a bank account or for almost all other forms you need to fill out.
There are 2 types of residency permits:
- TEMPORARY RESIDENCY – for people intending to stay in Spain for more than 3 months but less than a year.
- ORDINARY RESIDENCY – for people intending to stay in Spain for a minimum of 12 months. This permit can be renewed after 5 years.
There are some circumstances in which you will not require a residence certificate:
- People living and working legally in Spain and paying contributions to the Spanish Social Security System (Seguridad Social)
- Retired workers who have moved to Spain, lived there for 3 months and have paid into the Spanish Social system.
- Students
- Fully declared self-employed workers who are paying into the Spanish Social Security system.
You will need to apply for and carry a residence card if you:
- Are a pensioner retiring to Spain
- Are planning to live in Spain and not earn an income i.e. live off savings and investments.
How to apply for residence
In order to obtain your residency certificate and NIE number, you have to apply at the nearest Foreign Office (Oficina de Extrajeros). Each office processes candidates locally and queuing times at the office can vary. It can also vary in the amount of time it takes to receive your card.
Your will be required to produce the following documents when you go to apply for residency:
- Your current passport as well as a photocopy of it.
- 3 recent passport style photos with your name written clearly on the back.
- The completed application form and 3 photocopies of it.
- The fee which is around 6 euros.
You may also be asked to provide the following:
- A medical certificate
- A contract of employment if you are working for someone.
- If you are self-employed you need to prove you fulfill the requirements necessary to do that job.
- If you are studying in Spain, you may need documents proving you attend an accredited school and can prove you have enough money to support yourself.
- You will also need proof of health insurance.
Renewing your residency
You will not be reminded when your residency will expire. It is up to you to check this and make sure it is done a month before the expiry date. You will need the following documents:
- 2 passport photos
- Your original residency card and 1 photocopy of it.
- Your passport and 1 photocopy of it.
- A completed application form with 3 photocopies.
- You may also be asked for a medical certificate but this is not always the case.
Should you require any further information, you can visit the British Embassy website at www.britishembassy.gov.uk