Border control and essential travel

"would this qualify as essential travel ??" 

I think you probably know the answer to that, not a hope! 

NIE's and bank accounts count for nought and as non residents you have no right being on the padron as it's declaration that you are habitually resident at the address on it which very clearly you are not however that might just be your one very slim chance of getting back into Spain as it's been reported that because of what it represents some border control have been allowed entry with just that and no additional proof of residence such as a residencia card. 

The big problem is that you can have no idea of whether that would work for you or not until you got there and rocking up in a UK regged van isn't going to help either as a genuine Spanish resident should not be driving one.

I think your best chance of retrieving your property may be to find someone willing to gather it up for you and put it in storage until you are able to get over and collect it. 

Hi Wittakery,

It's awful the way things have turned out for you after all the hard work you put into that property.

Your initial intention to spend a week per month there with the intention of eventually finding your very own place in the sun has been dealt a cruel blow by the onset of the Corona virus. Added to that fact having valuable equipment still at the property with no way of getting back before the lease expires, is understandably of great worry to you.

Not sure what your next move would be ,but hopefully others may advise.

Have you tried contacting The British Embassy to enquire whether you would be able to travel there overland under the Special circumstances exemption ?

Hope it all works out for you.

Best of luck 

LeckyLes 

What a mess and what a shame.

Could you ask your landlord if he can arrange storage for you until the restrictions are lifted, or even arrange to have your property sent to you in the UK? 

I really can't see your circumstances qualifying as a Force Majeure unfortunately.

So sorry this has happened to you.If you got intouch with one of the removal companies like Wise guys who have storage facilities beside removal vans I'm sure they could help.They are a very good company we used them when we moved over here and we wouldn't hesitate to use them again.Look them up on the internet and give them a ring.They I'm sure can drive through to UK without restrictions its worth a call or an email.Good luck.

Our full intention was to extend the leasebefore hopefully  buying a property and eventually move to Spain permanently. We had been holding off with brexit. We also were advised to obtain a pardon as it would be helpful when buying a Spanish registered vehicle. So not just a holiday home for a few weeks in the year

Just a thought, perhaps the Padron obtained was a Temporary 3 month Padron you would obtain from your local town hall when you would be applying for residency.   

Actually, IT IS essential travel and you will be allowed entry.

I have several colleagues who entered Spain during the last few days with similar issues.

The borders with Spain are NOT closed, you just need a reason, other than tourism, to pass the border checks. In reality, they are flexible.

I would suggest raising your question with the people who run the N332 Facebook page.   They are officers of the Guardia Civil, the Trafico Department is one of their's, and may be able to give you some advice.   Are you aware that even residents have restrictions and at present we are only allowed to travel within our home province?   However, as you suggest driving here, would it be via France?   If so, then they have different rules and regulations.    Are you also aware that our lockdown has been extended to around the 6th June?

Hi whittakery,

I would suggest you should have right of entry to Spain under the terms of "force majeure", but you need documentation to support your case, in English and also translated into Spanish.  For travel through France, you need to complete an attestation form:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/attestation-forms-for-travel-to-and-within-france

I recently helped another forum member with documentation for entry into Spain, after they had been denied entry at the Junquera crossing. They subsequently gained entry at Port Bou. Please feel free to send me a PM if you need help.

Finally, you'll also need a contingency plan, in case you are denied entry - unfortunately, no amount of documentation is likely to help if a Spanish border guard got out of the wrong side of the bed!

Kind regards, 

Kim