Thread: Questions re.non EU Citizens/Spain

We( my 10 y.old daughter and I) are from Canada and planned to stay in Spain for the entire school year. Just called the Embassy and was told that the only way it could be done is, if my daughter registered with a school, she would receive a student visa and I would go as an companion.
Would I be able to register my daughter to an Escuela Primaria Publico ? From what I understood you need to register with the Town Hall first, but you have to show a proof of rental place, etc... How would I be able to do all these from here
If I go there without a long term visa, could stay 90 days, would I be able to register my daughter with a Publico School and not having the visa?
I know that most of you are EU Citizens, but if there is any outsider with same experience pls. let me know.

Hi Steelhead, I dont know if this is of any help. I am also a non EU citizen, from South Africa and planning my move in the next couple of months. I do not think for a Canadian citizen you need a visa, I could be mistaken, but the limit is 90 days, 3 months. If you plan on staying longer, have a chat to the Spanish embasy in Canada, they should give you the advice.
What I was offered was a resdencia certificate, but I have to first apply for my NIE in Spain, cant get it outside, and then the residencia. You do however have to show your income statements, how you going to sustain yourself etc...this is a tedious process. Apart from staying long term I am not to sure of any other ways as this was the only option the embasy made me aware of.
Visa etc...you can manage from Canada, unfortunately registering with the town hall and obtaining a NIE has to be done inside Spain. What I am doing is all the paperwork that I can do outside, then upon my 90 day visa manage what need be within Spain, a good tip as I am sure many will mention is get yourself a reputable Gestoria? Hope the spelling is right... that will make your life all the simpler

Originally Posted by JeanPierre

Hi Steelhead, I dont know if this is of any help. I am also a non EU citizen, from South Africa and planning my move in the next couple of months. I do not think for a Canadian citizen you need a visa, I could be mistaken, but the limit is 90 days, 3 months. If you plan on staying longer, have a chat to the Spanish embasy in Canada, they should give you the advice.
What I was offered was a resdencia certificate, but I have to first apply for my NIE in Spain, cant get it outside, and then the residencia. You do however have to show your income statements, how you going to sustain yourself etc...this is a tedious process. Apart from staying long term I am not to sure of any other ways as this was the only option the embasy made me aware of.
Visa etc...you can manage from Canada, unfortunately registering with the town hall and obtaining a NIE has to be done inside Spain. What I am doing is all the paperwork that I can do outside, then upon my 90 day visa manage what need be within Spain, a good tip as I am sure many will mention is get yourself a reputable Gestoria? Hope the spelling is right... that will make your life all the simpler

Thank you Jean Pierre!
The Embassy was very straight forward with me, no long term visa unless my daughter gets registered with a school, all the other questions were answered with "I don't know", she did not make me aware of any other options. When commented on other non EU citizens living in Spain longer than 90 days, she replied that they were all illegal and can not obtain a visa within Spain. So much for help from the Embassy
What papers are you working on outside of Spain?
Do you have any kids?
Do you or anyone else know if a non EU child can get registered and go to school without a residencia status? Once registered and going to school then could I apply for the residencia?...does it work that way
I suppose a Gestoria should be local and specializing in immigration, right?
Anyone worked with a Gestoria in Andalucia, near or in Malaga?
Thank you for the replies!!!

Actually all children illegal or not are intitled to free education in Spain. You might be able to sort out paperwork after?? You can add yourself to the censor (only passport and proof of address needed) and a child can attend school.
Ps. I find the education here very good

Originally Posted by mimosa

Actually all children illegal or not are intitled to free education in Spain. You might be able to sort out paperwork after?? You can add yourself to the censor (only passport and proof of address needed) and a child can attend school.
Ps. I find the education here very good

Thank you Mimosa, I thought about it too just wished could be done prior to the departure. Having to go back home to get extra documentation would be forbidingly expensive at $2000 a pop
I don't know how the education is in UK but just wait till you see it in Canada especially in rural areas
My daughter is home schooling this and next year, and at 10 she is still quite flexible and adaptable therefore learning a new language and studying in one of the most beautiful countries would be a great educational opportunity.
I am looking for any helpful information.