The days of expats having to take an endless number of documents and photo-copies to the Foreigner´s Office in Spain could be numbered thanks to an overhaul of the whole process which should be completed by the New Year. Spain plans to introduce a single nationwide digital platform where foreigner´s can complete all their paperwork applications and enquiries.
According to government sources applicants will simply upload their documents straight to the digital platform. Although British residents will see have to go to the Foreigner´s Office for their TIE residence cards it is expected to reduce the number of visits substantially and make the whole process much easier.
Spain wants to reduce the delays and problems which it has experienced with its Foreigner´s Offices across the country. In Palma there is still a long waiting time for appointments for the TIE residence card with the whole process taking up to six months.
If you apply for residence documents, visas or working permits from outside Spain the various Spanish Consulates will send all relevant documents digitally to the authorities which should make the whole system much faster.
The Spanish authorities said this morning to watch this space for further details on the new system and its consequences.