What is EU permanent residence?
The current EU law allows citizens between member states to travel freely as well as to reside in the territory of the EU. Likewise.
EU permanent residence or EU long-term residence (residencia larga duración-ue) allows foreigners who are not EU nationals to better move to any other EU country.
Requirements to apply for EU residence
-Applicants must have no criminal record. Note: If you have been convicted of a crime in Spain, you need to cancel your record before applying.
-Have lived in Spain legally and continuously for 5 years or more. Note: It refers to living in Spain, not in the EU. If you are a resident of another EU country, you can apply for EU residence in that country.
Continuity is defined as a single absence of no more than 6 months in the last 5 years and a cumulative absence of no more than 10 months over 5 years. If you have to travel a lot for work, the total period of absence should not exceed 1 year (proof of employment is required).
In general, the period of residence as a student cannot be considered as legal residence. The term “legal residence” is refered by law as residencia, while living in Spain as a student is called estancia.
Nevertheless, according to Article 152 of the Spanish Foreigners Act the period of residence as a student counts 50% for the purpose of applying for EU residence. In other words, if I have been in Spain for 4 years as a student, this period will count as 50% when applying for EU residence, i.e. 2 years.
-Applicants need to have the financial means to be able to support themselves (amount equivalent to IPREM). This can be demonstrated by a work contract or by running your own business.
-It is necessary to have health insurance, either public or private. If you have social security coverage in Spain, then you are considered to have public health insurance. In addition, you can also apply for an EU medical card, which will allow you to see a doctor in other countries of the European Union.
Documents required to apply EU permanent residence
1.Official application form (EX-11).
2.Copy of the entire passport. The reason for requesting the entire passport is to check the entry and exit stamps on it. The purpose is to confirm that the time limit for leaving the country has not been exceeded, and if the passport has been recently replaced, it is a good idea to bring the old one as well, otherwise the immigration office may ask you to present other documents to prove that you have resided legally for five years.
3. Documents proving that you have medical insurance, such as a private insurance policy or a medical card. All rights reserved .
4.Relevant proof of financial ability. If you are a worker, the best way is to submit documents such as pay stubs, insurance policies and work contracts. If you are a business owner, you can submit various tax returns and RENTA. There are no strict legal requirements in this regard, only that the applicant prove that he or she has sufficient financial means.
Note: The person must prove an income of at least the Spanish minimum standard of living IPREM value. If the applicant has family members, additional proof of the ability to support the family will be required.
Related article: Spain IPREM Economic Capability Indicators Explained
5.When applying, it is necessary to submit the paid version of TASA 790-052. When filling out form 790-052, check box 2.6 “autorización de residencia de larga duración y autorización de residencia de larga duración-UE” in the section on matters to be handled.
Note: If the applicant has lived in Spain for the last five years, he/she does not need to provide a certificate of non-conviction. All rights reserved
Application procedure
1.Applicants can submit their documents in person at the immigration office or authorize a third person to do so on their behalf. No advance online appointment time is required, although it depends on the local immigration office scheduling. It is also possible to submit documents through the corresponding government registry (registro), which varies slightly from place to place.
It is also possible to file the application online if you have digital certificate.
2.The approval time is three months. No response in three months is considered an approval by default. All rights reserved. Reproduction or reprinting by individual entities is prohibited.
