Residence Permit

As it says on the Ministry of the Interior’s website, to enter Spanish territory you need a passport or, where appropriate, a valid identity card showing the holder’s nationality. If the stay is to be for longer than three months, you will need to obtain a student visa from the Spanish Embassy in the country which you are coming from.

For stays of longer than three months a Residence Permit must be applied for, except in the case of citizens of one of the Member States of the European Union, of other States that are part of the Agreement on the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation, who are self-employed workers or employees, students or beneficiaries of the right to reside in Spain permanently.

When residence permits are compulsory, they must be applied for within a month from the date of entry into Spain. The person concerned will be given a receipt for the application form which, in the case of nationals from Member States of the European Union and other States that are part of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, will be sufficient accreditation of their situation. The foreign office in Santander deals with the processing of applications, and permits are granted or otherwise by the Government Delegation in Cantabria.

Applicants for residence permits should accompany their application with:

A. Three recent colour ID photographs, on a white background.
B. The identity card or passport, depending on nationality, under the protection of which the right of residence is held (the original must be presented and a copy handed over).
C.In exceptional circumstances, for reasons of public order, public safety or public health, a medical certificate accrediting the applicant’s state of health may also be requested.

The application and processing of the permit will be no obstacle to the provisional residence of the person concerned in Spain or to the carrying out of their activities.

NIE (Foreigner’s Identity Number)

It is essential to have this number in order to open a bank
account and authorise direct debiting for the payment of bills,
such as phone bills, etc.

To be assigned a NIE the following documents must be produced:

Standardised application form.
Identity card or passport (original and photocopy).
Documentation accrediting reasons or needs stated.

For more information, both on the Residence Permit and the NIE:

	Delegación del Gobierno C/ Vargas, 53. Planta baja. 39010 Santander.
		+34 942 999000 Ext. 9382
	Ministerio del Interior Web: http://www.mir.es/sites/mir/extranje/regimen_comunitario/entrada_estancia.html