RE registration oo EU Citizens Registry

This is a letter I have just sent to a couple of newspapers.

'Residencia' beware

Spanish law dictates: All EU citizens planning to reside in Spain for more than 3 months should register in person at the Oficina de Extranjeros in their province of residence or at designated Police stations. Upon registration you will be issued with a certificate printed on green paper. (NB This is not a valid form of ID but does prove your NIE).

I have confirmed with the Agencia Tributaria (The Spanish Tax Office) that a person so registered is thereby tax resident in Spain and thus must make tax returns on their worldwide income and assets. Any non-resident bank accounts will be frozen and any other duties or obligations of a resident will apply. This probably includes not being able to drive a non-Spanish registered vehicle, worldwide inheritance tax, etc. but the non-resident Foreign Owner Property Tax does not apply.

The registration may be cancelled by attending the office where it was issued, with your original passport and a copy, and completing an application form (in duplicate). If you have registered and are leaving Spain not to cancel the registration would mean you continue to be tax resident. I am not sure what liability one would still have for the period for which they were tax resident.

Johnnx

Good posting but your letter is headed Residencia beware - does that mean you are warning people of the decision to apply for residencia or that they should consider the implications?