Residencia Renewal

[poshtotti]

Hi

Someone asked how they go out renewing their residencias, not knowing the answer I thought I would ask you oracles out there if you could please help?

They live in Estepona.

I know there have been postings on this before, but I have searched to no avail, sorry

[El Cid]

Download form EX-16 from

http://www.mir.es/sites/mir/modelos/ext ... mentacion/

You will need 3 photos, your passport and existing residencia card and a photocopy of each. If you have changed your address a copy of your empadronamiento certificate will be needed.

Go to your local office of the Policia Nacional a month before the old one expires.

The time it takes depends on the area. It could be a month or a year!

Sid

[poshtotti]

Thanks Sid!!

You're a star, all questions answered, thanks again

[Alan-LaCala]

Download form EX-16 from

http://www.mir.es/sites/mir/modelos/ext ... mentacion/

Is it the same form for a first application for residency?

Alan

[Lorraine - Mijas]

I've just inquired this morning in Fuengirola and have just been told it will take around 13 months for mine
Lorraine

[mhic]

Can you continue using the old one as ID or go back to carring your passport every where.

Mhic.

[El Cid]

In the extremely unlikely event that you are required to produce your card, you will have a copy of your application for renewal which should satisfy any enquirer.

To answer mhic's question, yes, it is the same form.

Sid

[ian.wilson]

Only one difference you have to let them have your existing residencia card, applying for a new one you don`t have one to give. They renewals normally take presidence over new applications!

[anewlife]

Bit of a funny thing here with residencias. Why do people need them??? Some friends of ours have been told that to have a market stall, they DO NOT NEED residencias, just NIE's. And they have been told that this changed 2 YEARS AGO and the locals were still not up to date with this information! We live in Galera, outskirts of Huescar, nearest big town Baza. We have also been told that you cannot get residencias from Baza anymore, you have to go to Granada, but they are still processing NIE numbers in Baza and anyone who has an existing residencia due for renewal, can do this at Baza, but for new applications 'fraid its Granada only. My dad had his residencia card stolen and he has had to go to Granada to get a replacement (although they had all his details on file, photos, fingerprints, address etc. etc. - why can't they just post a new one????) and he STILL had to go back a week later to have his fingerprints taken AGAIN!!! Is this an excuse for keeping someone in a job employed by the Government whatever - because it seems a complete waste of time and money to have to go through the whole process again!!! What a system! Does anyone really know what is going on - even these so called 'experts'????

[El Cid]

Bit of a funny thing here with residencias. Why do people need them??? Some friends of ours have been told that to have a market stall, they DO NOT NEED residencias, just NIE's. And they have been told that this changed 2 YEARS AGO and the locals were still not up to date with this information!

You need residencias because the law still says that you do if you reside permanently in Spain, unless you are legally employed in Spain.

I don't see what running a market stall has to do with it. There is no reason why a non resident should not be able to have a stall - an NIE is needed for almost any fiscal activity in Spain and running a stall would count.

Sid

[ian.wilson]

By EU law you no longer need a residencia however there are benifits to having it, here are a couple:-

1. Residents Bank account (less charges & better mortgage terms).
2. Not having to carry you passport as ID (it`s law is spain to carry ID).
3. Car Loans (or any loan for that matter).
4. Getting stopped by the police for a motoring offence (you will not get issued with an on the spot fine you will be able to pay later).
5. The good feeling of intergrating into Spanish life, all Spanish people have by law to carry there ID card.
6. You can actually travel within Europe using it without your Passport, I know I have travelled using it. Don`t try Gibralter though as they can be funny at the border, don`t know why just probably due to the history.

I actually like havong an ID card and think it dhould be brought into the UK immediatly.

Regards
Ian

[El Cid]

By EU law you no longer need a residencia

Quite possibly, but Spanish law still says that you do.

I doubt that anyone is going to get arrested for not complying with the law and I agree with all your points about the advantages of having residencia.

It is, however, incorrect to state that it is no longer required.

As for travel with a residents card, you cannot use it to enter the UK - presumably that is why it is a problem in Gibraltar.

Remember that a residents card and a Spanish DNI are not the same thing. A spaniard can enter the UK with a DNI but a Brit with a residents card cannot.

Sid

[masterob]

El Cid wrote

Remember that a residents card and a Spanish DNI are not the same thing. A spaniard can enter the UK with a DNI but a Brit with a residents card cannot.

Is this correct? The UK is not a signatory to the Schengen Convention and therefore a valid passport IS required for anyone (including Spaniards)entering the UK. This applies also for entry to Gibraltar.

[El Cid]

El Cid wrote

Remember that a residents card and a Spanish DNI are not the same thing. A spaniard can enter the UK with a DNI but a Brit with a residents card cannot.

Is this correct? The UK is not a signatory to the Schengen Convention and therefore a valid passport IS required for anyone (including Spaniards)entering the UK. This applies also for entry to Gibraltar.

The UK, as a non Schengen country is allowed to impose border controls. There is a requirement to prove your identity.

A Spanish DNI (identity card) is sufficient. UK residents have to produce a passport as there is currently no UK ID card. A residents card is not considered to be an ID card in this instance hence a passport is still required.

I think you will find that the hundreds of Spaniards who enter Gib daily use their ID cards. UK visitors must have UK passports.

Sid

[masterob]

Sid
Many thanks for that helpful clarification.
Rob

[tt]

EU Directive 2004/58/EC

Directive adopted by European Parliament and the Council on 29th April 2004.

Eliminates the need for EU citizens to obtain a residence card and introduces a permanent right of residence. Member States have until 30th April 2006 to transpose this directive.

Any ideas as to what will happen on the 1st May 2006.

[El Cid]

Any ideas as to what will happen on the 1st May 2006.

Residencias will probably not be required - assuming that Spain takes any notice of the EU directive. If not they will get a slap on the wrist and carry on regardless!

However as Ian.wilson has correctly pointed out, there are some significant advantages of having a "Tarjeta Communitario". No doubt, you will still have the option of applying for a card, just like you still have the option of applying to exchange your driving licence.


Sid

[El Cid]

EU Directive 2004/58/EC

Directive adopted by European Parliament and the Council on 29th April 2004.

Eliminates the need for EU citizens to obtain a residence card and introduces a permanent right of residence. Member States have until 30th April 2006 to transpose this directive.

Any ideas as to what will happen on the 1st May 2006.

It now appears that the mighty EU mandarins in Brussels made a "slight" printing error in the above document. It should read 2008 not 2006.

We will just have to wait a little longer before residencias go away for good!

Details at http://tinyurl.com/dne3w

Sid

[ian.wilson]

Thanks for the clarification on treveling in europe everbody!

More heads = more knowledge!

Regards
Ian

[tt]

Sid

Many thanks for your update. Shows how useful this site can be at times.