Posted: Thu May 9, 2019 11:38pm
Ah!
Not everything is simple with Spanish documentation and certificates.
This is Spain.
Went to change Sip cards for the new national ones, as ours were Valencian where we used to live.
Should be straightforward we thought.
Produce existing ones and new padron..
Refused.
Need Nie's. Oh really?
Produced green residency card, plus full A4 certificate, not temporary documents!
That will do it no problem we all thought.
No....... not acceptable too old....... Dated 2014.... You need new NIE certificates.
We went to the National Security Office in Almeria.... Cannot help you need to make an appointment at the National Police HQ in Almeria.
No longer can you just stroll in we were told.
Phone calls only for an appointment now.....
We have waited since 16.04.19 for an appointment to renew which the date we had back from them is now set for 27.05.19.
Then....... Perhaps we stand a chance of renewing our SIP cards.
All this is contrary to advice we took off forums, websites and even the UK Embassy and UK Consulate websites.
It is Spain after all. We live in hope.
Oh yes I should add we were supervised throughout by a Spanish National who took advice first from the Townhall Administrator....
Even she could not believe it nor the Administrator.
Moral of the story - do not take anything for granted when it comes to Spanish documentation, even research sometimes does not beat an awquard prejudice official.