Residencia - Anyone done it without a solicitor?

We did ours with Matt at One Way Services when it was still the green paper ones. He took us all to Alicante in 3 cars and bought us a coffee. He collected all of them for us and the others some days later all for €50 each. 2 years ago went with Right Move to get the newer plastic ones. They took us and others to Alicante for fingerprints and paperwork and took us all back again to collect them once they had been processed. At the time it was €75 each. Someone had told us they had paid €200 to a person to help with theirs and we thought that was extortionate. We would recommend either of these to do it for you and take all the worry and hassle of trying to do it yourself and finding where to go and what to take.

Expat in Quesada wrote:Hi All,

Has anyone here got their Spanish residencia without using a solicitor? We have all of the documents required, NIE, Updated Padron, Bank cert showing appropriate funds and health insurance. (Plus photocopies of everything) We received a quote to check our documents are all present and then accompany us to the Foreigners office. The cost is €400 + vat. Is this the norm here?

If anyone has done this on their own, is the visit to the Foreigners office something not for the faint of heart or is this something that can be done by someone that does not speak Spanish?

Cheers.

John.

You are asking about getting Residencia and state that you have all documents required. Does that include the Non Lucrative Visa which you would have to obtain at the relevant Embassy in the UK. Once you have the NLV you can then obtain your Residencia

As I understand you cannot just apply for residencia if you are 'here'. With regard to the price 400 does sound a little high for the service of booking appointment and taking you

Expat in Quesada wrote:Hi All,

Has anyone here got their Spanish residencia without using a solicitor? We have all of the documents required, NIE, Updated Padron, Bank cert showing appropriate funds and health insurance. (Plus photocopies of everything) We received a quote to check our documents are all present and then accompany us to the Foreigners office. The cost is €400 + vat. Is this the norm here?

If anyone has done this on their own, is the visit to the Foreigners office something not for the faint of heart or is this something that can be done by someone that does not speak Spanish?

Cheers.

John.

Assuming that you are from UK and already have your NLV then you don't really need a solicitor especially at that price. When you complete the EX23 for your residency appointment then it fully lists the documents you have to take with you so you don't really need that checking.

If not from UK and have EU (including Ireland) passports then again you don't need a solicitor. Simply apply to go on the register of foreign EU citizens residing in Spain.

Either way, 400 euro for a solicitor is extortion. Go with one of the others recommended. One Way services or the Expat Centre. Or find a solicitor that isn't charging that much.

No problem with the language at Alicante. You can apply elsewhere but it must be in the province you are taking up residence in.

Only problem is actually getting the appointment in the 3 months you are allowed.

sarnia cherie wrote:We did ours with Matt at One Way Services when it was still the green paper ones. He took us all to Alicante in 3 cars and bought us a coffee. He collected all of them for us and the others some days later all for €50 each. 2 years ago went with Right Move to get the newer plastic ones. They took us and others to Alicante for fingerprints and paperwork and took us all back again to collect them once they had been processed. At the time it was €75 each. Someone had told us they had paid €200 to a person to help with theirs and we thought that was extortionate. We would recommend either of these to do it for you and take all the worry and hassle of trying to do it yourself and finding where to go and what to take.

Many thanks for your reply.

Regards.

John.

marcliff wrote:

Expat in Quesada wrote:Hi All,

Has anyone here got their Spanish residencia without using a solicitor? We have all of the documents required, NIE, Updated Padron, Bank cert showing appropriate funds and health insurance. (Plus photocopies of everything) We received a quote to check our documents are all present and then accompany us to the Foreigners office. The cost is €400 + vat. Is this the norm here?

If anyone has done this on their own, is the visit to the Foreigners office something not for the faint of heart or is this something that can be done by someone that does not speak Spanish?

Cheers.

John.

Assuming that you are from UK and already have your NLV then you don't really need a solicitor especially at that price. When you complete the EX23 for your residency appointment then it fully lists the documents you have to take with you so you don't really need that checking.

If not from UK and have EU (including Ireland) passports then again you don't need a solicitor. Simply apply to go on the register of foreign EU citizens residing in Spain.

Either way, 400 euro for a solicitor is extortion. Go with one of the others recommended. One Way services or the Expat Centre. Or find a solicitor that isn't charging that much.

No problem with the language at Alicante. You can apply elsewhere but it must be in the province you are taking up residence in.

Only problem is actually getting the appointment in the 3 months you are allowed.

Many thanks Marcliff, good advice as usual.

Regards.

John.

neil_hamilton1 wrote:

Expat in Quesada wrote:Hi All,

Has anyone here got their Spanish residencia without using a solicitor? We have all of the documents required, NIE, Updated Padron, Bank cert showing appropriate funds and health insurance. (Plus photocopies of everything) We received a quote to check our documents are all present and then accompany us to the Foreigners office. The cost is €400 + vat. Is this the norm here?

If anyone has done this on their own, is the visit to the Foreigners office something not for the faint of heart or is this something that can be done by someone that does not speak Spanish?

Cheers.

John.

You are asking about getting Residencia and state that you have all documents required. Does that include the Non Lucrative Visa which you would have to obtain at the relevant Embassy in the UK. Once you have the NLV you can then obtain your Residencia

As I understand you cannot just apply for residencia if you are 'here'. With regard to the price 400 does sound a little high for the service of booking appointment and taking you

Many thanks for your reply Neil,

Regards.

John.

Chrisdee wrote:I think Matt charges about 100 pp and takes you. We did it ourselves, did it fairly easily, obviously a little nervous as wasn't sure of how it worked but we treated it as an adventure. As said, it's the appt which is difficult to get.

Cheers ChrisDee.

jpeg wrote:Apps are easier to get if you are prepared to travel farther afield it does not have to be Alicante

Cheers Jpeg

eboracum wrote:Join Help Vega Baga, for 13 Euros per person per year, and they will prepare all the forms and arrange appointments for you without charge. Plus lots of other benefits as well but to numerous to mention. THE BEST PERSONAL CARE DEAL YOU COULD MAKE THIS YEAR !!!!!

Cheers Eboracum.

Expat in Quesada wrote:Hi All,

Has anyone here got their Spanish residencia without using a solicitor? We have all of the documents required, NIE, Updated Padron, Bank cert showing appropriate funds and health insurance. (Plus photocopies of everything) We received a quote to check our documents are all present and then accompany us to the Foreigners office. The cost is €400 + vat. Is this the norm here?

If anyone has done this on their own, is the visit to the Foreigners office something not for the faint of heart or is this something that can be done by someone that does not speak Spanish?

Cheers.

John.

We used right move, excellent service. They made the appointment, drove us to the appointment and translated, no problem and not expensive