Applying for your Residencia

Please note that in July 2011… the form for this changed – click the New Residencia Form for more information

In the Spring of 2007, a change in Spanish law meant that the old style plastic residencia card become defunct. For those that already have that… it is still legal and useable, but will need to be replaced with the new style A4 Certificate. The old plastic style is now only for those people who move here from outside the EU member states.

Now it is simpler to apply for your residencia, and the police station in Arrecife can issue your certificate in one day, instead of requiring a repeat journey.

We are told that the police will no longer accept the downloadable form available HERE but it does not hurt to practice and get used to the wording.

We received ours from our Asesoria, who filled them out for us. Go to the police station  in Arrecife, and you will be given a form to fill in, as well as a form to take to any bank and pay a small fee. (In Spring 2009 – the fee for full residencia is around €18. For upgrading from a NIE it is €10). Once you have paid the fee to the bank, you then return to the police station with the proof of payment, where they will issue your certificate – job done! Take back with you, the following:

Passport – plus a photocopy
NIE number copy… if you already have one
Empadron copy… if you already have one
The receipt the bank gives you
Original and copy of the EX16 form that you have been given at the Police Station

You must go yourself, with your own ID – no one else can do that for you.

We didn’t need to provide a spare passport photo, or have fingerprints done.

We took our paperwork back to the Police Station… and were shown into a side room where our application was processed immediately. The only bit where the lack of Spanish was an issue… is speaking to the chappie on the front desk. But don’t worry – tell him “Residencia”, and you should be fine. We heard the lady processing the applications in the back office, speaking English – although she didn’t with us. But all she will do is take your paperwork and process it for you.

All very friendly, and very speedy.

Under 18s need a sworn translation of of their birth certificate.

The Residencia sheet cannot be used for identification purposes – so you will still need to carry photographic ID with you by law, such as your drivers’ license, or your passport. You can get a legal copy of your passport from the Embassy, which removes the need to carry your passport with you at all times.

So now you know how to apply for your residencia. However, if you are still unsure, then we recommend you use the services of an expert such as Guy from A-Z Paperwork or Ben Simkins from Asesoria Europa.  Good luck!

This info is still current as of Summer 2009

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