HOW TO RENEW YOUR RESIDENCE PERMIT IN SPAIN

In order to continue residing in Spain legally, you must have a valid residence permit. Thus, if your card is about to expire, you can renew it.

In this article you will find what you must do to be able to renew your permit without problems.

TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

1. The vast majority of residence permits can be renewed online telematically with a digital certificate. If you do not have one, ExtranjeríaPro is at your disposal for this.
2. The requirements for the renewal of your residence permit will depend on the type of authorization of which you are the beneficiary.
3. In general, they are carried out 1 year after your permit has been issued, except in the case of the Golden visa, which is renewed from the second year.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

In this section we will list the general renewal requirements applicable to any permit you are enjoying and in later sections we will mention the specific requirements for each of them.

The general requirements are the following:

• Not having a criminal record in Spain.
• Not being a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland or the European Economic Area.
• Not having been banned from entering the country.
• Present photocopies of your valid passport that has been in force for at least 4 months. If your residence permit has expired, renew it before you start renewing your residence permit.
• You must be the holder of the residence permit you intend to renew and be within 60 days before its expiration or 90 days after.
• You must have health care in Spain, either by being registered with social security or having private insurance without waiting periods or copayments.
• If you have minor children in your care, they must be in school while they are in Spain.
• Fill out the official application form according to your residence.
• Pay the corresponding fees and rates, the amount of which will vary depending on your permit.
• Try not to be absent from Spain for long periods, as this can be a clear reason for denial.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

1. 1. RENEWING YOUR RESIDENCE AND EMPLOYMENT PERMIT

To renew your employment permit, you will first need to have a job and a valid job offer during the renewal period. However, receiving unemployment benefits or social assistance would also be acceptable.

Renewal validity: Unless it is a permanent residence, this renewal will be for 2 years.

There are three different scenarios that we need to consider:

1. Having worked for 6 months: In this case, it is crucial to prove that you have worked for at least 6 months during the year prior to renewal. If you are renewing a 2-year card, you will need to prove a total of 1 year of work activity (6 months per year).
2. Having worked for 3 months: Even if you have only worked for 3 months per year, renewal is still possible.

   However, it will be necessary to prove:

   • - That you have been registered as unemployed after your last contract.
   • - The reasons why you did not work in the company that offered you the initial job offer.
   • - At the time of renewal, you are working with social security registration with a salary equal to or greater than the minimum wage in Spain.
3. Not having worked: In exceptional circumstances, it is possible to renew, even if you have not worked. In this case, it is essential to meet the requirements to be able to be reunited with your spouse.

I want to renew my residency as an employee. What documents do I need?

• - Model Ex-03
• - Complete copy of your passport
• - If you have minors of school age in your care, a report from the educational center or competent authorities.
• - If you do not meet any of the requirements for renewal, you have the option of submitting an integration report issued by the authority of your autonomous community.
• - Documents according to the case:
  • o If you continue working in the place that allowed you to access the work permit, you do not need to provide anything.
  • o If you can prove that you have worked for a minimum of 3 months per year, you must provide a valid employment contract, a new contract or prove that the previous employment relationship was interrupted for reasons beyond your control and that you have continued actively seeking work (for example, registration with the SEPE).
  • o If you have been granted unemployment benefits, prove it with the resolution that agrees to its concession.
  • o If you are the beneficiary of an economic assistance benefit, provide the resolution that grants you said benefit.
  • o If the employment relationship was suspended or terminated due to being a victim of gender violence, proof of this.
  • o If you have worked for at least 9 months in a period of 12, or 18 months in a period of 24, prove that the relationship was terminated for reasons beyond your control and that you are actively seeking employment.
  • o If your spouse or partner has sufficient income to reunite you, prove the marital relationship and the financial means.

1. 2. RENEW MY SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND RESIDENCE PERMIT

To renew a self-employment and residence permit, you must continue to maintain the same work activity that gave rise to your residence in the first place, that is, continue working as a self-employed person.

Therefore, you must be up to date with your tax payments and have no debts with the Treasury or Social Security. This is achieved by submitting VAT, IRPF or Corporate Tax returns as self-employed worker obligations.

I am going to renew my self-employed permit, what should I do?

You must collect the documentation listed below:

• - Model Ex-07
• - Complete copy of your passport
• - If you have minors in your care of school age, a report from the educational center or competent authorities.
• - If you do not meet any of the requirements for renewal, you have the option of submitting an integration report issued by the authority of your autonomous community.
• - Documents according to the assumption:
  • o If you continue with the activity that gave rise to your permit, it is not necessary to prove nothing.
  • o If your spouse or partner has sufficient income to reunite you, prove the marital relationship and the financial means.
  • o If you have been granted protection for cessation of activity, prove that it was granted.

1. 3. RENEWING A WORK PERMIT AS A HIGHLY QUALIFIED WORKER

These are the same requirements that were necessary for your initial authorization:

1. Contract signed by the company or employer: The contract must guarantee your employability during the period of validity of the renewed card.
2. Minimum salary established: The salary established in the contract must be at least 1.5 times the average salary for the profession to be performed. For positions such as manager or other technicians, this can be around €40,000 or €50,000 per year.
3. Academic documentation: You must present documentation that demonstrates your academic training and the experience required for the job.
4. Social security registration: You must be registered with social security as an employee.
5. Financial solvency of the company: The company must be up to date with its payments to the Tax Agency and Social Security, and demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to maintain your employment during the renewal period.

In addition, if you have changed companies, you must provide the details of the new company, including tax identification (NIF, CIF, DNI), tax returns (IRPF, VAT, Corporate Tax) and the company's working history.

I am going to renew my permit as a highly qualified professional. What documents do I need?

For the renewal you will need:

• - Model EX-05
• - Complete copy of your passport
• - Copy of training to carry out the activity
• - If you have changed companies, documentation from this company that identifies it.
  • o If you are an individual entrepreneur, a copy of your DNI or NIE.
  • o If you are a legal person:
    • Copy of the company's NIF and articles of incorporation.
    • Copy that justifies the legal representation of the company.
    • Copy of the NIF or NIE or consent to verify the identity data of the legal representative.
    • Accreditation of financial solvency such as a VAT declaration or company income tax.
• - Copy of the signed employment contract.
• - Integration report from the Autonomous Community.

1. 4. I WANT TO RENEW MY FAMILY REUNIFICATION PERMIT

To renew a residence permit for family reunification, the requirements are identical to those of the initial application, focused on 3 key points:

1. Adequate housing: You must continue to have adequate housing so that all members who live together do so in decent conditions. If you have changed address, you will need to request a new habitability report from the competent Autonomous Community.
2. Sufficient financial means: The person seeking reunification must prove that they have sufficient financial means, equivalent to 100% of the IPREM. To prove this, they must present, at the time of renewal, a copy of the employment contract or the latest income tax return if they are employed, and if they are self-employed, the latest income tax return and proof of their professional activity. If you do not carry out any activity, you must present a bank certificate proving that you have the required amount of money.
3. Maintenance of the relationship analogous to the conjugal: You must continue to maintain the relationship analogous to the conjugal and you must prove it in the renewal process.

Documents to renew family reunification

• - Model EX-02 in duplicate, filled out and signed by the regrouped person.
• - Copy of the complete passport of the regrouper and the regrouped person.
• - If applicable, documentation proving the validity of the marriage or analogous relationship.
• - Documentation guaranteeing health care.
• - Certified documentation proving the financial means of the regrouper or regrouped, or who have a job:
  • o If you are employed, a copy of the contract and personal income tax return, if applicable.
  • o If you are self-employed, prove the activity you carry out and your latest personal income tax return.
  • o If you are not active, you must provide a bank certification of the amount available in your account, credit cards, among others.
• - If you have minors of school age in your care, a report from the educational center or competent authorities.
• - Prove that you have adequate housing
  • o Contract of sale, rental or title that enables you to do so.
  • o If you continue to live at the same address, prove the validity of the title.
  • o If you have changed your address, you must obtain a report issued by the competent body of the Autonomous Community of the person being reunited with. You may also justify this requirement by any means of proof in the event that the authorities have not issued the aforementioned report.
• - If you have not been able to prove any of the requirements, you must provide a report issued by the Autonomous Community that you have joined it.

1. 5. NON-LUCRATIVE RESIDENCE

To renew a non-lucrative residence permit, you must continue to meet the requirements established for the initial obtaining, which include:

1. Having resided in Spain: You must have resided in Spain for at least 6 months of the year and not have been outside the country for a continuous period of more than 6 months.
2. Renewing health insurance: It is necessary to renew health insurance every time the residence is renewed and present certificates of payment.
3. Demonstrating integration in Spain and registration: You must demonstrate that you have integrated into Spanish society, for example, by participating in cultural activities, attending Spanish courses, etc. In addition, it is necessary to be registered in Spain. Spain to renew residency.

Documents to renew non-profit residency:

• - Model EX-01.
• - Complete copy of passport.
• - Have financial means for the requested renewal period.
• - Prove medical insurance.
• - If you have minors in your care of school age, report from the educational center or competent authorities.
• - Positive report from the Autonomous Community of your place of residence.

1. 6. I AM GOING TO RENEW MY LONG-TERM RESIDENCY

To successfully renew, you must ensure that you meet two crucially important key requirements:

1. Not exceeding the maximum residence time outside the country: You cannot have stayed more than 30 months in total outside the EU during the 5-year validity of the card you wish to renew. If you anticipate being outside the EU for an extended period, you can always enter any EU country on time before completing 12 consecutive months outside to maintain the validity of your card.
2. No serious criminal record:The second requirement is the absence of a serious criminal record. Although it is recommended to avoid any type of criminal record, generally only serious crimes can prevent you from successfully renewing. Less serious sanctions usually have less impact on the renewal process, but it is essential to avoid committing any crimes in the country.

What documents do I need to renew my long-term residence?

• - Model EX-17.
• - Complete copy of passport.
• - Original and copy of expired card.
• - Color photographs.
• - Certificate of registration.

1. 7. I AM GOING TO RENEW MY COMMUNITY CARD

To renew your community card once the 5 years of validity have passed, the process is quite simple.

You will simply have to prove that the link with the European citizen (usually your spouse) is still valid, that you have not exceeded the time allowed outside Spain and complete the EX-19 form.

In exceptional cases, such as separation or divorce from the European citizen, you can still renew if you have lived with him for at least 3 years within the 5 initially granted with the card.

Documents I need to renew my community card

• - Model EX-19.
• - Complete copy of the passport.
• - 3 recent color photographs.
• - Documentation proving family ties, such as a marriage certificate.
• - Certificate of joint registration.
• - Proof of financial resources in the case of financial dependency.