Update: 14 June
Because of the Corona virus, on 14 March 2020, the State of emergency declared in Spain.
Update: travel from Belgium (within the EU) will be possible from 15 June. According to an announcement by the Spanish government Spanish borders open to EU nationals without quarantine requirement from 21 June.
It is hopeful, however, that the phases will be applied and evaluated by autonomous region, without a fixed calendar. After all, the regions of Costa Blanca, Murcia, the Balearic Islands, the Canarias and Andalusia have not been hit as hard as, say, Madrid and Catalonia. Possibly the situation in these regions could evolve more quickly.
Based on our free corona advice line (corona@confianz.be), we have compiled a list of the most common questions.
1. What about buying or selling my Spanish property?
Update: We are again seeing a 'normalisation' of the day-to-day operation of notaries.
Unable to appear in person before the Spanish notary? Read the options here.
Confianz will soon and notify personally On the concrete impact of the state of emergency in Spain on your case.
2. NIE applications
The Spanish consulate in Brussels will reopen from 12 May. Existing appointments will be rescheduled. You will be contacted for this.
Mouth masks are mandatory inside the consulate. Forms must be completed in advance and may not be completed in the waiting room.
3. What about the terms of my purchase agreement?
If you need to visit the notary in Spain soon, we recommend two options.
- You change the deadline for execution of deed to, for example, end lockdown + 45 days.
- Either work with a notarised power of attorney with a Belgian notary. A Belgian notary who is proficient in the Spanish language can execute a Spanish-language power of attorney.
You can also take corona measures into account in new purchase agreements.
3. How do I open a Spanish bank account?
With some Spanish banks, such as Banco Sabadell for example, you can temporarily no longer open an account remotely. You will only be able to open a remote account via a notarial proxy to your counsel. This is to ensure the application of Spanish anti-money laundering legislation.
4. Can I still travel to my second residence?
For now, you will not be allowed to enter Spain to travel to your second residence. This will change from 22 June.
5. I am a Spanish resident. Can I still travel to Spain?
If you are a Spanish resident, you can return to your Spanish residence. You will need your Belgian identity card or travel pass along with your residencia (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión).
6. I am moving to Spain, but I am not yet a resident. Can I enter Spain?
If you are not yet a resident in Spain but have concrete plans to move, you may assume that you cannot enter Spain.
There is an exception for force majeure. However, you must prove the force majeure situation in writing. At present, it is not clear whether a planned move is considered a force majeure situation. However, the chances are slim.
If you are in a relocation situation, you can also contact the helpline of the autonomous region of your future place of residences.
In any case, it is recommended that you use the travel advice from the FPS Foreign Affairs follows. For now, it is best to stay in Belgium because of the strict lockdown and limited services in Spain.
7. What about pending immigration proceedings?
All appointments with the immigration office have been suspended or postponed. The same goes for ongoing procedures. New appointments are only for September.
8. I have a mortgage with a Spanish bank. Will I get payment extension?
If you are a Spanish resident, you may be eligible for a one-month interest-free stop/deferral for a mortgage on your family home. Thus, there are some conditions, such as a reduction in (family) income by at least 40%. You have time to apply within 15 days of the expiry of the emergency.
Non-residents are not eligible for the payment freeze. But it is recommended that you contact your Spanish bank to discuss your options.
9. I rent a property in Spain. Do I still have to pay rent?
If you rent from a public company or if you rent from an owner with more than 10 properties (excluding garages and storage rooms) or properties totalling 1,500m2, there are two options. Either you still pay only half the rent for 4 months. Or you agree on deferred payment.
An important condition is that you suffer a significant loss of income. In addition, the scheme only covers your family home. Second residences are not covered by the scheme.
Evictions are temporarily not allowed for tenants with significant loss of income.
