Come back, all is forgiven

Expats who have gone under the radar are urged to 'become official' again

back, baby come back." If Torrevieja council chiefs were going to set their latest campaign to music, then this would probably be the song they'd choose.

For the town is set to lose an estimated 17,000 people from its official population count in 2015, leaving the local authority with less government funding, fewer councillors and no 'big city' status.

Some of the 'disappeared' have been identified as expats, still resident in Torrevieja, who have failed to renew their status on the municipal register (padrón) in the last five years.

Although many foreigners have returned to their home countries since the crippling economic crisis began to bite in 2008, the town hall is hoping to be able to boost the 'padrón' before the end of the year, when the national statistics office (INE) sets the official figures.

As a result European Union residents only will be able to use the international residents' office (OARI) facilities in the new tourism centre on Paseo Vista Alegre to renew their municipal register status.

Councillor for foreigners, Rosario Martínez Chazarra stated that this improved service will make the procedure easier and quicker for EU residents.

They will be able to do so on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 09.00-11.00, so avoiding the long queues at the census and statistics office on Calle Unión Musical.

Sra Martínez Chazarra flagged up