How to get permanent residence card under Regimen Comunitario

[Unregistered]

Hi

I have a Regimen Comunitario (my wife is German) that expires in February 2019. I lived in Spain for 3 years but returned to the USA because of the health of my mother. I want to return to Spain in the future to live full time so I don't want my card to expire. Do i need to go to Spain to renew? Thanks

[Patricia]

Hello ,

You can file the renewal application online, via the sede electronica, that is the electronic registration system the Immigration Office offers for that end. However, you may have to travel to Spain to get the certificado de empadronamiento, that is one of the required documents. Once the application is approved, you will have to travel to Spain and formalize the fingerprint at the relevant Police Station.

Note that an absence of more 12 consecutive months can lead to the cancellation of your card. If the authorities see evidences of that, they may reject your application. You would have the option to appeal based on your personal circumstances, if that happened.

Please feel free to contact us should you require further information.

Regards,