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RESIDENCE PERMIT
RESIDENCE PERMITS:
 When in Spain it is essential that you have some form of Identification on you at all time. As a tourist it is acceptable to have your passport or your driving licence however if you are thinking of moving to Spain or you are looking to be there for a substantial period of time then it is advisable for you to apply for a residence permit (tarjeta de residencia). Although it is only essential for Pensioners who have retired to Spain, people of independent means and non-EU national dependants of an EU or Spanish national to apply for the card if you are looking to reside in Spain for any length of time it is advisable to apply for one too as it is important when you want to open a bank account or own a property. These are relatively easy to obtain although the process can be quite time consuming as Spanish bureaucracy is notoriously bad. To obtain a residence permit you need to apply for it. This can be done by you going to the closest foreigner's office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or the national police station (Comisaria e Policìa Nacional) with a foreigners department from the city where you are going to live. If you are of EU nationality then you do not need to apply for a residence permit until you have been in Spain for 6 months however it is advisable that you do it earlier as it is much easier than carrying your passport around with you all the time.
WHAT IS REQUIRED WHEN APPLYING FOR A RESIDENCE PERMIT?
- You will need your passport which has to be valid for at least 6 months.
- Three recent passport photographs with your name clearly written on the back.
- Proof of your financial support whilst you are spending your time in Spain or if you are working a contract between you and your employer.
- Medical certificate (when required)
- Proof of family relationship, when applying for reuniting family members.
TAX IMPLICATIONS OF HAVING A RESIDENCE PERMIT:
 Your residence card will have a fiscal number on it and this is necessary for opening a bank account or for paying Spanish taxes. All residents of Spain must have a NIE number (it is a bit like a national insurance number). When you get a residence card it makes you liable to pay income tax on your world wide earnings. If you work in the UK as well as in Spain don't worry as they have policies so that you don't get double taxed. (Many other countries have the same policy). The Spanish tax year runs from the 1st of January to the 31st of December. Taxes are usually self-assessed in Spain and you need to purchase the forms yourself. They can usually be obtained from a tobacconist although some are only available from tax offices. You can get them from an estanco or the agencia tributaria.
 Go back to "Tax in Spain"
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