Extra residency appointments available in Alicante
Only for British citizens living in the province
MORE appointments for UK nationals to obtain residency in Spain have been made available at the central office for foreigners in Alicante city, the British Embassy in Madrid announced on Tuesday.
Many Britons who have been desperate to apply before the October 31 Brexit deadline have experienced months of frustration as the online system repeatedly told them none are available, apart from the odd cancellation that comes up occasionally.
According to the Embassy: "These residency appointments will be processed under normal EU rules, which means that applicants have to bring along their padrón (municipal register certificate), the correct application form (EX18) and proof the correct fee has been paid.
"Applicants also have to bring proof of income and healthcare cover in Spain."
For more information on supporting documents needed applicants should visit gov.uk/ livinginspain.
Costa Blanca News was able to confirm that appointments were available when this announcement was made, but did find some issues with the system.
On Tuesday the only appointments being offered were first thing on Wednesday morning, but if these were not possible to attend, the process has to be cancelled and repeated from the start.
By 16.00 that same afternoon no further appointments were available at all, but by midmorning on Wednesday three options were being offered, the furthest ahead being Monday, October 21. Then at 09.00 on Thursday there were none available again.
This makes it difficult for anyone who still has to obtain any of the required paperwork, for example an appointment to obtain a ‘padrón’ in Orihuela Costa can take up to two weeks.
A translator who has guided many Britons through the process already, Victoria Scott of Habla Conmigo advised applicants to ensure they have all the required paperwork ready, so they can take the first available appointment at short notice and will not be making a wasted journey.
She noted that the applicant’s ‘padrón’ will have to be up to date and they will also require statements for a Spanish bank account in their name, a passport photo and a copy of their passport.
Other requirements include: pensioners need the S1 for from the DWP in the UK, as well as a legally translated official statement confirming the amount they receive; workers need to be legally contracted for at least 20 hours per week to qualify and a history of their work in Spain (Vida Laboral) from social security; and those not working or receiving a pension need private healthcare and at least €7,500 per person in their bank account.
To make an appointment, visit the appointment booking website: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/ icpplus/index.html
Then select the province ‘Alicante’ and in the drop down menu, select ‘POLICIA – CERTIFICADOS UE (EXCLUSIVAMENTE PARA REINO UNIDO)’ and follow the steps to confirm your appointment time.