Living on The Orihuela Costa - The Legalities.
Moving to any new country will almost certainly be an experience that you will never forget, but not always for the right reasons. There are new laws, new customs to follow and a whole new set of paperwork to complete, to ensure that you are fully integrated into the system of your new country of residence.Like many other parts of Spain, bureaucracy on the Orihuela Costa can be a minefield for the uninitiated (or those with the lack of knowledge), but is a necessary evil to make life here as pleasant as that last holiday.
As with any other member Country of the European Union, living here on the Orihuela Costa is permitted easily, but there are some things that you must know, prior to moving, or should be aware of as soon as you get here, to get you into the system and permit you to live and possibly work here legally.
The 3 most important pieces of paperwork you will need are :-
An N.I.E Number.
A Padron.
A Certificate of Residence (Residencia).
Spanish law decrees that anyone living here in Spain for more that 180 days must become a resident and obtain a certificate of Residencia.
On the Orihuela Costa, this can be done quite simply, (but sometimes, quite slowly) at the local Ayuntiamento (Town Hall).
The guides below aim to assist you in getting the information required to make the process as smooth as it possibly can, but the lists may not be exhaustive, and the rules and requirements can change very quickly so ALWAYS CHECK WITH THE TOWN HALL FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE REQUIREMENTS.
The N.I.E. (Numero Identificate de
Extrajernos).
The NIE is your gateway to everything else and is possibly the most important (and the 1st) piece of paperwork that you should get.
You can apply for nothing else without it and should start the application process as soon as you arrive in the country, or your chosen region.
IT is ALWAYS best to check with the Town Hall (Ayuntiamento), what you will need first, as recently, the rules have changed on the Orihuela Costa and it is likely that you will need a RESIDENCIA, before you can get your N.I.E.
You Need:-
Original Passport (& copies)
6 Photographs
Your Certificate of Residence (Residencia).
Application Form (from the Town Hall).
Patience (although the N.I.E. processing time can be quick at times).
Your Rental Agreement + a copy of your Landlords Passport or I.D. Card (if you are renting a property)
The Padron is usually only valid for a few months (3 at the last count), but is easily renewed. When you need as new copy, all you need is to go to the Ayuntiamento with your current one and ask for a 'copia'.
There are many major items, such as a car, or a house, that you will not be able to purchase without a Padron or N.I.E., so you will understand the importance of obtaining these documents.
You can apply for nothing else without it and should start the application process as soon as you arrive in the country, or your chosen region.
IT is ALWAYS best to check with the Town Hall (Ayuntiamento), what you will need first, as recently, the rules have changed on the Orihuela Costa and it is likely that you will need a RESIDENCIA, before you can get your N.I.E.
You Need:-
Original Passport (& copies)
6 Photographs
Your Certificate of Residence (Residencia).
Application Form (from the Town Hall).
Patience (although the N.I.E. processing time can be quick at times).
The Padron.
The Padron is a document stating that you are registered as living at an address on the Orihuela Costa and that you have declared this at the Town Hall (Ayuntiamento).
To get registered on the Padron, you will need to go along to the Ayuntiamento (usually queueing from around 8.30 a.m.) firstly to get the application form and you will need to return another twice, once to submit the applictaion and another to collect your Padron.
You will need to take with you:-
The Padron is a document stating that you are registered as living at an address on the Orihuela Costa and that you have declared this at the Town Hall (Ayuntiamento).
To get registered on the Padron, you will need to go along to the Ayuntiamento (usually queueing from around 8.30 a.m.) firstly to get the application form and you will need to return another twice, once to submit the applictaion and another to collect your Padron.
You will need to take with you:-
Your N.I.E.
Photographic Identification (plus 2 photocopies)
The Application Form
Your Escitura (title deeds if you own a property)Photographic Identification (plus 2 photocopies)
The Application Form
Your Rental Agreement + a copy of your Landlords Passport or I.D. Card (if you are renting a property)
The Padron is usually only valid for a few months (3 at the last count), but is easily renewed. When you need as new copy, all you need is to go to the Ayuntiamento with your current one and ask for a 'copia'.
There are many major items, such as a car, or a house, that you will not be able to purchase without a Padron or N.I.E., so you will understand the importance of obtaining these documents.
Residencia.
The Certificate of Residence in Spain (residencia) replaced the old Identification Card and unfortunately, cannot be used as a from of I.D. The Certificate of residence is a document sataing that you are a resident here on the Orihuela Costa and the Communidad Valencia.
Spanish law defines a Spanish resident is someone who spends more than six consecutive months(180 days)in the country in any calendar year. This will make you eligible for Spanish taxes,, such as Suma (Council Tax) and an annual real Estate tax (IBI).
What you will need to gain Residencia:-
:: Your N.I.E. Number -
CHECKwith the Town Hall about this BEFORE applying, as you may need a RESIDENCIA before you can get an N.I.E. Numero Identificacion de Extrajernos – very little can be done without this, but some Town Halls[including Orihuela Costa] insiste that you must have a Residencia certificate first).
:: Photgraphic Identification (E.U. photo driving licence, passport etc.)
:: A Modelo 790 (a tax form for registration), payable at any Bank, but only obtainable from the Town Hall (with an appointment)
:: An application form for Resedencia
:: An appointment at the Town Hall to collect the paperwork.
:: An appoinment to go through the paperwork.
:: A date and time to collect your Resedencia Certificate.
:: ALWAYS MAKE & KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING – just in case.
Spanish law defines a Spanish resident is someone who spends more than six consecutive months(180 days)in the country in any calendar year. This will make you eligible for Spanish taxes,, such as Suma (Council Tax) and an annual real Estate tax (IBI).
What you will need to gain Residencia:-
:: Your N.I.E. Number -
CHECKwith the Town Hall about this BEFORE applying, as you may need a RESIDENCIA before you can get an N.I.E. Numero Identificacion de Extrajernos – very little can be done without this, but some Town Halls[including Orihuela Costa] insiste that you must have a Residencia certificate first).
:: Photgraphic Identification (E.U. photo driving licence, passport etc.)
:: A Modelo 790 (a tax form for registration), payable at any Bank, but only obtainable from the Town Hall (with an appointment)
:: An application form for Resedencia
:: An appointment at the Town Hall to collect the paperwork.
:: An appoinment to go through the paperwork.
:: A date and time to collect your Resedencia Certificate.
:: ALWAYS MAKE & KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING – just in case.
There are individuals and companies (who usually advertise in the local press) who can do this for you if you, but makwe sure that you agree a price and make sure that is is reasonable.
For ANY & EVERY piece of official paperwork you will need, make sure that you have all you need with you, take copies of everything, even if you end up not needing them. There is a system ( albeit unspoken) here, where each time you visit the Town Hall or Official Buildings, you may be told about 'another' piece of information that you didn't bring (delaying the process) and this can be repeated through many subsequent visits, so ASK for the information of EVERYTHING that you will possibly need IN ADVANCE, for each application process.
You could save yourself more visits that you will ever care to remember.
All of that aside, the Orihuela Costa is a great place to live, work and play, whether you intend to come for a break, buy a Holiday Home or move out here to live and work in the Sun, or indeed, retire into a more relaxed lifestyle. The cost of living is relatively lower that most other European Countries, the secenery in stunning and the locals are friendly and wram, many of whom are characters to behold.
Once the process has been completed, you can relax (for a time anyway). You will have the documentation that you need, your Residencia, your Padron and your N.I.E. number.
You could save yourself more visits that you will ever care to remember.
All of that aside, the Orihuela Costa is a great place to live, work and play, whether you intend to come for a break, buy a Holiday Home or move out here to live and work in the Sun, or indeed, retire into a more relaxed lifestyle. The cost of living is relatively lower that most other European Countries, the secenery in stunning and the locals are friendly and wram, many of whom are characters to behold.
Once the process has been completed, you can relax (for a time anyway). You will have the documentation that you need, your Residencia, your Padron and your N.I.E. number. These are your gateway to making your life here easier to deal with anything official. You will nearly ALWAYS have to quote your N.I.E number when dealing with business, anything offcial, or if you are starting a business, you will need it also, so keep all of your official paperwork safe.
