IMPORTANT NOTE
==============
As with all her files which are published here with permission, this
FAQ is copyright Sara Burgess of H.R. Services, and may NOT be
repoduced on other sites without her permission.  Such permission, for
non-commercial sites, will usually be granted, but please ask first.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
=================================

To end the year, I thought I would recap on what I have discussed
throughout 2002, and set out below some frequently asked questions,
together with the relevant answers.

What is the difference between an NIE and a NIF number?

 A NIE number is a number for identification purposes, and a NIF number
 for fiscal purposes. However, the numbers are the same and
 interchangeable, so if you have applied for a number to use for
 identification, you do not need to re-apply for a fiscal number.

Who should apply for a residentia?

Anyone who is spending more than 183 days a year in the Costa Blanca
region of Spain, including individuals who are working either as an
employee or in a self-employed capacity.

Now I have my Residencia, what should I do next?

You should firstly advise your bank of your new residence status, in
order to avoid paying the annual bank fee for issuing the non-resident
certificate. Some banks have different account numbers for residents,
and you will be advised accordingly by your branch.

You should also either present your UK driving licence to the Trafico
Office in Alicante, either for inspection and stamping/inscription, or
changing to a Spanish licence. If you have a vehicle that does not have
Spanish numberplates, you will have to "import" the vehicle and
re-register it here, which will also involve obtaining Spanish
numberplates. Thirdly, you should cease paying any Patrimonio & Renta
Tax and instead make an Income Tax Declaration on your worldwide assets
(if appropriate).

Having bought my Spanish property, am I now obliged to make a Spanish
will?

It is not a legal requirement that you make a Spanish Will - your UK
will provides for all your wordly assets -but it does make the
administrative process easier if a Spanish will exists. Unlike the UK,
a will cannot be validated by two independent witnesses, but has to be
signed in front of a Notary.

If I am a non resident, and pay patrimonio & renta tax, does that cover
taxes due for renting out my property?

 No - the two taxes are separate and unrelated, patrimonio & renta tax
 are for ownership of a property and your own use of same. If you rent
 your property out, you should make an additional tax declaration which
 amounts to 25% of the gross amount earned through rentals.

 Am I automatically entitled to Spanish national health care?

If you are a holidaymaker you can use the El11 health form, but you are
only entitled to receive ongoing health care if you apply for a
Residencia. Even then, unless you are a pensioner or receiving a
disability allowance, you are only entitled to temporary care on an
E106 form which is usually valid for up to two years.

AMENDMENT: Please note that procedures for requesting an E111 Health
Form have now changed - these are obtainable at any UK Post Office and
are of indefinite duration. However, their purpose is solely for
holiday use, and if the Spanish health system feels the form is being
used by individuals who spend the majority of their time in Spain, and
therefore should apply for a Residencia, they may refuse to accept the
El11.

As a non-resident, am I allowed to own a Spanish registered car?

Yes, but you will need a NIF number and a Certificado de
empadronamiento, which is a certificate from your local Town Hall
confirming your address in the municipality. As I have covered most
issues of interest to British residents and non-residents, in addition
to receiving an increasing number of individual enquiries which usually
relate to the same matters, I shall be changing the format of my
article to that of a "question and answer" column. Please remember I am
not a lawyer, and cannot answer complicated legal issues regarding
boundary or ownership disputes, or Spanish land law. I regret that I am
also unable to personally answer general queries, but if I can help
with your question, I shall include it in my subsequent article. Just
write, fax or email me at the addresses and numbers shown below (no
telephone calls please).

Finally, it only remains for me to send best wishes to all readers of
my column, and I hope that 2003 brings you everything you would wish
for yourself.