Endless queues for foreigners

GETTING an appointment for an NIE or residence permit is becoming a big problem for foreigners in the Denia and Marina Alta area.

Only 180 appointments are given out per week – and only on Fridays – meaning those who need the vital paperwork are forced to queue on the street from around 5am. Local businesses complain they have foreign customers who wish to move here but are put off by the difficult process.

Others already living and working in the area reportedly have to pay people to queue as they cannot miss work. Local businesses are reportedly willing to pay for an appointment system to be set up to remove this obstacle in the future.