Desperate Brits Charged Over The Odds For Residency Applications

As many are still scrambling to get their Spanish residency completed after the Brexit withdrawal, it has become apparent that third parties are taking advantage of some British people’s desperation.

As many are still scrambling to get their Spanish residency, TIE (Tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) completed after the Brexit withdrawal, it has become apparent that third parties are taking advantage of some British people’s desperation.

EWN have heard reports of many getting charged way over the odds for help and assistance with the numerous documents and paperwork required to apply for residency.

One EWN reader told us “I contacted a law firm in Valencia to enquire about how much it would cost me for them to assist me with getting my residency, I had tried to look through all of the information I needed and was a bit overwhelmed with getting my documents together. I arrived before the withdrawal agreement came into force on January 1 this year and had been told it wouldn’t cost much to have a gestor help me.

“The lawyer quoted me €1,500 (£1,302.57) for the help – which I thought was extortionate. I then went to my town hall for advice and they gave me a list of gestors in the area, I went to one of them who has sent my residency application and quoted me €120 (£104.21) for the service.

“I think it’s worrying that other firms are charging so much and preying on the fact people are so confused and stressed about applying for the residency.”

Another reader, Alastair, voiced his concerns after he trusted a third party to assist him with his application: “I have had my documents digitally submitted to the foreigner’s department for acceptance prior to my TIE application, all of which I should have done a long time ago but work has kept me out of Spain so have had a third party do this for me and just received a large bill for what I understand as scanning and submitting my documents.”

However, Inez said: “My husband paid €115 (£99.87) for his application including them making the appointment and attending on the day.”

Jane claims herself and her husband “paid €150 (£130.25) each for TIE residencia and an extra €55 (£47.76) each for NIE.”

Of course, there will be variants in the fees due to the documents the gestor may need to assist applicants with obtaining, however, such a huge difference in price does beg the question of whether some third parties may be taking advantage of Brits who are desperate to acquire their residency in Spain.

You can get free help via Age in Spain and Citizens Advice Bureau Spain.