LEVANTE LIFESTYLE

RESIDENCE CARDS AND FOREIGNERS’ CENTRAL REGISTRATION

THE NEW LAW

By Juana Mª Giménez Ballesta, solicitor

Until recently European Union citizens residing in Spain were not obliged to have a residence card. But in accordance with the *”Real Decreto” that regulates the entrance, free circulation and residence in Spain of citizens of the EU member states and the European Economic Area, all EU citizens without a residence card should now be registered on the Central Registry of Foreigners.

As of last January, 1.7 million EU citizens were registered in Spain. By March, more than one million had requested the foreigners’ card. This leaves around 700,000 EU citizens who need to request their registration on the registry.

Some sectors understand that these EU citizens have until September to put in their request, but I advise doing so as soon as possible to avoid possible sanctions of an administrative nature.

EU citizens who already have a residence card keep it until it comes up for renewal, when it will no longer be valid, and in its place the holder will obtain a registration certificate.

From now on, any EU citizen who wants to live in Spain will have three months from the time they enter the country to personally request their registration on the registry. Up until now, EU citizens who wanted to reside in Spain could request a residence card, although it was not obligatory.
EU citizens already living in Spain without a residence card will be able to request their registration on the registry with immediate effect.

To obtain the registration certificate issued to all EU citizens the application must be presented along with a current passport or national identity document. Applicants must go in person to the Foreigners’ Office in the province in which they are resident, or to the corresponding police station.

The web reference for the necessary application form is:
http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ex_16.pdf

On presenting the application and the corresponding payment, a registration certificate will be issued, which will contain the following information: the holder’s name, nationality, address, registration date and Foreigner Identity Number (NIE).

*Real Decreto 240/2007, de 16 de febrero, sobre entrada, libre circulación y residencia en España de ciudadanos de los Estados miembros de la Unión Europea y de otros Estados parte en el Acuerdo sobre el Espacio Económico Europeo.

BOE 51/2007, de 28 de febrero de 2007 Ref Boletín: 07/04184