Acquiring residency

This website from "Upsticks.es"may be of help:

https://upsticks.es/residency-in-spain-for-irish-passport-holders-all-you-need-to-know/amp/

Steve 

There is no ned for any "application" you just register at any competent police station and that's it.

It won't take long at all. Once you're living here over three months arrange an appointment with the local National Police and they do it.

I would suggest using a gestoria, Get Legal In Spain, are good. 

You'll need bank statements for the three months showing all incomings and outgoings, fully paid health insurances and an up to date padron.

All very straight forward stuff . Should be completed in a matter of weeks as you're not British.

You can register yourself at a National Police station after making an appointment online. There is no need to employ expensive solicitors. 

You might find these links useful:

https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/spain/our-services/new-to-spain/residency-and-entry-requirements/

https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/spain/our-services/new-to-spain/

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/telaviv/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/NIE.aspx

Thank you for your advice. I actually am British, but availed of the opportunity to obtain an Irish passport. My partner is Irish. Regarding proof of income: I have a Spanish bank account. But at the moment all my income (pensions) go to my Irish bank account. Do I have to show them going into my Spanish bank or can I show my income to my Irish accounts?

I have dual nationality also, British and Irish but register as being Irish nationality here in Spain. No need to disclose you have British nationality also. You can provide evidence of income from your UK bank(s) at the interview with the police. You should also produce written evidence of your pension income. If you are both in receipt of State pension in the UK you should obtain form S1 (see links below) as this will provide proof of healthcare cover. 

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/moving-abroad/planning-your-healthcare/

https://www.ageinspain.org/post/s1-form-state-healthcare-in-spain-for-uk-pensioners

https://www.ageinspain.org/post/s1-form-state-healthcare-in-spain-for-uk-pensioners

As you both have Irish passports I would suggest you also obtain an Irish Passport card. These are similar to an identity card and you can use them as ID anywhere, including to travel within the EU/EEA instead of having to carry a passport all the time. The passport cards are valid for 5 years and only as long as you have a valid passport. This link will provide further information:

https://www.dfa.ie/passportcard/

Hi Ian,

There'e no need to use a lawyer for your registration on the Foreigners' list.  It will be much cheaper to use a gestor; I also recommend Uma Sanz of Get Legal in Spain:

https://www.getlegalinspain.com/nie-residencia.html

Kind regards,

Kim

Can you please tell me what the difference is between a Gestor and a solicitor? I have used a very good solicitor in La Zenia who has power of attorney. Always seems reasonable and not overly expensive. Next door to the solicitor is an office where I had to go to get my NIE (I think). Would that be the Gestor? 

Thanks for your advice.

Ian

Hi Ian,

You should always use a lawyer ("abogado") for anything contractual, like buying a house.  Gestors help their clients navigate the infamous Spanish bureaucracy - they may be professionally qualified, but don't have to be, hence their hourly rates are much cheaper, but they are experts at cutting through red tape.  When we first moved to Spain, I used a gestor for our NIEs, green residency cards and exchanging our driving licences.

This article, by the company I use for our taxes, Abaco Advisers, is a useful summary of the different professionals you may need in Spain:

https://blog.abacoadvisers.com/knowing-your-gestor-from-your-abogado-in-spain-2/

Kind regards,

Kim