Renewing Residencia

I have to agree with johnzx

As the law of Spain states, that everyone must carry a national identification (including a photo), surely this is the law of their land. With the old card this was easy, now it's harder for all eu members who are resident in Spain.

You could be right John, perhaps it was with the best intentions but it ended up an obsession with them and caused untold grief for thousands of ex-pats. They may well have done some good work fighting for ex-pats` rights in other areas, but for me, that over-shadowed everything really. 

Due to injury and subsequent surgery last year I had to fork out the best part of 200 quid in order to renew my UK passport even though I had no intention of travelling anywhere, indeed wasn't even in a fit state to go anywhere, purely to satisfy Spanish Social Security that I was who I said I was. They simply would not consider Family book, driving licence, Familia Numerosa card, or expired passport.

99% of the time my Spanish driving licence is sufficient for ID but occasionally stores like Media Markt wont accept it (Alcala de Henares) and for some reason the Alcampo in Torrejon de Ardoz won't accept it instore yet the Alcampo petrol station in the car park does. It really is a hit and miss affair.

Life was far easier with the residencia, and cheaper too!

mateo,  when I obtained the new card, while I was in the issuing office,  i commented that, as it was likely to get worn and tatty over the years, i would laminate it. She said no-   it would invalidate it-hope you haven't laminated yours!  In my oponion,  it should be already laminated when you receive it.

I carry a notarised copy of my passport-I will not carry the original, just think of the expense, time and inconvenience if it got lost or stolen-not a rare event in Spain!

Like many others I bemoan the interferance of the expats who helped to abolish the original card-what have they got to say for themselves now?