Do I have to apply for my Residencia?

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

People will tell you different stories about applying for your residencia. Some say it is not necessary… some say it’s simply useful and gets yout cheap travel… some say it is the law. We have chosen to believe what the British Embassy in Madrid tells us.

Do also bear in mind that as of Spring 2009, you now cannot get a NIE number when you move here, on its own – it comes as part of the Residencia package.

“From 28 March 2007, Royal Decree 240/07 requires that all EU citizens planning to reside in Spain for more than three months register in person at the Foreigner´s Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) in their province of residence or at designated Police Stations.  However, they will no longer be issued with a residence card and, instead, will be issued a Residence Certificate stating their name, address, nationality, identity number and date of registration.  EU citizens who already have valid residency cards need take no action until their card expires.  On expiry they too must register at the Oficina de Extranjeros or designated police stations.”

We would recommend that you get some help with this, as it can be a complicated drawn out process. there are certainly long queues at the Police Station in Arrecife – and wouldn’t you just hate being turned away after 4 hours of queueing – simply because you had the wrong information, or had filled out your form incorrectly? We used the services of our “Gestoria”, and there are also companies on the Island who can take the pain out of this for you.

However, if you are determined to do it yourself, then you can download the form HERE

*Please note. We are being told that they can no longer accept downloaded Residencia Forms, and only the ones they will hand to you themselves. So the downloadable form is only for you to practise on.

If in doubt, you can contact the Oficina de Extranjeros on 0034 928 597 107, or pop into the office itself at Calle Timón, Arrecife. Office hours are 9am until 2pm, Monday to Friday

Good luck!

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