Legally Living As A Resident On A Campsite In Benidorm

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Since Brexit, to live full time on a campsite in Spain, you have to register as a resident – The same as if you bought a bricks and mortar property. This comes into force when you stay more than 90 days in any 180 day period. The rules are constantly changing when it comes to qualifying for residencia so it’s essential to employ the services of a Gestoria. They will advise on all legal matters and submit applications on your behalf. Furthermore, they will also speak English or have translators available to communicate in your own language.

NIE, TIE, Residencia, Padron, SIP

There are 4 aspects to complete to become a resident of Spain. Essentially TIE & Residencia have merged into 1 for British ex-pats. Originally, you could obtain a ‘residencia’ as proof of living in Spain. But, this was swapped for a TIE card (non-EU nationals residency card) after Brexit. But, what are they?

Padron (Empadronamiento)

This is the first step as you’ll need this to apply for the other 3 documents. This is a registration at your local town hall to prove your address. Similar to being registered for Council Tax in the UK.

NIE

Basically, you need an NIE for everything in Spain. It’s essentially a tax number and you’ll need it to purchase a car, pay taxes or other official processes. Without an NIE you can’t complete the TIE process:

TIE (Residency card)

This is the important document for living in Benidorm as a full time resident. A TIE (or Residencia) is a residency card for non-EU nationals which came into force with Brexit. Obtaining a TIE was a complex process when it first came into force but not as difficult now. If you use the correct Gestor (gestoria) they can advise on the requirements & complete all paperwork on your behalf.

SIP

A SIP card is a personal use health card / medical card which allows you to use the national health service in Spain. You can also pay in to the health system monthly (similar to paying National Insurance in the UK) and this will allow you the same health benefits of any Spanish National. This is a great option for those who are going through the process of Residencia application to ensure you have health cover from the first day you arrive in Spain. Furthermore, you don’t need to have Residency in place to pay in to the Spanish National Health system.

Conclusion

Although the process can sound overwhelming, it isn’t actually that complicated. In Spain, Gestors are used for the purpose of completing most of this paperwork and making applications on your behalf. Their fees are reasonable and they ensure everything is completed correctly. In Benidorm, the choice of Gestors is vast, and most will speak a good level of English. You can find a reputable Gestor by doing a quick Google search or asking on our forum for recommendations.

*All information contained in this article should be used as a guide only. For up to date requirements and information please refer to the relevant governing bodies or authorities.