Do I Have to Renew My Green Resident Certificate?

The green coloured certificate (either A4 or credit card sized) does not have an expiry date and does not need to be renewed.

Some confusion arises from the rule that after five years of legal residency, you are considered as a permanent resident. If you have the A4 sized certificate you can keep this document or apply for a new one which will be card size and state that you are a ‘residente con caracter permanente’.

This can cause problems due to the numerous civil servants who have no idea of the law on this matter. Please read the information doc provided in the Residency Section of the Library or click below.

Right to Permanent Residency

Am I a Permanent Resident?

Re the ´permanent resident certificate´ the EU informs that ‘The document should be valid for 10 years (No mention of ten years validity in the Spanish government information on this). They only mention validity of ten years for non EU residents who are family of EU citizens) and should be renewed on application.

Non EU families of EU citizens of a member state. The non permanent residency certificate is valid for five years. therefore should be renewed.

The Right to Permanent Residency After Three Years

Important:

We have received many reports where staff at certain offices for foreigners have insisted on those apply for the permanent residence document, that they prove that they meet the requisites for the right to permanent residence. This is contrary to the Spanish regulations which state that those who have resided legally in Spain for five years should only need to provide the documents listed below:

Passport or valid ID and valid. If expired, copy of the renewal application.
document proving payment of the fee for issuing the certificate.
Proof of course by which the applicant seeks to access permanent residence, except in the case of those seeking access to it for having legally resided in Spain for a continuous 5 year period, which is not necessary to provide additional documentation as that circumstance it will be verified officially by the Aliens Office.

Once the fees paid, citizens of the Union a certificate of the right to permanent residence shall be issued.

The above applies to changing address on the document. We see not justification in the non permanent resident being asked for full documentation either for simply changing and address. It is the holders obligation to do so.
Note* Due to the UK’s pending intention to leave the European Union, we suggest that UK nationals who are permanent residents and do not have written on the residency certificates, to update for a duplicate.

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.