Step #3 Making the move
Once you have decided on where in Spain you are going to, you need
to decide on how to get there. You will decide which way is best for
you, depending on what you are taking with you. If you decide to
drive, make sure you read the section on
driving in Spain. You can catch a car ferry at many English
ports and buy a one way or return ticket. [we were once told that a
cheap day return to France can be bought cheaper than a one-way
ticket]. A point to note is that if you bring a caravan over with
you, most ferries will not sell you a one way ticket so you must use
the tunnel. Consider carefully the cost of a crossing to Calais and
the aditional cost of petrol and tolls as oposed to a crossing to
Santander or Bilbao. Driving through France can be a long nightmare
and very expensive on tolls. Flying over is a cheap alternative if
all you have are a couple of cases. Cheap flights can be booked over
the internet at as little as £50 each ! But, consider how you are to
get about once you get here. Spain is a big country and a car is a
must. Whichever way you get here, there are several things you must
bring with you. Driving licences/Car insurance papers Birth/Marriage
certificates Passports Bank books/cheque and credit cards Enough
money to get home Important medication Form E111 and remember to
make several photocopies of all your documents !
Step #4 Travel
documents
(see here for Spanish Tourist Office Guidelines)
Because
Spain is part of the EU, if you live in an EU country, you do not
require a visa to enter the country. You have almost equal rights in
Spain as you do in your own country. Make sure you have a full ten
year British Passport well before you leave. Make several
photocopies of it and make sure you keep at least one copy in a safe
place. Losing your original passport in Spain would be a bad move.
Losing all record of it would be worse. Consider taking out travel
insurance for your journey over. It's money well spent if your
luggage vanishes or your car is stolen with all your belongings
inside. Make sure children have their own passports. It's also a
good idea to go the post office in England and collect a form for
renewal of a passport and a form for replacement of a lost/stolen
passport. These are forms you can't get in Spain. Make sure you have
all your birth/marriage certificates with you and again, make sure
you have several photocopies of each which you should keep separate
from the originals.
Step #5 On
arrival in Spain - N.I.E. No
As a
foreigner living and/or working in Spain, the first thing you MUST
do on arrival is obtain an NIE number. This is a simple process
providing you follow the guidelines. You can get a Gestor to apply
for you but it will cost you about 100€. To do it your self, go to
the National Police station and collect an application form, or you
can
download the form here. You can complete the form in English and
it is FREE.
HOW TO FILL IN THE N.I.E. APPLICATION FORM
1 DATOS PERSONALES means PERSONAL DETAILS
1er
Apellido: Surname
2º Apellido : (second Surname) Write three chiffons instead (---)
Nombre : Christian Name (make sure to use same as in passport)
Fecha de Nacimiento: Date of birth (use two digits for day and
month)
Lugar de nacimiento: Place of birth
Sexo : Gender “H” for Male (Hombre) and “M” Female (Mujer) . X cross
the one applicable
Estado Civil: Status. S for single C for married. V for widow and D
for divorced
País de nacimiento: Country of Birth
País de nacionalidad: Current Nationality
Nombre del padre: Father´s name
Nombre de la madre: Mother´s name
Domicilio en España: Address in Spain (if you have one, otherwise
leave blank) - Localidad: Town, CP: Postcode, Provincia: Province
SECTION 2
Reasons for application:
Economic, Professional or Social (Tick professional for work reasons
or social for house purchase)
3)
DOMICILIO A EFECTOS DE NOTIFICACIONES
Leave blank
Sign
the form at the bottom, under 'firma de solicitante'.
Complete the form and take it back to the National Police station,
along with a photocopy. You also need to provide your original
passport and a photocopy. That's it ! You will then be told to
return in approx. 4 weeks time when your number will be ready to
collect. You need this number to do anything fiscal in Spain such as
open a bank account [this can also be done with your passport
number].
Social Security
How to get a Social Security Number:
The
process of getting a social security number is now very easy.
Simply go to any social security office, with your original passport
and copy of the passport. You will have to fill in a form, which is
in Spanish, but its quite easy as the normal questions are asked
like, name, address, names of parents etc. They issue the number
there and then and give you a temporary card. They send on the
plastic card at their leisure. It is not necessary to have a job, or
even a NIE to get a social security number.
Why do you need a Social Security Number?:
-
You
need a social security number to work in Spain. I am sure that
you are aware that if you are self-employed you have to pay into
the social security, but also if you are employed you pay and
this should be deducted by your employer before payment.
-
You
are entitled to social security benefits, but pro rata to what
you have paid in.
-
You
also are entitled to medical care i.e. you can sign on with your
local doctor.
-
You
only have to pay if you are earning money in Spain, i.e. not on
any pension from the UK.
Step #6
Looking for work
If you
have not already found work or intend to work for your self, you
will now need to start job hunting. See more about
working in Spain here. Or you may wish to
buy a bar or
similar business in Spain.
Step #7 Residencias
A residencia is a form of permit for those who intend to
reside in Spain on a permanent basis. It is NOT compulsory for EU
citizens, however, there are advantages. They are issued by the
National Police dept. You may wish to employ the services of a
gestor for your application. Failing this, visit your nearest police
station and collect the application forms.
Your
application forms must be returned to the Police along with several
important items, as a minimum these will include; 3 photographs
(passport style - in colour) A full passport (original and 2
photocopies) Title deeds or a rental contract stating where you live
A work contract (min 6 months long - original and a photocopy) The
fee (aprox. £4.00) is paid into the bank, as instructed by the
police. You then produce the receipt as part of your application. A
certificate from a bank in Spain may be required, proving that you
have sufficient money in the account, or a regular income coming in
to support you.
Really useful Websites:
The British Embassy´s website -
For information on moving to and
living in Spain - medical cover, employment, education, pets, cars,
benefits, getting married and so much more.
Useful
addresses in London
Spanish
Embassy, 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB
Cultural Office, Tel 020 7201 5522 fax 020 7259 6487
Press Office, Tel 020 7235 7537 fax 020 7235 2263
Labour Office, 20 Peel Street, London W8 7PD Tel: 0202210098 -
email:
spanlabo@globalnet.co.uk |
