08 March 2011
Posted in
Property Info
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Some of the most frequent questions that we deal with for anyone coming to Tenerife to purchase Golf del Sur property, or properties in Amarilla Golf or even further afield, are related to NIE numbers, residencias and connecting utilities. So we'd like to publish here some useful information to help you get to grips with the bureaucracy of the many forms you'll need to deal with and to understand the Spanish system and how it can affect your property purchase ...
What is a NIE Number?
Numero Identificacion Extranjeros (known as NIE), roughly translated into English means Foreigner Identification Number.
Before you can purchase your Golf del Sur property or any other property in Tenerife, you will need to obtain this identification number, as anyone who is required to make payments to the Hacienda (Spanish tax office) must have an NIE number. To help you buy your property, your Estate Agent will help you obtain your NIE number which can be obtained from the main police station here in the south of Tenerife.
You will need to complete an NIE application form, pay the nominal tax due (at any Spanish bank) and take your original passport to the police station along with copies of your completed form, a photograph and your passport.
When you receive your NIE certificate with your personal number (your number will be in the format X-1234567-P), officially stamped, this then allows you to complete on your new Golf del Sur or Amarilla Golf property. Your NIE certificate is also essential for opening a bank account; changing the utility bills on your property into your own name; getting a job and buying a car etc.
RESIDENCIA (for European Union Citizens)
EU Citizens, who intend to stay in the Canary Islands for over three months, are required to apply for Residency (or Residencia).
A Residencia is issued in much the same way as the NIE certificate was when you were purchasing your property.
You are required to complete another form, similar to the one already completed for your NIE number, pay the appropriate tax at the bank and take the originals and copies along with your passport (and copy), passport photograph and ‘Certificado de Empadronamiento’ (which is proof of where you live and is obtained from your local town hall office) to the main police station.
When you receive your officially stamped Residencia certificate, this must be kept in a safe place. This certificate is valid for 5 years and is then renewable.
UTILITIES
When you have purchased your Amarilla Golf or Golf del Sur property, all utilities must then be changed into your name as quickly as possible to ensure that all bills are paid without breaks. The following offices must be informed:
- Your local Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) - to ensure that the annual rates (IBI) and the rubbish (basura) are charged to the correct person. There are specific forms required for this (901 and 075 respectively) that must be completed and presented to the town hall offices, along with copies of your NIE, Copia Simple (simple deeds of your property) and last paid bill obtained from previous owner.
- The relevant Water Company –Entemanser if your property is situated in Golf del Sur or Canaragua if you property is situated in Amarilla Golf. Again you must take copies of your NIE, Copia Simple, bank account details and a copy of the last paid bill to the relevant office to organise the change of title. There will be a transfer fee to be paid for this process.
- Electricity – Unelco. As with the water companies, all documentation must be taken to the Unelco Endesa offices. There will be a transfer fee charged to your bank account.
- Community Office. If your property is part of a Community, the community administrators will need all your details (as before) to be able to collect your community fees which are paid depending upon the community either monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly.
Article written by specialist property experts from Homes and Away with more than a decade's experience in Golf del Sur