Useful Information

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Registration with the Spanish Authorities

EU Citizens should apply in person within 3 months of entry into Spain for a Residency Certificate (Certificado de residencia) by presenting a valid passport, completing an application form and paying a fee at either the local Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or the local police station (Comisario de Policia).

Registering with the British Consulate

British nationals who are either resident or travelling abroad should register their whereabouts with the FCO  to enable the Consulate to keep in touch with British nationals when they are overseas and also provide consular services in the event of an emergency.

The FCO has set up a new improved online registration service called LOCATE.  If you are resident in Spain and have not already done so you can complete the registration process on line at: https://www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal

If you are not paying into the Spanish Social Security System you may be able to get healthcare in Spain if :

If you do not fall into one of the above categories listed then you should consider private health insurance.

Cars and Driving - For full details go to:

Elections in the UK: British residents in Spain can vote in UK General Elections for up to 15 years while they are abroad for more information contact:  www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Elections in Spain: British nationals may vote in local and European elections (and stand as candidates provided they are registered as voters on their local Municipal Register (Padron)).  See the Web site for the Spanish Ministry of the Interior: www.mis.es

Education is obligatory for all children aged 6-16 if the parents are legally resident in Spain, and is free from pre-school to aged 18.  However, as pre-school is not obligatory not all children can gain a place.  The availability of places depends on the area of Spain and demand for places.

For more information: -

British Council -  www.britishcouncil.es 

British Schools in Spain - www.nabss.org 

For advice and information on bringing pets to Spain from the UK contact the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacion

Telephone:  (00 34)  91 347 8295  or (00 34) 91 347 5866

or by email to:        sganimal@mapya.es

Or for advice on taking pets from Spain to the UK contact:

Department for Environment, Foods and Rural Affairs at  www.defra.gov.org

for details of the Pets Travel Scheme

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Spain, to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.  However taxation is a complex issue and advice should be sought from a Spanish tax specialist.  Residents including retired people, are liable to pay tax on income earned in Spain or from property held in Spain.  This includes Property or Real Estate Tax, Wealth and Capital Gains Tax, VAT (IVA), Inheritance Tax and local municipal charges. 

For further information go to:

Thank you to the British Consulate in Malaga for the above information.