Residencia

Can anyone tell me the advantages / disadvantages of becoming a resident in Spain? 

Are there implications for health care / taxes / pension / education, etc.?

Is it better to register or not?

Massive question I expect!  But would really appreciate any information because we are moving over to the Costa del Sol permanently this August

Many thanks,

Suzi

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There shouldn't be any advantages/disadvantges of residencia because we are all in the EU now.  However, there still are.  You will automatically be put on the health system with residencia, your taxes will be lower as you won't automatically pay the renta tax (not much but still a saving) and I am sure the experts on this site will come up with tons more reasons.

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"You will automatically be put on the health system with residencia".....

I suggest you trawl through the threads on healthcare in Spain to check on this. If you are pensionable age, this is probably true, but be careful to make SURE you are fully covered. Also, be aware that many of the discussions that have gone on in other threads refer to the situation in other parts of Spain, mostly Costa Blanca, and there can be regional variations.

It's worth registering on the padron (empadronamiento - or electoral role) when you move, as there can be advantages. For example, in Torremolinos you get a reduction on your water and rubbish rates, Benalmadena have just announced substantial discounts on IBI (council tax/rates) if you're signed up, so check your area for incentives.

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I would think that the majority of expats that live in Spain probably don't end up actually becoming resident, although I believe you should legally do this if you spend more than 6 months of the year her.  Like bobaol said we are all part of the EU now so even non residents have the same rights as residents.

You should difinitely register on the padron as it means the local town hall gets more money the more people they have registered with them, so it helps the area to grow.

I suppose there are also advantages if you are resident in terms of bank charges, mortgages, etc, but Smiley will probably be able to advise better on those.

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http://www.costaluzlawyers.es/eng/?p=26

 Some advantages, but there must be plenty more of them:

 a) Selling a property,:residents can compensate capital gains tax towards buying a new property. 

b)  Residents do not pay income tax on the notional value of their dwelling, non-residents pay a flat rate. ( 25%)

c)  Residents selling property in Spain are exempt from the obligation to allow the buyer to retain 3% of the declared value of the property. Non-residents must allow the buyer this additional 3% as a guarantee of the seller's tax payment to Hacienda.

d) Residents are entitled to a 95%-99,99% ( depending on autonomous communities) reduction of the inheritance tax .

e) Residents can vote in local elections. And being elected.

f)  Resident Pensioners have rightsto the all the benefits and reductions available to Spanish nationals.

g)  If stopped for a traffic offence, a non-resident may have their vehicle impounded until fines  are paid.

 
h) You can get a Spanish driving license.

 There is a new European Community Statue regarding residency coming out very soon.

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Very many thanks for all the replies to my question!

However, we do have a slightly complicated situation because my partner needs to remain a resident of the UK for financial reasons.  I am approaching retirement age (in three years) and we have a 14 year old son.  I guess I need to find out about my pension rights and other legal details, such as, can I become a resident of Spain independently?  And what about our son?  He will be attending an International School to take his IGCSEs and 'A' levels but, if he wants to attend University will he will have to return to the UK?  How might residencia affect his choices?

Can anyone recommend a website or publication where I can get this kind of information?

Suzi

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This message was last edited by JeansSis on 5/19/2007.

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Hi Catwoman!

Thanks for the info, will take a trip to Waterstones and seach for the book.

Lots love back,

Suzi xx

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This message was last edited by JeansSis on 5/19/2007.

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In my last email I forgot to change 25%into the new 18%. My apologies for that.
Best regards,
Maria L. de Castro

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ISBN-10: 190113041X

ISBN-13: 978-1901130416

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If anyone is wondering, Dirty Dick has posted the ISBN numbers for books on working and living in Spain.

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Dirty Dick - obviously a man of few words......bit impersonal if you ask me. Makes me feel like one of those sad lonely people who sit at their computer all night because they've got no friends in the real world.....come on Dick, say a few words, we don't bite!

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have asked this in another thread, so will repeat it here, more relevant here...

I have my residencia but have now changed address, how do i go about getting it changed and anything else I need to change at that?

Thanks for any help.

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I would suggest you don't bother changing it - too much hassle and not all that important. But do go to your local town hall to register on the Padron (empadronamiento) with your new address.

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Hi  Roberto. we  were reading in the paper about 2 weeks ago that Portugal is bringing out this summer a new ID card biometric type , in the winter also parts of Spain are doing the same so the ID card is not dead but coming back again which makes more sense than scrapping it dont you think ?   so Brussels might think they are no longer req    but some member states think differently   as we know in Germany you can be wisked off to the Police station if you dont have ID on you dont see them giving it up just for Brussels do you.      Regds.  Rosi n

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Rosi, I'd like to know more about that - first I've heard of it. The Spanish still have ID cards - it's just other EU Nationals who cannot be forced to have them (according to Brussels). You still have to carry ID in Spain - it just means we (Brits) will have to carry passports, since we don't have National ID cards (yet!) like Germany. For germans, this new rule is irrelevant, since they have their own cards anyway.

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Roberto      It was sometime back in the winter that we were reading about Andulucia are going to issue a new type of ID card it was in one of the local papers they could have got it wrong,  ( not the first time ) is the health card of no use as ID , my husband always used his ID card from work with photo on and never had no problem as proof  they proberly was not sure what they were looking at anyway , ( UK card )  the old Spanish Social  Security  ID card had a Photo on  is that still the same, is the health card different now  or is it the same card for Residents as we see many types of cards flying around these days.?  Does this all make sense to you.     Regds    Rosi n

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The Andalucian Health Service card has no photo. Drivers licence does, but my partner doesn't have one, so she has no alternative except her passport. .

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