01 Apr 2012 10:47 AM:

garyizme .... your last comment explains a lot.  It was explained to me by my bank that the reason for the different types of bank account is simply that residents and non-residents pay different taxes.  As has already been pointed out the Agencia Tributaria have been trying to get the non-residents to pay the appropriate tax (there are many thousands who don't) and they do this by obtaining the bank details.

paulsimkiss ... the suggestion that there needs to be a court order may be true (I really don't know) but (and no offence here) that sounds a little like assuming British practices are the same in Spain.  They do lots of things differently here and it does take a bit of getting used to.  I suspect the bank doesn't need such an order because I know of several unfortunate expats who have lost their wives / husbands / partners after moving here and the very first thing the bank do (if a joint account) is freeze the account.  They don't stand on ceremony and they don't get a court order.  It's done instantly by computer. This leads to all sorts of difficulties when the surviving spouse can't handle their finances (in one case it was over a year before it was sorted).  It is the perceived wisdon amongst our community that if the worst happens to your partner, do not be in any hurry to inform  the bank.  

Sorry I've strayed off topic again   ... 

Thread: Cancel my Residencia

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31 Mar 2012 6:01 PM:

Further to my last point , I realise that the original post writer still needs to cancel the residencia because it's affecting his bank account not because he's leaving the country, so it's obviously right for him to pursue it.

Thread: Cancel my Residencia

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31 Mar 2012 5:55 PM:

Hi poppyseed,

I see what you're saying but on closer inspection I wonder if the original post contained an inncuracy. The writer states that he /she was told by the car dealer to obtain N.I.E. and residencia in order to buy a car to keep at the holiday home which they visited for 3/4 months per year. If only visiting for less than six months he was not a resident and should not have got a residencia.  I have several neighbours who have bought cars to keep at their holiday homes.  None of them are residents of Spain and do not have residencias.   The matter about the bank account may be because there are two different types of accounts for residents and non-residents.  Which puts us back at square one  ...  and I'm still wondering what happens when a person leaves Spain and does not inform the powers that be that they have gone.  I know lots of people who have left in recent years and I I can't believe that they have all gone through the same long-winded procedure to cancel everything.  

Thread: Cancel my Residencia

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31 Mar 2012 3:19 PM:

The comments in respect of where to pay tax are of course interesting and this is a very common subject of discussion among expats and people thinking of moving to Spain. When we moved to Spain I spoke to the British Tax authority (HMRC) and found them very helpful.   However, I was attracted to this particulat thread because it was about how to "Cancel my Residencia" and we still don't seem to have progressed on that point.  For those who don't live in Spain and are unaware the "Residencia" is simply a document declaring that you have your name on the Register of Foreigners at a local office (often in a National Police station). It used to be a small plastic card that was used basically as an identity card.  About 5 years ago they changed it to a piece of paper and it's use as an I.D. was devalued because nobody carries it around with them.  In fact, I am not sure now what real value there is to obtaining this document.  Many expats live in Spain without ever being registered. Therefore, what is so critical about cancelling it?  That's a genuine question because I don't really know. I might be missing something.

Thread: Cancel my Residencia

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31 Mar 2012 1:31 PM:

kcp

Staying for 3-4 months and paying non-residents tax? Have I misunderstood?  Surely that only applies to those who own a property and use it for less than 183 days a year.  Anyone who merely visits the country (e.g by renting a villa) for up to 183 days is classed as a holidaymaker and doesn't pay any tax.  Being a resident I haven't paid much attention to the non-resident status but it would seem odd if you had to pay tax as a visitor.  Another point that hasn't been mentioned is that there is a difference between being a resident and being a fiscal resident (i.e. paying taxes in Spain).  It is necessary to register separately as a fiscal resident.

Thread: Cancel my Residencia

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