Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 9:53am
Hola Freda, I’m English, but with a Spanish name, but yes, have helped 4 people now through the Residencia process. I am not accredited by Spanish government to do this, so I am not a Gestor or Abogado, but having been through the process 4 times including accompanying applicants to Almería, nor am I the “friendly chappie down at the bar” that Rascalmate mentions :-D
The information needed is hard to get, and I guarantee different Gestor / Abogados will provide differing requirements - my first bit of advice will be to retain the services of someone who is a) qualified and; b) thoroughly familiar with the process. I would happily recommend our Asesoria in Vera, but she speaks no English. I would suggest C.A.T services in La Alfoquia would be a very very good place to start.
I CAN tell you that as a normal, natural person, moving to Spain with no job and not eligible for a UK pension and intending to stay for more than 3 months, you WILL need a) Bank account. b) Register on Padrón with local Ayuntamiento. c) a completed form EX18, normally completed by your Gestor or person dealing with paperwork. d) Payment of taxes of 12,00 € for Application. (This is accomplished by taking a form you will be presented with by Gestor to a bank and paying over the counter or from your account. This form is endorsed by the bank and given back to you) e) Proof of income as previously described. f) proof of Health Insurance.
Once you have this, an appointment at Extranjeria in Almería is made online.