Hello - I am an American living with my wife in Brooklyn, NY. She is originally from Madrid. We are moving to Spain (Barcelona) in January’09. I am finding several things confusing about what it is I need to do to get myself legally ‘in the system’ there. I have a list of things I should do, from a book titled, ‘You and the Law in Spain’ but, even this is a little vague at times. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has recently gone through this process and would like to share their experience with me?

My understanding is, that since I am married to an EU-Citizen/Spanish Citizen, I have the right to work but need to apply for the residency permit in order to obtain a work permit. However, in order to obtain the Residency Permit there are several things I need to provide to the Spanish authorities, some of which are showing that I am working! Basically it seems you can’t have one without the other…

Of these things the most confusing is the following:

1. Proof of Financial means, this is stated but no details are given in to what they mean by financial means….
2. Medical Certificate (I would assume there are specific doctors working with the Spanish Government)
3. Medical Insurance - Book States ’ Your private medical coverage must be contracted with a company which has an office in Spain’
4. Book States - ‘Statement from your Spanish bank showing that your income is arriving from abroad and being deposited in Spain’

your comments are appreciated

These will help:
N.I.E. (EX14) / RESIDENCIA (EX16)

Application Forms and the
Regulations Governing EU citizens in Spain document.

http://extranjeros.mtas.es/

For forms - Click: Modelos de Solictudes

Or direct link
http://extranjeros.mtas.es/es/general/procedimientos_Solicitudes_index.html

For the Regulations document (from Home page)
Click UK flag & R?gimen de los ciudadanos Comunitarios en Espa?a

LEGAL STATUS OF NON-EU CITIZENS IN SPAIN

http://extranjeros.mtas.es/es/general/Folletos_informativos.html

R?gimen de ciudadanos Comunitarios en Espa?a

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Thank You - they were helpful.

We have decided to go directly to the Embassy here in NY. Because even in those documents there are contradictions, or at least inconsistencies. One makes it sound like I just show up with my wife and everything is straight forward. But another implies I need to have a medical and criminal background check, plus this unclear notion of financial independence.