Wow, all the conflicting info is mind boggling... every Forum, FB group, Website I go to has different info! If I had the funds I would just get a Lawyer to deal with the whole lot, instead of me getting frustrated.

I was told that even as a non permanent Resident one should go do the Padron, unless you only come out once a year, but if you are here a few months of the year, they advise that you register.

As for the NIE, I will find out where this Chick was trying to get the Appointment, because if it is the same place, then there is no point of me going there.

Chrissieb wrote:

Suzid1 wrote:I agree with Chrissieb's frustration. My stepson went to Torrievieja with Spanish speaking friend to make an appointment and was brushed away with a website address. It's irritating. He is going to work here and only wants to sort out his tax and SIP (ie be legal) but the Spanish seem to want to make it as difficult as possible. I feel we are going round in circles. He will earn a very low wage in a bar and it seems very unfair to have to pay 2/3rds of a week's wage to a lawyer to get an NIE.

Do you have that website address? Maybe a few of us should go together... strength in numbers, lol...

I do but am working at the moment. I will get it to you at the end of the day. !-)

I have just obtained my padron so I can become resident. I am not sure what you mean by "non permanent resident". If you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain the law says you must be resident. To do that you have to be on the Padron. I obtained my NIE years ago to enable to buy a car. NIE wasnt required for Padron.

valenciasman wrote:I have just obtained my padron so I can become resident. I am not sure what you mean by "non permanent resident". If you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain the law says you must be resident. To do that you have to be on the Padron. I obtained my NIE years ago to enable to buy a car. NIE wasnt required for Padron.

Duh, non permanent resident is obviously one who doesn't spend more than 183 days in Spain. I'm really not sure which one I will fall under, as my work is a bit unpredictable. But for now I will register as non-permanent.

The Padron is essentially there for the following reasons:

WHAT IS A PADRON?

It is an official certificate required for a lot of Spanish procedures.

According to the Spanish National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadísitca – INE):

A “Padrón” is an administrative registration where residents of the municipality are included. This data provides proof of residence in the municipality and the habitual residence therein.

Another important detail about the “Padrón” stated by the INE is that:

Everyone living in Spain must be registered in the local “Padrón” of the current place of residence. If you live in several locations you must only register in the place where you live the most.

A Padron is a way to keep track of how many people are living in a certain area, in my own words; having more functions and benefits as I’m going detail next.

WHAT IS A PADRON FOR?
The two main purposes of the padron, in my opinion, are:

1. Census, which determines the total amount of people living there, and helps provide the correct services needed in that area. Just a simple case study. You live in an area where there’s a total of 100,000 people. However, only 75,000 thousand are registered on the Padron. How many people do the national government think are living actually there? Yes, 75,000 people. Therefore, the national government will only give funding for that amount of people, which translates into less services (hospital, doctors, local offices, police, etc).

2. Vote, the local office to exercise your right to vote – Spanish people living in Spain must be registered on the padron to vote at a certain office during the election. For instance, I live in Torrevieja. Every time they run elections, either local, national or European, I receive a letter advising where I need to go in order to vote. This is because I’m registered on the Torrevieja padron, where I permanently live.

According to the British Government official website “you can vote in local and European elections as long as you are registered on the Spanish padron”.

I assume that on this basis it must be similar for the remaining EU member states.

BENEFITS OF BEING ON THE PADRON

The main ones I see are:

• More and better public services – I explained this in last section: the less people registered the less public services.

• Spanish residency – you can’t become a resident without being on the Padron.

• Heath care – you can’t get a fully covered Spanish health without a Spanish residency, in case you are a pensioner (I will cover everything dealing with health cards on the article scheduled on Sunday 02/11/2014).

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I hope that helps a bit... The Padron is easy to organise, but the NIE number seems to be a hassle!

Duh, non permanent resident is obviously one who doesn't spend more than 183 days in Spain. I'm really not sure which one I will fall under, as my work is a bit unpredictable. But for now I will register as non-permanent.

I am still confused when you say non permanent resident. If you spend more than 183 days in Spain you should be resident. To get Health Cover as in UK if not working you must sign off UK system using the S1 form from Newcastle. This is part of residency.

valenciasman wrote:Duh, non permanent resident is obviously one who doesn't spend more than 183 days in Spain. I'm really not sure which one I will fall under, as my work is a bit unpredictable. But for now I will register as non-permanent.

I am still confused when you say non permanent resident. If you spend more than 183 days in Spain you should be resident. To get Health Cover as in UK if not working you must sign off UK system using the S1 form from Newcastle. This is part of residency.

I really don't know what is so confusing here... Non-permanent is someone who spends LESS than 183 days in Spain! I don't think that is so difficult to understand.

As for the Health cover, I have no idea as I am not a UK Citizen. I am German, but not eligible for anything as I lived in South Africa for 39 years.

Sorry, I have never come across anyone classed as non permanent resident. Everyone I know is either resident or not. I really believe you need professional advice concerning residency and tax situation.

You can book an appointment online at the following website:
Applying for NIE and residency

You can apply at any of the following National Police stations or foreigners office in the Alicane province:

Well said marcliffe. As always a mine of information.

Cheers

Orihuela Costa is not doing any appointments at the moment, as they are changing over to some computerized system, so will only take bookings once that is done.
But I was referred to a German woman who has now booked for me at Elche, so going there on the 7th. A bit further to drive, but as long as I get it done its all good.