How long can you stay in Spain without residencia

I think It's 183 days, we have just started the process, the first date our Solicitor can get is 10th July. First we have to register at the town hall to get on the padron, but can't do that too soon, no longer than a month before our appointment in July, we have been told It's a bit of a fandango and very time consuming.

I can't understand why, in this day and age registering on the padron can't be done on-line.

Just one tip, you will need a passport style photo, there is a booth at La Zenia Boulevard in the under ground car park, if you go down the escalator by the English guardsman figures, the booth is on your left, the cost is €5.

3 months.

> 6 months relates to tax residency.

Thanks

Hi it is currently no more than 183 days in a 12 month period after that you would be considered a tax resident.

How does anyone know how long someone spends in the country?

Good point.

The airports are have installed passport e-scanners, so there is a record there. But if you get a normal (human) border guard, they just glance at your passport, so no record is taken. 

I haven't seen the e-scanners used on the ferry routes yet.

I think the bigger point is health/accident insurance. My wife was taken ill last year (in the USA as it happens). The first thing our insurance people asked for was proof of our travel bookings - to be sure that we were within our allowed travel duration (we had a multi-trip policy, each trip not to exceed 45 days - we were covered OK).

In the EU, EHIC cards get you emergency cover, but nothing more. No recovery support or repatriation. Of course, things are likely to change as/when the UK exits the EU. 

When the UK leaves the EU you may have to get a visa!

Too true! Who knows what will happen then.

Yes the passport thing works if you go to the uk, which I never do, I left in 1985, but when I drive to my house in France and back there is no  border. Last month when I flew to Germany I showed the bag drop person my id card and it was glanced at again at the gate but that was it, just collected my bags and left the airport. So how does anyone know where you are once in the Schengen area?