I know a lot of people here had to go through the process of getting a tarjeta de identidad (I�m not even sure what the document or process is called, the Spanish consulate gave me a single-entry residence visa and told me I needed to go to the police to get my formal residency papers when I got here). I went to the comisaria in Calle Madrazos and while they gave me the forms, they couldn�t answer any questions, and the phone line for information is always busy.

I saw signs saying that you had to be resident in Madrid to file your documents in Madrid, and the forms ask for your address. Problem is, I don�t have a flat yet.

Any of you guys know if it�s ok to not have a permanent address when filing the documents? And when you do file the documents, do they actually send you anything by mail, or verify the address? Or do they just ask you to come back on a certain date and pick up the tarjeta? I�m just worried that if I put in a temporary address like the hostal where I�m staying, and I move around a bit, then if the process entails mailing stuff, something might get lost then I�ll be in a mess.

Gracias.

The subject line mentions Tarjeta de Residencia but you mention Tarjeta de Identidad in the body of your post ... I'll assume you meant Residencia

They send you the notice that the tarjeta is ready and waiting for you - and telling you when your appointment is - to the address you give on the application.
The address also appears on the tarjeta itself.
So, something resembling a residencial mailing address would be called for - - one that you can depend on (thus, not a hostal).

By the way, I don't live in Madrid proper but in the Comunidad de Madrid (25 kms out from the center) and went to the Madrid office for my card processsing - so the statement that you must "live in Madrid" is... approximate.

On the other hand - - to get a NIE (Number of Identification of ForEigners/Extranjeros) you go to the police in your area and you do not need a permanemt address; just some kind of address (I used a friend's) and a reason for wanting a NIE, and 2 passport fotos.
In my case I went back 3 months later and picked up the paper with all the official stamps on it (I did not receive a "card" at all).

I went yesterday to renew my residencia. I have an NIE which I presume you have. The only reason I could see that they need an address is so they can send you the notification of when to go do the next stage of the process, or pick up your tarjeta.

Thanks. I actually don�t know what exactly I need to get- the Spanish consulate just told me to go the police when I got to Spain- that�s all! So I assume that what I need to get is a tarjeta de residencia. I don�t have an NIE- I guess that�s a separate process altogether. Do I need that to open a bank account, or to study?

Anyway, I just signed a lease on a flat so now I have a permanent address- so no more excuses to procrastinate on going to the dreaded comisaria!

Sunny:

You should read this thread HERE

Especially what Roland wrote. It's very concise, to the point, and acurate.

Even if it doesn't speak exactly to every detail of what you're looking for, it might help to read other's experiences, who've already gone through the residency experience.

Good luck.
Be Patient.
It's beaurocratic, and time consuming, but not impossible.

T

Sunny, as far as I know you need a NIE to get a residencia, that is the very first step, but is an easy one to do. Roland wrote very concisely about getting a Tarjeta Azul (the health system card) but, forgive me if I�m wrong, you do need the residencia before you can apply for anything else.

Glad you have finally got accommodation though!

Sunny, try looking into this web page. It shows the basic rules and regulations directly by the government office that runs the show: www.mir.es/extranje/preextra.htm

It's a pretty informative site. Oh, and yes, the address is important cause you will receive notification at that address to go on to the next steps.