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Legal

Paperwork in Spain can be a nightmare and sometimes seems set to deliberately catch out foreigners. This isn’t the case – even the Spanish don’t understand which form to fill in sometimes!

In this section we cover the basic requirements for the commonest procedures you’ll need to follow to live in Spain. Although we’ve done our best to supply you with as much up-to-date information as possible we are at the mercy of the Spanish authorities who do change things without telling anyone.

Spanish officialdom can be quite intimidating, particularly if you don’t speak Spanish. To keep your stress levels to a minimum, and of course ensure you fully understand what’s going on, it’s highly advisable to employ the services of a translator or interpreter if you don’t speak the language.

Using a gestor is also recommended. There is no real equivalent in England; they are basically a type of administrator that you employ to sort out anything that requires legal paperwork, from car documents to employment to social security.

Working your own way through the minefield of Spanish paperwork required for the simplest of tasks is not for the fainthearted. However, if you are a good Spanish speaker and want to take on the challenge it can be done. Ask other people how they’ve done things but make sure you keep an open mind as everyone will have a different story. Also remember that sometimes one province will have a different procedure than another.

The only way to be really sure is to work your way through a system yourself. Allow plenty of time and if you have to visit particular offices to collect papers always be prepared for the right person not to be there, the office to be closed or the queue to be long! This sounds a bit depressing, but being prepared for the worst makes it seem so much better when thinks go according to plan.

And there’s no better sound than the satisfying ‘thump’ on your form when an official stamps it and you know you’ve got the papers you need!

Just click on the subject you need to find out more about:

Getting your NIE number

Becoming a resident - Residencia

Registering on the Padrón - (empadronamiento)

Identification

What does a Spanish notary do?

Insurance

Applying for a UK passport in Spain

Lost or Stolen passports

Denuncia (report to the police)

Funerals & Wills in Spain

Registering a birth if born in Spain

Income tax - impuesto sobre la renta de las personas fisicas/IRPF

Property Tax

Inheritance Tax

Road Tax

Useful words & phrases - Legal

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