I am Irish citizen. My wife is Filipino. We are both currently in the Philippines. We hope to move to Spain permanently. What are the requirements for my wife to become a Spanish resident? What documents etc... should she bring with her from Philippines that may be needed? I have read that Filipino's get a shorter period to qualify for citizenship. Not sure how true that is. I also want to apply for citizenship. Does the fact that I am Irish (EU citizen) help her application or indeed mine? Appreciate any advice. Pat
Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 9:45pm
Legendary helpful member
I’m hoping Chrisso50 will jump in and correct any mistakes I make here :-D
Firstly, as an Irish Citizen, you can obtain Residencia as an EU Citizen. This is necessary if you wish to spend more than 90 days in Spain. I understand your wife will be granted Residencia as she is a family member of an EU Citizen.
Residencia will require first that you have a certificado de Empadronamiento - this is obtained through registering at the local Ayuntamiento to be placed on the Padrón.
Next requirement will be financial - an income of some kind, however derived, of 5.800,00 € per year (I think) per person applying. Income can be in any form, including a pension. If no income, you will need to provide at time of application a certificate from a Spanish bank attesting to an annual average balance of 9.750,00 € per person applying.
The final requirement is health insurance - either through employment in Spain and therefore payment of Autónomo entitling you to the Spanish health service, or private health insurance.
Those are the three big ones and you’d be well advised to have a professional guide you through the process when you arrive here.
As to citizenship, certain countries do have reduced wait - I believe South American countries are a two year wait from legal residency, i THINK the Philippines is a 5 year wait from legal residency (I stand to correction) but as an Irish Citizen it will be a 10 year wait from legal residency. You would have to show integration into the community and a certain ability to speak and comprehend Spanish
Un saludo, Darío
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 4:11am
Thank you Dario for your response.
Financially I would be ok. My pension would be enough.
The issue for me is health insurance.
I was told that via the E121 system that I could transfer my Irish health benefits from Ireland to Spain. The health service people in Ireland and Spanish authorities told me this.
I am retired (age 66 next August) and would not be able to get private health insurance via employment.
My private health insurance in Ireland expired as I am no longer spending a minimum of 180 days in Ireland.
Any further views welcome, particularly on the health insurance side.
Many thanks,
Pat
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 7:47am
Legendary helpful member
Ah of course - I believe yes, you are quite correct; as a pensioner you will be able to transfer health benefits from Ireland and your pension will certainly meet income requirements.
I have no idea how you go about transferring health benefits - in U.K. it was by use of a form S1 - I would imagine Ireland will have something similar; but again, yes - in that case you’ll be fine. If your wife is covered by your health benefits, she’ll meet necessary criteria as well then.
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 8:24am
Thank you Dario for your time. Really appreciate your advice. You are most helpful. As part of her residency application will my wife have to sit some exams? Read that somewhere.
Of course I will be seeking professional guidance on this and other matters and have already been in contact with a few lawyers in Spain.
I do have other questions which I will post later.
So glad I found this forum.
Best regards
Pat (am called Pat by most people, called Patrick here in Philippines)
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Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 8:34am
Legendary helpful member
Morning Pat,
Exams? I don’t believe for residency she will have to as she will obtain Residencia as wife of EU Citizen, so on the back of your Residencia - you WILL need your Marriage certificate Apostilled and translated though. I would say to wait until you get to Spain before getting your marriage certificate translated as they can be a little ... picky ... about translations. Get it done here by a Certified Judicial Translator and you’ll have no problems at all. There are plenty about and you’ll pick up recommendations as you go along, and doubtless you’ll find one in or close to the area you settle.
I see you have “villaricos” as your location - is that where you will be settling?
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:07am
Thanks again Dario.
Phew !!!! Re exams 😃.
Re Villaricos. I only put that in as there doesn't appear to be an undecided option.
I have no idea yet where I might settle. Depends on price, location, close to beach, supermarket, GP and Hospital services etc....
I have been to Spain before but never spent time in the South East region.
Suggestions welcome 🤗
Thanks again for your invaluable help.
Watch out for more posts/questions to follow.
Pat
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:32am
Legendary helpful member
Irish Pat wrote on Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:07am:
Thanks again Dario.
Phew !!!! Re exams 😃.
Read more...
Re Villaricos. I only put that in as there doesn't appear to be an undecided option.
I have no idea yet where I might settle. Depends on price, location, close to beach, supermarket, GP and Hospital services etc....
I have been to Spain before but never spent time in the South East region.
Suggestions welcome 🤗
Thanks again for your invaluable help.
Watch out for more posts/questions to follow.
Pat
It’s a beautiful area, with a lot to choose from, from Pueblo’s inland to seaside “resorts” and everything in between.
When you come over, take some time, look around and find the area that feels “right” for you. I can’t even begin to recommend anywhere because where you feel comfortable is such a personal thing. It also depends whether you want to be in the midst of “Spain” with primarily Spanish being spoken around you or whether you’d feel more comfortable in an area with a high percentage of Expats and English being spoken.
If you are looking at Citizenship down the line, showing that you have integrated into the community and speak the language will be paramount and that may guide you as well ...
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 11:55am
Very sound advice.
Yes, we'd like to rent a place initially, check out good estate agent and lawyer, check this great forum out for any advice when we're there.
As we're going to be living there permanently I'll want a place that's active all year, i.e. doesn't shut down off season. A relaxing location where we can walk by the sea, good local supermarket and medical services. We both intend to learn Spanish. My wife's language is not dissimilar to Spanish and I did a basic course before, albeit 30 years ago, so hope we can pick on the language.
A mixture of Spanish/ex pat would be nice. Am into the quiet life at my age 😂😂
Pat
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 12:42pm
Legendary helpful member
Ok - so seaside, but doesn’t shut down in Winter. Garrucha. Garrucha is very Spanish but has some expats there. Busy in Summer, it’s quieter in winter, but not dead, primarily because it is predominantly Spanish. It’s our main fishing port, but has a very pretty sea frontage and lots of restaurants and cafes, a high percentage of which stay open through the off season.
I live in Vera, about 10 minutes drive from Garrucha. Vera is also lively all year round - “lively” being a relative term for a pueblo if some 18.000 people :-D. Again primarily Spanish, there are expats around. Our Plaza Mayor is overlooked by the imposing edifice of a 16th Century church. Those are but two recommendations and I admit to some degree of bias - Vera is “my” town and Garrucha is my favourite seaside spot summer and winter.
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