Legal & Administration Services

The Spanish Legal system works very differently from that which most people are used to and matters that could be easily resolved in your own country become bewildering when in another, due to differences in the law or in the language.

Whether you need assistance in applying for building permissions for house renovations or require legal representation to look over contracts, our legal department are here for you.

We cover diverse legal services and provide assistance with all aspects of legal assistance that may be required.

LEGAL ADVICE	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
LEGAL ADVICE	LEGAL ADVICE	FREE	FREE

It's a good idea to open a bank account in Spain as soon as you can. If you're buying a property, it's easier to set up direct debits so that your utility bills are paid automatically. Banks in Spain are more competitive than they were a few years ago and you can get some good offers on all kinds of accounts, particularly if the bank sees that you have a regular sum of money coming in, such as a salary or pension payments.

You need to be at least 18 to open a bank account and provide proof of your identity (such as your passport or NIE certificate (See Above)
In Spain two kinds of bank accounts exist for international clients: cuenta para residentes (for customers with a Spanish residence permit), and cuenta para no residentes for non-resident clients. This is due to the difference in tax obligations for residents and non-residents. According to Spanish law, individuals who satisfy one of the following conditions are deemed resident for tax purposes:

• People who spend 183 days per year or more in Spain
• People who have made Spain the centre of their business or professional activity
• People with a spouse or underage children who are resident in Spain.

Most returns earned by non-residents from Spanish bank accounts or other financial investments are generally exempt from taxes in Spain, although they may be taxable in the country of residence. People intending to invest money in Spain should get professional advice to assess their particular situation.

HOW TO OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT  - RESIDENT

If you are resident here: Simply go to the bank with your Spanish residence permit and you will be able to open an account there and then.

HOW TO OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT  -  NON RESIDENT

Go to the bank of your choice with your passport and, if possible, a standard non-resident certificate. To obtain a certificate, go to your nearest Police station (Dirección General de la Policía) with your passport and a full photocopy of your passport and apply for a "certificado de no residencia". You will have to go and collect it about 10 days after applying.

These days more and more Spanish banks do not insist on non-residents giving them a certificate. Some even offer to apply for one on their client's behalf, which saves you from having to go to the Police Station yourself. They generally charge about 15 euros for this service. Banks are obliged to check that clients still have non-resident status every two years

Spanish banks do not insist on a minimum deposit on opening a bank account in euros, but they may if you want to open your Spanish bank account in another currency.  Most Spanish banks will charge you a small sum for opening the account and all banks charge a small amount (15-25 euros per year) for maintenance.

BANK ACCOUNT	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
BANK ACCOUNT	ANY TYPE	FREE	FREE

All foreigners with any kind of fiscal (tax) obligations here in Spain are required to obtain a foreigner's identity number, called an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), which identifies you to the Spanish tax authorities. This is very similar to the National Insurance number which you have in your own country.

This original certificate is essential when completing many of the transactions on a daily basis in Spain - buying and selling property or getting a car registered in your name are just some of the times when you will need to have this document.  We will prepare the paperwork for the application and then accompany you to the relevant issuing office to obtain this certificate.

HOW TO GET IT?

The Rental and Sales Centre will arrange everything. We need to go to the nearest police station with a foreigners’ department.
We need you to supply –

• YOUR PASSPORT WITH A PHOTOCOPY
• 2 X PASSPORT SIZED PHOTOGRAPHS

We will complete a form to fill in which will be in Spanish and give you a copy and return your passport to you . Depending on the particular office, It can take from a few days to a few weeks to process unless you go with our express next day service. The certificate is a stamped, white A4 size paper document with your name and NIE certificate

NIE NUMBER	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
NIE NUMBER	NEXT DAY – NO ATTENDANCE	€ 165.00	PER PERSON
NIE NUMBER	SAME WEEK	€ 100.00	PER PERSON

The padron reflects the details for your property so if your property is owned by a husband and wife then both their names will be on the padron. However if you have children or anyone else that will reside with you in the property, they too will need to register at the Ayuntamiento to obtain a padron.

The padron informs the local Spanish Government in your area that you are a property owner, and that you are residing in Spain. You will then be added to the official database where they can monitor their annual spending for the area in which you live.

The Spanish Government are taking large steps to ensure that anyone processing their residency or buying a Spanish car have to have a padron so it is important to get this little bit of paperwork processed as soon as possible. Without this paperwork it would be illegal to process your residency or purchase a Spanish car.

To process your padron you will need your passport, NIE number, a utility bill (water, electric, telephone) and a copy of your title deeds for your property. If you are renting the property then you will also need to have a long term lease contract and you need to produce a copy of this, please remember that the previous owner of the property will need to firstly sign off the padron before another family can sign on.

You will be registered at the Ayuntamiento until you sign off to change address. The padron certificate that is issued at the Ayuntamiento is only valid for 3-months and is for specific use only. If you need to provide it again after this period then you will need to take the old one back to the Town Hall with your passport and request a new certificate.

PADRON	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
PADRON	NEXT DAY – NO ATTENDANCE	€ 40.00	PER PERSON

There have been recent changes in the laws relating to the Residencia status here in Spain. Whereas previously this was a lengthy process in which an identity card was eventually given, the process has now been simplified by the issuing of a Residencia Certificate for EU nationals.

We provide a same day service for this certificate ensuring that your application is dealt with swiftly, and avoiding the lengthy queues that can await in the issuing offices.

RESIDENCIA CERTIFICATE	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
RESIDENCIA CERTIFICATE	RESIDENCIA CERTIFICATE	€ 100.00	PER PERSON

Orihuela Costa provides excellent medical services to both residents and visitors. As a visitor, you may require a translator to assist in the event of an appointment at the local Medical Centre or hospital.

If you are planning to live in the area on a long term basis, you will need to register at the local Medical Centre to receive treatment. Each Centre asks for different paperwork which can be complicated to complete. Our team can assist in liaising with the Medical Centre and follow through by requesting the various paperwork from the different offices in Spain.

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE	MEDICAL CERTIFICATE	P.O.A	PER PERSON

Purchasing property in Spain can often seem like a daunting process. Our team prepare the paperwork so that you, the client, can relax in the full knowledge that the process will be made as easy and stress-free as possible. From double checking the legalities of the property, to providing advice and legal contracts between both parties and translation in the Notary, Spanish Solutions will accompany you at every step of the way.

Our conveyance service includes the following aspects:

• Preparation of Utilities Contracts, Community Charge and Suma
• Setting the Notary Appointment with all related paperwork
• Accompaniment and translation at the Notary
• Advice on the tax implications of purchasing / selling property
• Fiscal Representation throughout the Process

HIRE AN EXPERIENCED LAWYER

Here at the Rental and Sales Centre, we'll be happy to recommend an experienced lawyer who will speak your language and is familiar with the needs of expatriates. Alternatively, you may wish to appoint your own lawyer, but you may be unsure about where to start? Get some recommendations from those you can trust who have bought property here recently. Any lawyer must be registered with his or her professional association which in Spain is called the Colegio de Abogados and there's one for each region.

ARRANGE A MORTGAGE

If you need a mortgage, your lawyer can recommend lenders, but it also pays to shop around as banks are now offering more flexible loans in the face of greater competition. Many UK banks have branches here on the Coast, including Barclays, Halifax (Banco Halifax Hispania) and Lloyds TSB and are offering competitive mortgages with favourable terms and, of course they speak your language and understand the needs of expatriates.

CONVEYANCING	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
CONVEYANCING	HOME PURCHASE	€ 1300.00	PER PROPERTY
CONVEYANCING	HOME SALE	€ 1000.00	PER PROPERTY

This is the process whereby you nominate someone to transact on your behalf, for example to buy or sell houses, open bank accounts and sign documents.

This can be between partners and on a reciprocal basis, giving both equal rights to effect transactions on behalf of each other. Also, this can be arranged for a third party, meaning that the purchasers/sellers of properties do not need to be present at the Notary when the sale takes place.
Power of Attorney can be given to one or two persons, for example, meaning that if one person cannot attend the signing for a property, the second person can go in their place and both represent the original Buyer/Seller. The Rental and Sales Centre can offer this type of representation or alternatively our solicitors.

The POA takes place in the Notary, in front of the people transferring powers and a translator. The document can be produced in Spanish, or in Spanish and English.

POA can be arranged with an expiry date, and after this date the document becomes invalid. This means that the person holding POA can only transact on behalf of the individual for a limited period. If POA is granted for an indefinite period of time, the same people have to return to the Notary when they desire to revoke the Power.   

POWER OF ATTORNEY	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
POWER OF ATTORNEY	POWER OF ATTORNEY	€ 180.00	DOCUMENT

Although many long term residents in Spain take courses to improve their level of Spanish, there are times when it´s necessary to ask for some professional help. Whether you require documents translated with an official stamp (needed by the Notary offices and legal offices) or perhaps some Medical Documents which you need to give to the Doctor, we can arrange for translations of all documents.

NOTARY

To complete any transaction in the Notary Office, you will require a translator to assist and translate in front of the Notary. We can provide translators to assist with all aspects of Notary services.

We can also arrange for official translations of any documents which you may require – for example birth and wedding certificates, Title deeds of properties and contracts for services.  

TRANSLATION	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
TRANSLATION	PLUS TRAVEL	€ 30.00	PER HOUR
TRANSLATION	PLUS TRAVEL	€ 50.00	MINIMUM

A police report is usually the most important document of evidence in any complaint, case or legal proceeding. It is a written record of the statements made by the individual(s) who file the complaint and the police officer's observations, thoughts, opinions and any statements made by other people involved in the situation.

In traffic related issues It is a written record of the arresting officer's thoughts, observations and opinions when he stops a vehicle, checks a vehicle, does any field sobriety tests, follows procedure, makes the decision to arrest someone, or processes someone at the police station. What the officer notes or documents in the official police report is critical in how any case is decided.

A police report is the most important document reviewed when someone is charged with any type of violation or crime. In court everything claimed as evidence by the police officer is based upon what is recorded in the police report. It is the starting point for verification of any statements made, any observations of behavior, witnesses and other impressions the officer may have noted could be important.      

POLICE REPORTS	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
POLICE REPORTS	POLICE REPORTS	€ 50.00	PER REPORT

Whether you are Non-Resident or Resident, it is important to have a separate Will, prepared and registered in Spain, covering just your Spanish assets.

With the minimum amount of fuss, we prepare Spanish Wills for clients owning property in Spain. Our service includes the preparation of the Will and translation in front of the Notary.

Once signed, you can be assured that your assets will be dealt with in the manner that you wish, and avoid expensive and timely delays which occur when no will has been made in Spain.      

SPANISH WILLS	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
SPANISH WILLS	SPANISH WILLS	€ 130.00	PER PERSON

Although we all wish it to be different, inevitably there are some things we cannot avoid! Homeowners in Spain have tax obligations which must be met, even when the Homeowner is resident in another country.

Our team can offer advice and calculate your individual tax responsibilities in Spain. Once contracted, we will contact you on an annual basis to ensure that you are kept up to date with these responsibilities.

Please contact us if you would like more information on Annual Taxes, Wealth Tax, SUMA. 

TAX AND ADVICE	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
TAX AND ADVICE	TAX AND ADVICE	FREE	FREE

RE-REGISTRATION IMPORTED CARS

Many clients find it more convenient to bring their car to Spain, than to purchase a new one once here. We can arrange for your car to pass the necessary paperwork, present the same in the Traffic Department and then obtain the Spanish Registration plates.

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP

If you buy a car privately in Spain, the paperwork to change the car into your name is a very different system to that which you are probably familiar with. Unless you are fluent in Spanish, it is impossible to deal with the administration department in Alicante to register the car in your name.
We can take the pain out of the administration, by dealing directly with Traffic on your behalf. You will then receive the new ownership documents in due course which can be collected from our office.

DRIVERS LICIENCE SPANISH

Once you are resident in Spain, it is necessary to change your Drivers License for a Spanish License.
We can take care of the administrative system dealing with this, presenting your application in the Spanish Traffic Department. You will receive a temporary license until the new one is ready for collection.

DRIVERS LICIENCE RENEWAL

Whether your license has expired naturally, or has been misplaced, we can assist in the paperwork and application of the replacement license. We can also advise and / or accompany you on the Medical Examination if you require.

IMPORTED CARS	DESCRIPTION	PRICE	UNIT
IMPORTED CARS	RE-REGISTRATION	P.O.A.	P.O.A.