Recent changes in the law regarding the transfer of ownership on Spanish vehicles and obtaining registered SIP cards with the various E forms from Newcastle.

A new legislation was introduced at the end of last year but was not put into practice until Wednesday 6 February 2008. If the buyer of a vehicle has never before been the registered owner and keeper of a vehicle in Spain, the new procedure now demands that the buyer must possess the new Certificado de Registrar/Registration certificate or Residence Certificate as most people know it. Please note that this is not in fact, a certificate  showing you ARE resident permanently it is simply to show that you are staying in Spain for more than 3 months so you could could still in fact be domiciled in a different country.

Whilst on the subject of driving in Spain please read here for information you may not be aware of regarding the medicals that we ALL need whilst driving in Spain when we live here permanently.

If you have previously been the registered owner or keeper of a Spanish vehicle, it is still possible to transfer the ownership on the strength of an original NIE certificate. You should still be able to insure the vehicle whilst you sort out all the paperwork as you can still buy it from a private seller at least.

For Sip cards the same applies, whilst you may be able to obtain a temporary SIP card on your E111 you should register the E forms or your work contracts to get the SIP card you are entitled too. For example a contract to show you are paying Social security here in Spain will obtain you a permanent SIP card as will the E121 for retirees, the E106 will allow a set period dependant upon contributions and the E109 will get you a card if your partner is working in UK whilst you are here.

Please note that now March 2008 it is necessary according the comiseria in Elche that when applying for your children’s NIE’s that you as a parent applicant have to have the new certificate of registration first by using the old residence card application form EX16 before you apply for their NIE´s. The new price for the certificate of registration is 6.80 euros, each again as of March 2008. You can then apply for your children’s NIE´s with the form EX14 the price for the NIE application is 15.70 euros each, as of March 08... was 9 euros a few weeks ago... Don’t you just love the ´consistency?

For more information on NIE application and Residence requirements as well as the new Certificates of registration that have replaced the old residence cards and instructions on where to get the forms, where to apply and what to take with you when you do... read here.. and always check in advance for changes in rules and regulations, as, although I do my  best to get the most up to date information as and when it happens, it can and does change often!