moving now to Spain from UK - Brexit and the EU: living, holidaying and moving to El Campello - El Campello forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
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moving now to Spain from UK

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:20pm
18 replies591 views8 members subscribed
Linda A

Posts: 5

1 helpful points

Location: El Campello

Joined: 30 Mar 2017

We are retired. If we move to Campello this year before UK actually leaves the EU can we take residencia in Spain , and be treated the same as expats who have been there a number of years?

John56

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:28pm

John56

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Location: La Zenia

Joined: 7 Jul 2016

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:28pm

At present no one knows what will happen after Brexit, anyone who says they do is lying. Common sense would dictate that the rights of Expats living in Spain would remain as it currently is, likewise the rights of EU nationals living in the U.K. should be retained after Brexit. But there is no guarantee that this will be the case however, I would say move to Spain permanently as soon as possible. We are making the move later this year but we are fortunate that as we come from Northern Ireland we have dual nationality and hold British and Irish passports so can still claim to be EU citizens even after Brexit.

jimtaylor

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:10am

jimtaylor

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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:10am

It's actually not a case of 'can' you take residencia - if you move here you must do so.

dinnerout

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 11:01am

dinnerout

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Location: Beniarbeig

Joined: 18 Sep 2015

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 11:01am

Linda A wrote on Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:20pm:

We are retired. If we move to Campello this year before UK actually leaves the EU can we take residencia in Spain , and be treated the same as expats who have been there a number of years?

I'm no expert but here's a thought..........I think any changes to regulations affecting ex pats are going to come in AFTER we officially leave the EU. So although it might be a gamble in some ways, if you are thinking seriously about moving to Spain or have made your mind up that you're doing so, do it before our exit. I would have thought that Spain will at the very least keep "existing" ex pat terms and conditions the same, ie unaffected as far as Spain goes, whereas people moving after we have officially exited the EU could (potentially) be subject to less generous benefits of residency which could tumble out of a hard Brexit where horsetrading takes place.

Pure speculation of course, because as someone said we just don't know what will happen!

covetanewone

Posted: Fri Oct 5, 2018 6:15pm

Posts: 59

29 helpful points

Location: El Campello

Joined: 17 Jul 2018

Posted: Fri Oct 5, 2018 6:15pm

Linda A wrote on Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:20pm:

We are retired. If we move to Campello this year before UK actually leaves the EU can we take residencia in Spain , and be treated the same as expats who have been there a number of years?

Hello, we are family of four and moved here two weeks ago!  As other replies state, who knows what will happen with Brexit, but sometimes you just have to take the chance.  Many expats I have found are not in residency, as you can stay I believe 180 days without being a resident.  In our situation as we wanted to live, work here and have children in school we took applied for our NIE via a Gestor (solicitor) in El Campello three weeks before arriving.  Sending the gestor our passport copies,  birth certificates etc prior to arriving.  On arrival we phoned the gestor ( who speaks several languages) and arranged a meeting with them.  The gestor had already arranged an appointment for us and filled out all the paperwork!!!   In Alicante you have to wait at least three weeks it seems to have an appointment, Our appointment was in Benidorm and only took 20 minutes.  We had to drive back to Benidorm the next afternoon to pick up our NIE.

In short, if you are seriously thinking of moving here full time...and are not worried about .the challenge Brexit will bring........contact a gestor prior to coming, they are a GodSend!  

If you want the info on ours please message us.   P.S using the gestor was extremely cheap and fast, and we are also using her for Car import, schools, employment and information.

GOOD LUCK!

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paulsav

Posted: Sat Oct 6, 2018 10:43am

paulsav

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Location: Villena

Joined: 4 Dec 2015

Posted: Sat Oct 6, 2018 10:43am

Hi, read your post but little confused as you stated you were applying for your NIE which of course is nothing to do with residency just a register of "strangers". Are you continuing to apply for residency before Brexit happens through same gestor which you will need to do to avoid any changes that Brexit causes? 

Pauline.

paulsav

Posted: Sun Oct 7, 2018 8:15pm

paulsav

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Posted: Sun Oct 7, 2018 8:15pm

Thanks Dave for that info, I was concerned Covetanewone thought that was all they had to do. Unfortunately I too get very confused with varying info. The residente comunitario which is applied for after 90days in Spain, can this be done earlier if you know you are staying for 90days and is this classed as being a legal Spanish resident even if you have a UK home? Forgive me for seeming stupid but as said I am confused. What is the difference between residente comunitario and applying for residency?

Thanks in advance

Pauline.

dinnerout

Posted: Sun Oct 7, 2018 8:42pm

dinnerout

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Posted: Sun Oct 7, 2018 8:42pm

Pauline apologies for jumping in. 

I don't recognise the word comunitario. However my understanding is that "Residencia" is what you apply for if you spend more than 183 days in Spain. If you spend more than 183 days in Spain and don't apply for Residencia you are in effect an illegal alien. Dave says this kicks in at 90 days, I'm happy to be proved wrong! 

Residencia is not unreasonably withheld. However to get Residencia status you must demonstrate sufficient means to live on and have private health cover if you are below retirement age. 

So for the avoidance of doubt, you could own a property in the UK but if you spend over 183 days at your Spanish property you are a Spanish resident as far as the Spanish state is concerned. As i say I don't recognise the 90 day reference made but perhaps others will clarify 100%

paulsav

Posted: Sun Oct 7, 2018 9:45pm

paulsav

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Posted: Sun Oct 7, 2018 9:45pm

Your reply typifies my confusion and makes me feel less stupid. I have read one has to register after 90days but didnt know what it was called and what it classed as far as status, so I hope Dave or someone in the know(perhaps Jim?) can clarify my confusion

Pauline. 

paulsav

Posted: Sun Oct 7, 2018 11:37pm

paulsav

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1009 helpful points

Location: Villena

Joined: 4 Dec 2015

Posted: Sun Oct 7, 2018 11:37pm

To Ray, many apologies for calling you Dave??. Thankyou for the link which now gives me a clearer insight into residency. I only have 1 more question, am I right in thinking I can apply for residency after 90 days(yes to this bit) and still keep my UK home to visit for short periods without having to sell up first.

Pauline.

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