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Getting a Spanish NIE in the UK
What is a N.I.E. (Foreigners' Identity Number)?
A Spanish Foreigners’ Identity Number (NIE) is a Spanish tax identification number that the Spanish authorities assign to any foreigner. They are issued by the National Police of Spain, who also issue Spanish passports and ID cards.
You need a NIE in Spain to:
- Apply for a vehicle license.
- Apply to have utilities placed in your Spanish residence or business, i.e. water, electric, phone.
- Sell or buy a property or conduct any business.
- Legally be employed or establish a business.
- Open a bank account.
- Pay taxes.
- Sign contracts and a mortgage.
- Pay for tariffs on imported goods.
- Study in Spain and more.
There is also a C.I.F. (Company Fiscal Number) for foreign companies that have business deals in Spain.
We can obtain a NIE on your behalf at the Spanish Consulate in London. This service is provided quickly and efficiently, at very competitive prices.
Spanish Inheritance (Probate)
Abide by the country’s inheritance laws either through a will or through laws of succession. Get in touch with us today.
Susana is a specialist in international private law with vast experience in winding up the Spanish estates of the deceased. Throughout her career, she has provided legal services through solicitors and probate practitioners or directly to individual executors and beneficiaries, wherever they are.
During this time, Susana has assisted hundreds of beneficiaries in completing the legal processes in Spain, in the most effective way, whether or not the deceased has left a Will (English or Spanish).
Spanish Law does not operate like English Law in the event of someone’s death.
- There is no automatic transfer of ownership when someone dies in Spain. In England, a spouse automatically receives their inheritance; the ownership must be changed when a spouse or partner leaves Spanish property.
- In the case of shared property ownership (where both spouses are listed as the property owners at the Land Registry), when one person dies, the Spanish inheritance process requires that an adjudication deed must be signed in front of a notary or the Spanish Consul in London. This change of ownership must then be registered with the Land Registry.
- Inheritance tax is payable against the deceased’s property and also includes money held in bank accounts, vehicles, deposits, and other assets that the deceased may have in Spain.
- A property cannot be sold until the Spanish inheritance process has been completed. This must be done within a six-month time frame; otherwise, the heirs must pay additional interest on the amount owed.
Spanish Legal Services will look after your interests by clearly explaining the Spanish inheritance process and providing comprehensive advice and simple guidance on how to wind up the deceased’s estate in Spain in the most efficient manner.
Susana will ensure correct completion of all necessary documentation, deal directly with any Spanish contacts and arrange for the notarisation and signing of deeds. As an experienced Abogado (Spanish solicitor), she can provide Affidavits on a range of matters within her area of expertise, which will be recognized by the Courts and Authorities of any country.
Susana can help clarify the amount of tax that beneficiaries are likely to pay, considering factors such as the property’s location and the beneficiaries’ relationships with the deceased.
The Spanish inheritance processes can be straightforward and carried out in England, but only if you have the correct expertise. All required is that you grant Spanish Legal Services power of attorney to complete the deceased’s estate on your behalf while we do the rest.
Donation and Reduction of Taxes
Spanish Legal Services can provide you with the necessary advice for donation and reduction of taxes.
The Spanish central Government has delegated inheritance and donation tax legislation to the autonomous governments of the different regions. Therefore, allowances or reductions which apply are made by the Regional Government.
The Spanish Government will soon introduce a ‘fiscal harmonisation’ policy to eliminate the different practices between regions. The taxation levels are more favourable in specific areas such as Madrid, Andalucia, Valencian Community, Murcia, and Canary Inland. This advantage for those donating or inheriting will disappear with implementing the tax harmonisation policy.
The Brexit and the implications of the new policy have resulted in many people choosing to donate their property. At the same time, conditions are more favourable, whether they are residents or non-residents.
Spanish legal service is here and at your disposal if you want us to study your specific case. We can complete the donation process in a minimum amount of time and make sure that you benefit from the numerous advantages that there are at present. We can prepare the donation gift to be signed before the Spanish Consul in London.
Spanish Wills
We take care of all your legal details and ensure that the right people inherit your property.
The EU Succession Regulation (EU 650/2012), known as Brussels IV, was introduced to unify succession laws across EU member states. In the case of individuals with assets located in those EU member states that are signatories to the Regulation (“the Regulation Member States”), the default position is that the succession of those assets will be governed by the law of the country in which the individual died habitually residing.
When an individual dies, the default position is that the law applicable to the succession of that individual’s estate will be the law of the country where the individual was habitually resident at the time of their death. Regardless of where the assets in their estate are situated and whether moveable or immoveable, the intention is that only one succession law will apply.
This law will interest people with assets, holiday homes, bank accounts, and other investments in Spain (or in other European countries). These people should have two separate wills, one dealing with their Spanish or European assets and their British assets. Both the wills should have British nationality mentioned in them and their wish that their inheritance be governed by the laws of their nationality, i.e. the law of England and Wales or Scotland.
Conveyancing
Avoid costly mistakes when buying or selling Spanish property.
We take due diligence for you to buy a property securely to avoid becoming the victim of fraud. We verify that the property is legally built, and its planning permission is in order.
Generally, there are no restrictions on foreign real estate ownership. If the purchase fund comes from a tax haven, the buyer must fill out a Declaration to the Foreign Investment Register form, which expires six months before buying the property in Spain.
As a buyer, you must provide bank account details to source your funds and obtain an identity card N.I.E.
There are no particular restrictions or limitations for applying for mortgage guarantees and loans, but you must comply with Money Laundering Regulations.
The purchase of the property should be executed by public deed in front of a Notary. Then, the completion deed recording the transaction is sent to the Land Registry.
The Notary checks that the rights against the land will be constituted, amended, or extinguished in the completion deed following legal requirements. The tax authorities then review the completion deed to check that the transfer tax and plusvalia tax have been paid.
We will apply for an office copy entry from the Land Registry, which registers contracts and legal or administrative resolutions that affect property and other real estate rights. The office copy entry also records legal decisions that may affect the capacity of the owner and notes changes of use, enjoyment, and other rights that affect a property.
The office copy entry contains details of the owner, the property’s surface area, and a description of the estate, including soil type and adjoining properties.
The main ownership categories are full property ownership (similar to freehold in the U.K) and partial ownership rights as the ‘usufruct’, where the heirs of the title own the property. The benefit and use are assigned to a third party, usually the surviving spouse or partner.
Selling your Spanish property can be stressful and challenging, mainly if you have to do it overseas. We can advise you on the sale of your property. We peruse all your documentation to give you a hassle-free experience.
We ensure to protect your rights and interests under a fair legal contract.
Divorce & Dissolution of Partnerships
Divorcing in the UK and Assets in Spain.
The dissolution of the partnership deed needs to be signed before the notary public and should be duly registered at the Land Registry. The person keeping the property usually pays the costs, but the divorce agreement should mention this. The dissolution of the partnership would incur expenses of land registry, notary, stamp duty, and other minor items. The Spanish legal service can arrange these for one of the spouses, and the other spouse will also have to sign the transfer deed, either by way of a power of attorney or in person.
While spouses are joint owners, any of them could sell without the other’s consent and signature.
Lawyers at the Spanish Legal Service have prior experience solving complicated divorce issues and problems associated with property transfer. Our team can also assist you in preparing the power of attorney and the dissolution of the partnership deed.
The Spanish Golden Visa.
You can obtain a Residency in Spain by Investment in a Real estate. SPAIN INVESTOR VISA”
Usually called the GOLDEN VISA is a Residency entitlement based on substantial investment, – with entitlement to Spanish citizenship after ten years of residence. This visa can be requested by third-country nationals who wish to reside in Spain without engaging in any work or professional activity.Thanks to its speed and simplicity, the Spanish Golden Visa for investors has been gaining popularity that does not stop growing.
The Golden Visa as the investor residence permit is regulated by 14/2003 Entrepreneur’s
Law.
There are some advantages:
- You can apply directly from Spain.
- With the golden visa you are granted the right to live and work in Spain for two years initially (instead of just 1).
- With the visa gold, the second renewal is made after 5 years. Then, you will be able to get permanent residency. A golden visa is one of the many ways to obtain Spanish nationality. After 10 years of residing legally in Spain, the investor will be eligible for citizenship.
The applicant must meet the following requirements to apply for the golden residency successfully,:
- Not be a citizen of a country member of the European Union. · Be of legal age (+18 in Spain).
- Lack of criminal records, both in Spain and any other country. The deadline to take into account here will be the last 5 years.
- Having full- coverage healthcare in Spain. This can be obtained through public insurance or private one. Travel insurance or insurance from the country of origin won’t be valid here.
- Having and demonstrating sufficient economic means to maintain both the principal investor and his family (if he also applied for their residency permits).
- Realize the investment in Spanish real estate minimum € 500,000, and provide the corresponding document that proves it.
Spanish legal service is here and at your disposal if you want us to study your specific case.