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Legalities in Spain

NIE Number (Numero de Identificatión de Extranjero)

If you're from another EU member state you don't need a work visa in order to work in Spain but you do need an NIE number. You need to go to the local Oficina de Extranjeros (Foreigner's Office) to collect an application form, or download the ex14 NIE application form [pdf] here.

Once you have completed the form you need to make sure you have the following:

• two photocopies of your passport
• three passport photographs with your name written on the back
• three copies of the completed application form.
• documentation supporting your reason for applying (this is the tricky one).

The best way to get the necessary documentation to support your application is to register at your local ayuntamiento (town council) – this is a legal requirement anyway. When you register you are given documentation – this document can be used to support your application for your NIE.

(See below for how to register at your local ayuntamiento.)

If you have a job offer/contact in writing this will also suffice as supporting documentation.

Another option is to register at the social security office, but this is quite complicated and virtually impossible if you don't speak Spanish and I would advise employing a gestor or asking a friend to help.

Without supporting documentation your NIE application will not be accepted.

Once you have everything required, take your application back to the Oficina de Extranjeros.

If your application is accepted you will receive your NIE number in the post in approximately 30 days time. It will be posted to the address you have given on the application form.

For further information visit the website for the Ministerio del Interior (it's in Spanish, but you can translate a website using systranbox.com.

This is what the Spanish Consulate in London says: NIE advice in English.

And here is the official website where you can download form ex14, ex16 and various other application forms that you might need.

Registering at your local town hall

This is obligatory for anyone staying in Spain for more than a short stay. Each barrio (neighbourhood) has a town hall (ayuntamiento) and you need to register there.

If you have a rental agreement for where you are living this is a very easy process. Simply take your passport and rental agreement to the local ayuntamiento. You will be asked for your name and address.

You may have problems registering at your local ayuntamiento if you don't have a rental contract.

If this is the case – you are sharing a flat with another person, for example – you will need to ask the person you are sharing with to complete a form called Autorización de Empadronamiento, which you obtain from the ayuntamiento.

This form requires that a person who is registered at your address verifies that you are also living at the same address.

The person needs to complete and sign the form, and also to give you a photocopy of either their DNI or passport.

Take this documentation back to the ayuntamiento together with your passport and you will be registered.

If you are sharing with people who are not registered at that address then you have more of a problem.

You have to show the original copy of the rental agreement to the ayuntamiento together with the completed Autorización de Empadronamiento form, plus a photocopy of the person's DNI, and, it goes without saying, your passport.

Residency Permit (Tarjeta de Residencia)

If you are living in Spain for any length of time, it's best to get yourself a residency card (Tarjeta de Residencia). It makes life much easier. By law in Spain you need to carry some form of photo identification and rather than carry your passport you can use your residency card instead. It's also of great help if you need to open a bank account or do many other administrative things in Spain.

There are two types of residency permit, a temporary one and a permanent one. Officially it is recommended that all people obtain a residency card whether it's obligatory for them or not.

How to apply for residency

Go to the oficina de extranjeros at Avenida Marques de l'Argentera 2 to collect and complete form Ex-16 – you will need your passport and a photocopy of your passport.

If you have access to the internet you can download the form first and complete it before you go: (Ex-16). You need to complete two copies.

Once your forms are completed you need to queue at the same office to have it verified and stamped. Then go to a bank and pay 6.70 euros.

British Embassy website

The British Embassy website offers good advice in English on moving to Spain and what you should do before you make the move: British Embassy website.

Using a gestor or lawyer

I found that nobody speaks English at any of these offices, so you need to have some knowledge of Spanish, take a friend who does speak Spanish or use a gestor.

Gestor's are similar to solicitors, but they are less qualified. For a reasonable fee (it will save you a lot of time) you can employ their services and they will arrange all of your documentation, wait in the queues for you and help you to obtain your NIE, residency permit or act for you on any number of issues. If you don't speak Spanish, a gestor can save you a great deal of time and frustration. Even if you do speak Spanish it may be worth hiring a gestor simply because they know the system.

Check the local telephone book, for a list of gestors in your area.

If you need a fully qualified lawyer, I can recommend Eduardo Vilá. I employed his services on two occasions and he was extremely efficient and reasonably priced. He speaks English and Japanese.

UK Consulate, Barcelona

Av. Diagonal 477, Esq. Eixample. Tel. 93 366 62 00 Fax: 93 366 62 21.

Mon - Fri: 9.30am - 1.30pm; 4 - 5pm.

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