Bureaucracy is never fun. It is even less so when
you feel lost and don't know where to start in order to find the
information you need and to understand why certain documents and
procedures are required. Following is a list of tips and suggestions
that can help you cut just about any type of red tape.
Where to go
Often
the first hurdle you must jump is finding out where to go in
order to obtain a specific document or permit.
If you don't know
anyone and don't feel comfortable approaching your new neighbours,
it is best to direct your questions to either your local town
hall
(usually centrally located) - specifically the "foreigners's
department" in the few municipalities that have one - or
the local or national police station.
Maps
Throughout any bureaucratic process
you should carry a map of your local area with you as you may
be required to go from one government
department to the next in order to gather together all the required
documentation.
Documents
It's wise to embark on any
bureaucratic adventure with the clear expectation that it could take
much longer than
you would like to
think it will. However, it helps to be as prepared as possible.
So, stop before you go and make a list of all the possible documents
that might be required: birth certificates, residence cards,
an
original print-out of your "certificado de empadronamiento"
showing that you are officially registered at the town hall, title
deeds etc. Next, check all documents to make sure none are out of
date. Remember that the "certificados de empadronamiento" have
short expiration dates.
Photocopies
It is a good idea to have
three photo copies of each document in your possession. Any photocopy
that might have
to be "compulsado" - or made official - must
show both sides of a document on the same side of a sheet of
paper. For example, you would be sure that both
sides of your residence card appeared on the same side of a sheet
of paper in order to be properly "compulsado" by
a bureaucrat. For other purposes you will need to have card copied
back to front
with each side appearing on opposite sides of a paper in the
same corner, in order to cut it out and create a paper version
of the
original card. Sound complicated? It is.
Photos
If you think you might need photos - for driver's licenses and residency
cards, for example - these can be obtained in any photo shop.
Cultural Know-how
While cutting red tape
in Spain can be frustrating at times, it is crucial that you maintain
a calm approach and
be aware of certain
cultural norms that, if followed, will help you be more successful.
Rule one - dress as nicely as possible. Image is very important
in Spanish culture and unconsciously paid great respect. Rule
two
- be polite no matter how unrealistic the process seems to be. "Buena
educación", or good manners, is also put on a pedestal
in Spanish society, ahead of such concepts as "efficiency",
or in some cases even "fairness", for example.
Basic Language Skills
While you can probably
get by with very basic language skills when carrying out simple procedures,
it can still
be frustrating. However,
you can be sure that over the course of the project you will
improve your knowledge of Spanish, adding to your vocabulary.
For more complex
or urgent projects, those who don't speak very much Spanish might
consider hiring a "gestor", who specialises in cutting
red tape. This option is considered more than acceptable by government
authorities and most - if not all - projects are designed to
be
handled by a third party professional as well as the person directly
involved.
A Good Book
As you never know how many hours you might spend in queues, it is
always a good idea to bring some good reading material with you.
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