RESIDENT INFORMATION GUIDE FOR U.S. CITIZENS RESIDING IN THE BARCELONA CONSULAR DISTRICT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword
U.S. Diplomatic & Consular Representation in Spain
What U.S. Consuls Can and Cannot Do
Consular Services (Fees / Registration of U.S. Citizens Residing Abroad / Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizens / Passport Services / Dual Citizenship / Theft, Lost & Found / Travel Information / Selective Service System / Voting in U.S. Elections / Notarial Services / Legalization of Documents and Apostilles / Marriages / Residing & Working in Spain / Tourist Visits / Students and Residents / Working in Spain / U.S. Police Records / U.S. Taxes )
U.S. Civic Organizations
List of Schools
Churches and Houses of Worship
Driving in Spain
Emergency Consular Services (Illness While in Spain / Welfare & Whereabouts / Destitutions and Repatriations / Death of U.S. Citizens / Legal Assistance / Arrests / Family Matters (Adoptions & Child Custody Disputes) / Federal Benefits & Veterans Administration Services)
U.S. and Local Holidays 2008
 

FOREWORD

This guide has been prepared for U.S. citizens who are considering either a brief visit or long-term residence in the Barcelona Consular District.

The Consulate General in Barcelona is the second oldest consular post in the U.S. Foreign Service. This representation was established on December 29, 1797, to facilitate commercial relations between the United States of America and Spain. More than two hundred years later our staff is still dedicated to serve the needs of U.S. citizens and promote U.S. interests.

The information contained herein is accurate as of the time of compilation. However, if you discover any discrepancies, or have suggestions regarding information you believe should be included, please let us know by emailing us at consularbarcel@state.gov. It is intended to provide you with an insight into everyday life in our consular district and to answer some frequently asked questions.

We hope that you will find it useful and wish you a pleasant sojourn in our consular district.

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UNITED STATES DIPLOMATIC & CONSULAR REPRESENTATIONS IN SPAIN

The Consulate General is located at
Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23,
08034 Barcelona
telephone - 93.280.2227
fax - 93.280.6175

We are responsible for providing consular services in Catalonia, Aragon, and the Balearic Islands.  We also provide all U.S. diplomatic and consular services for the Principality of Andorra.  The Consular Section is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. (walk-in service) and 15:00 p.m. to 17:00 p.m. (telephone inquiries), Monday through Friday, except on official U.S. and local holidays.

You can visit our website at http://www.embusa.es/barcelonaen.html.

For consular inquiries our e-mail is consularbarcel@state.gov.

The Consulate General has a branch office in Palma de Mallorca, as follows:

U.S. Consular Agency Palma de Mallorca
Edificio Reina Constanza, Porto Pi, 8, 9D
07015 -  Palma de Mallorca
Phone:  971.403.707
E-mail: pmagency@telefonica.net

The United States Embassy address is
Calle Serrano 75,
28006 Madrid
Tel.: 91.587.2200 and the switchboard is open from 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
internet: http://www.embusa.es.

Other U.S. Consular Agencies in Spain are

ConAgency Seville
Plaza Nueva 8-2nd, E-2
41001 Sevilla
Tel.: 954.218.751
E-mail: sevillacons@telefonica.net

ConAgency Valencia
Dr. Romagosa, 1, 2a
46002 Valencia
Tel.: 963.516.973
E-mail: valenciacons@telefonica.net

ConAgency Las Palmas
Edificio ARCA
C/ Los Martínez Escobar, 3, Oficina 7
35007 Las Palmas
Tel.: 92827-1259
E-mail: canariascons@telefonica.net

ConAgency Málaga
Edificio Lucía 1º-C
Avenida Juan Gómez "Juanito", 8
29640 Fuengirola, Málaga
Tel.: 95247-4891
E-mail: malagacons@telefonica.net

ConAgency A Coruña
Canton Grande, 6 - 8º-E
15003 A Coruña
Tel.: 981.213.233
E-mail: lacoruña@telefonica.net

The Consulate General makes every effort to be responsive to the needs of U.S. citizens residing abroad.  However, because of federal regulations, security considerations and the very limited size of the consular staff, see below a list of what U.S. Consuls can do or cannot do for you.

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WHAT U.S. CONSULS CAN AND CANNOT DO

What U.S. Consuls can do for you

• Assist you with repatriation, if you are destitute.

• Give a list of attorneys, doctors and others.

• Help you in case of death of relative in Spain.

• Help you to call your parents and them to communicate with you.

• Help to get money from home.

• Inform you concerning the handling of your lost or stolen passport.

• Issue, renew or replace you a passport.

• Notarize your documents and signature for use in the U.S.

• Prepare travel documents for resident aliens with lost Alien Registration Cards.

• Provide general information on income tax, Social Security and voting matters.

• Provide you with information on U.S. Nationality laws.

• Register the birth abroad of your U.S. citizen children.

• Register you as a U.S. citizen residing abroad.

• Visit you in jail to assure the protection of your civil and human rights.

What U.S. Consuls cannot do for you

• Act as interpreters/translators.

• Act as travel agents, make hotel or plane reservations for you.

• Act as your attorney or give legal advice.

• Cash you Social Security, Veterans Administration, Civil Service, personal checks or savings bonds.

• Fill out income tax forms or give you information on your personal income tax problems.

• Find employment for you.

• Furnish bail.

• Get you out of jail.

• Intervene in disputes with shops, landlords, hotel managers or others.

• Obtain visas, arrange residency or work permits or driver’s licenses.

• Pay bills, telephone charges or lend you money.

• Perform a marriage ceremony.

• Receive mail or packages for you.

• Renew or replace documents issued by state authorities.

• Safeguard wills or valuables or act as a mailbox for you.

• Search for missing luggage.

• Witness your marriage.

CONSULAR SERVICES

The primary responsibility of the Consular Section is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens who reside or are travelling in the Barcelona Consular district. Should questions arise while reading through this booklet, do not hesitate to contact the Consular Section for assistance.

For emergency assistance after hours, U.S. citizens may call (91) 587-2200 and ask to speak to the Duty Officer.  No documentary or passport services are available evenings, weekends or holidays. You may also contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US Department of State for assistance at 888-407-4747 (US toll free number) or at 317-472-2328 (from overseas).

Fees
Consular services which require fees (categories and amounts are set by the Department of State and are applied uniformly worldwide) may be paid in either U.S. dollars, euro, travelers checks or credit card. The Consulate General does not accept personal checks. Schedule of fees is posted at the Consular Section waiting room.  It is also available on line at www.travel.state.gov.

Registration of U.S. Citizens Residing Abroad
Registration at the Consulate makes your presence and whereabouts known, in case it is necessary for a Consular Officer to contact you in an emergency. Please register with us using the following registration link https://travelregistration.state.gov. If you prefer to register in person, you should bring your U.S. passport with you.

The Consular Section maintains files of registered U.S. citizens and uses these lists, among other things, to develop and maintain a warden system. The information in these files is protected by the Privacy Act and cannot be shared without your permission excep under life or death emergency situations.

Birth abroad of U.S. Citizens
The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should be reported as soon as possible to the nearest U.S. consular office for the purpose of establishing an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship at birth.

The official record is in the form of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America. This document is considered a basic United States citizenship document. An original document is furnished to the parent(s) at the time the registration is approved. A U.S. passport and a Social Security number can be requested at the same time.

A Consular Report of Birth can be prepared only at an U.S. consular office overseas while the child is under the age of 18.

Passport Services
The Consular Section provides information and services about how to renew or replace a U.S. passport. The Consular Section can process the new photo-digitized passport by transferring the issuance function to a domestic U.S. facility. It may take approximately seven days. U.S. citizens are encouraged to apply early when renewing expiring passports. In most cases, a full validity passport will be issued for the following lengths of time: Minor under 16 years of age – 5 year passports and 16 years of age and older – 10 year passport.

Passport forms and instructions can be downloaded from www.travel.state.gov. If you have any questions, please call the Passport Unit at 93-280.2227 Ext. 215/211/272., from 15:00 p.m. to 17:00.

Adult Passport Renewals
You can renew an adult’s passport either by mail or by coming in personally and filling in the form.

You may use passport renewal form DS-82, if your previous passport:

• Is a 10-year validity passport (issued after the age of 16).

• Was issued in the last 15 years.

• Was issued in the same name you currently use, or if your name was changed recently, you can present the proper documentation as proof of the name change (certified true copies of marriage documents or court order).

• Is not damaged.

• Is submitted with your application.

If you can answer “yes” to ALL the previous statements then you can use form DS-82 “Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail”.

To process the above renewal by mail, you will need to submit:

1. Passport application form DS-82 – Please write your contact telephone number, social security number, and do not forget to sign your application form.

2. Two 2”x2” (5x5cm) identical color photographs, full face looking forward, (no plastic photos accepted), taken within the last 6 months with a light, plain background. Applicants may not wear sunglasses, hats, hair bands or anything on their heads.

3. Send in your most recent passport. Upon issuance of your new passport, we will cancel your old passport in accordance with State Department regulations and return it to you.

4. A Giro Postal which you can buy at your nearest Spanish Post Office in the amount of €56.95.  The Giro should be sent to Consulate General mailing address.

5. Mail your completed application, passport and photos to the Passport Unit of the Consulate General, Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona.

Passports for children
As of July 2, 2001 all passports applications for children under 14 years of age must comply with the following requirements:

• Both parents must execute and sign the passport application, form DS-11, in person before the authorized consular personnel, at the Consulate General.

• The child must also be present at the time of the passport application.

• The child’s original birth certificate, showing the parents’ names, must be presented each time.

• Both parents will have to present valid photo identification documents (passport or Spanish DNI or resident card).

• Two 2”x2” (5x5cm) identical color photographs, full face looking forward, (no plastic photos accepted), taken within the last 6 months with a light, plain background. Applicants may not wear sunglasses, hats, hair bands or anything on their heads.

• If only one parent executes the application, that parent must provide documentary evidence that he/she:

• Has sole custody (custodia y patria potestad) of the child, or is the child’s legal guardian; or

• Has the notarized written consent, form DS-3053, of the other parents to the issuance of the passport; the written consent must be in English and must indicate the parent’s unequivocal consent to passport issuance. It can be executed before a U.S. or foreign notary. A copy of the absent parent’s photo identification must also be submitted. The Consulate General will accept this only when one of the parent is outside of Spain or is physically incapable of coming personally; or

• Is “loco parentis” and has the notarized written consent of both parents, or a parent with sole custody over the child, or of the child’s legal guardian, to the issuance of the passport.  Again the photo identification of a parent authorizing someone to apply in “loco parentis” must be submitted.

First Time Applicants
First time applicants (adults) must appear in person and present both photo identification and proof of U.S. citizenship.  You will need to fill out form DS-11 “Application for a U.S. Passport”. Additional evidence may be required depending on the circumstances of the original case. If the applicant was born in the U.S., he/she must present the passport used to depart the U.S. and to enter Spain, if not the same.

Lost or Stolen Passports
Those wishing to replace lost, stolen or damaged passports must appear in person and present both photo identification and proof of U.S. citizenship. You will need to fill out form DS-11 Application for a U.S. passport, and DS-64 Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport.

If you have reported the theft to the local police, please bring the police report (denuncia) when you come to apply for the replacement passport.

You will also need two 2”x2” 5x5cm) identical color photographs, full face looking forward, (no plastic photos accepted), taken within the last 6 months with a light, plain background. Applicants may not wear sunglasses, hats, hair bands or anything on their heads.

Emergency Passports
The Consulate General can issue temporary passports in emergency cases.  These passports are limited in validity and cannot be extended. You will need to exchange the limited-validity passport for a full-validity photo-digitized passport upon completion of your emergency travel, through passport facilities in the U.S. or U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.

The American Citizen Services Unit can normally issue emergency passports the same day, and you can apply during mornings, walk-in business hours at the Consulate (9:00 to 13:00). Unfortunately, emergency passports cannot be issued after-hours, on weekends or holidays.

The Consular Agencies in Spain are not authorized to issue Emergency passports, so additional time will be needed for processing a passport application if you apply at one of the six Consular Agencies in Spain outside of Madrid or Barcelona.

Fees:
 

First-time and replacement adult passports.	$97.00
First-time, renewal and replacement minors.	$82.00
Renewal adults.	$67.00

The passport fee can be paid cash in U.S. dollars, Euros or by credit card.  Personal checks cannot be accepted.

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Dual Citizenship
In the 1980’s, the Supreme Court ruled that U.S. citizenship is a constitutional right that cannot be taken away from a citizen who does not intend to relinquish it.

Therefore, such actions as naturalization in a foreign country, travel on a foreign passport, employment with a foreign government, and voting in a foreign election do not automatically jeopardize U.S. citizenship.

However, please note that all U.S. citizens, even dual nationals, must enter and depart the United States on U.S. passports.

The Consular Section does not provide information on Spanish naturalization laws or procedures. Interested individuals should inquire at the Registro Civil, Nationality Section, Duc de Medinaceli, 2, 08002 Barcelona, tel.: 93-412.0474 – Fax: 93-342.6171, web: www.justicia.es

More about dual nationality can be obtained at the Embassy’s website www.embusa.es

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Theft, Lost and Found
Spanish local authorities have a central "lost & found" service ("Troballes – Objetos Perdidos") located at calle Ciudad, number 9, Barcelona, Metro Jaime I (yellow line). It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Tel. 010.

All thefts should be reported to the police as soon as possible. The police will provide you with a copy of the police report ("denuncia"), which will be helpful and sometimes necessary in applying for replacement airline tickets, train passes, passports, travelers’ checks and in supporting insurance claims. Report the loss of credit cards, bank cash cards and travelers’ checks to the issuing company as soon as possible.

Travel Information
The Consulate General does not issue visas to the U.S. or entry permits for foreign countries. It is the responsibility of the traveler to obtain visas.

In the event that you will be traveling outside of Spain, it is advisable that you contact the consulate of the country you plan to visit concerning entry (visa) requirements well in advance. Should you need information about countries you are planning to visit, you may consult the Department of State’s Consular Affairs Bureau web page.

Selective Service System
Registration with the Selective Service System is a civil and legal responsibility. Men are required to register as soon as they reach age 18. Registration does not mean that you are joining the military. Individuals can register with the Selective Service System by completing the forms provided by the Consular Section or by using the Internet at http://www.sss.gov. 

Voting in U.S. Elections
Most U.S. citizens who reside abroad are eligible to vote in U.S. elections. Eligibility depends upon the laws and regulations of your legal state of residence. The absentee voting process is designed to permit U.S. citizens who will be away from their local polling places on election day to vote by mail. As such, this process entails that the absentee voter requests a ballot at least 60 days before the scheduled election date.

The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is a postage-free postcard printed and distributed by the federal government for absentee voters. The FPCA also enable one to register and apply for an absentee ballot at the same time. However, the extent and manner of the use of the FPCA is regulated by state law, and to a lesser extent, local procedures. For further assistance there is a toll free number 900-96.16.68 that can be called from Spain provided by the Federal Voting Assistance Program. Their website: http://www.fvap.gov
E-mail: vote@fvap.ncr.gov.

Notarial Services 
Notarial services are available to all U.S. passport holders and to foreign nationals for documents destined to be used in the United States. Notarial services are executed by Consular Officers and may include documents to be signed before them, statements made under oath, powers of attorney, affidavits and acknowledgements.

Those requesting notarial services must provide official photo identification, as well as any witnesses the document to be notarized calls for. Consular employees cannot act as witnesses. There is a fee for notarial services.

Legalization of documents and Apostilles
Both Spain and the U.S. are signatory to The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The purpose of the Convention was to abolish the requirement of diplomatic/consular legalization for public documents originating in one country for use in another. The Convention calls for the use of a single signature by a designated certifying official. Under the Convention, the standard certification is called the Apostille.

To obtain the Apostille for U.S. documents to be used in Spain, you should send the document to the Secretary of State of the U.S. State where the document was issued. For further information you may browse the following website: http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/

Marriages
U.S. Consular officers cannot perform marriage services. Should you wish to get married in Spain, please contact the Civil Registry or city hall of the place in which you are resident to ascertain the local marriage requirements.

Residing & Working in Spain
Since residence/work regulations change continually and their implementation may even vary slightly in practice from province to province, we suggest that you contact the Foreginer's Office for updates and specific information.

FOREIGNER'S OFFICE
Marques de L’Argentera, 4, Barcelona
Information service: 900.150.000 - 93/520.14.10
Web page: http://www.mir.es
Website of the Spanish Embassy/Consulates in the U.S.: http://www.spainemb.org

Tourist visits
U.S. citizens traveling on regular passports for tourism, business or transit purposes may enter Spain without a visa. They are allowed a cumulative stay of up to 90 days during any six-month period. The 90-day period begins on the date of entry stamped in the passport, and applies to all the Schengen group countries (currently Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden).

For immigration purposes, the Schengen group of countries is considered to have one common, external border (i.e., the 90-day does NOT restart when moving from one Schengen country to another). Extensions of the stay beyond the initial 90-day period are granted ONLY in exceptional circumstances.

Students and Residents
Those who wish to remain in Spain for more than 90-day period in order to study or to reside MUST obtain a visa from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. or in the country of last residence BEFORE coming to Spain and apply for a residency permit at the above mentioned Foreigner's Office.

The law establishes penalties for those staying illegally in the country. A foreigner found living illegally in Spain can be arrested and held for up to forty days while an expulsion order is being prepared, and then be expelled from Spain at the foreigner’s expense. 

Working in Spain
Those who intend to work in Spain MUST obtain a visa from the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. or in the country of last residence BEFORE coming to Spain and apply for a work permit at above mentioned Foreigner's Office.

Spanish authorities will issue a work permit ONLY if it is demonstrated that there is no one in Spain who can do the job for which the foreigner is applying. The company requesting the services of the foreigner MUST present the work permit applications.

As a general rule, U.S. companies operating in Spain employ Spanish and European Union nationals to the maximum extent possible. American companies generally employ very few U.S. citizens below the executive level. The Consulate General generally does not maintain information regarding employment opportunities in Spain. It is an exceptionally rare occurrence for a company to seek the Consulate’s help in finding an U.S. employee.

For information regarding overseas employment with the U.S. government agencies, inquire at the nearest office of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, or the personnel office of the specific agency in which a position is desired. For overseas jobs with the Department of State, please consult the following website: http://www.state.gov

U.S. Police Records
U.S. citizens are required to obtain a "Certificado de Antecedentes Penales" from the United States to be presented to the Spanish authorities, essentially for residency purposes. This document is generally known in the United States as “police record” or “criminal record” and should be obtained by contacting the office of the sheriff in the county of last residence in the U.S.

At the time of contacting the sheriff's office, please ask that the signature of the record be notarized in order to be legalized, a mandatory requirement for the criminal records to be accepted by the Spanish authorities. This legalization is done by having the document sealed with the Apostille of The Hague. To do so, the original document has to be sent/taken to authority competent to execute it for documents originating within their jurisdiction.

Visit the Hague Convention on Legalization of Foreign Public Documents page for information on who can put The Hague Legalization Convention "apostille" certificate on a document in the United States, depending on the state of issuance.

In some instances, the local sheriff's office requires that the applicant present a set of fingerprints before a police record can be issued. This office can provide American Citizens with an introduction letter for the Spanish police requesting that the fingerprints be taken.  This office charges a $30 fee for the letter.

U.S. Taxes
U.S. citizens must report their worldwide income on their Federal Income Tax Returns. Living outside the U.S. does not relieve a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident of the responsibility for filing tax returns. Renunciation of U.S. citizenship will not affect tax debt to the U.S. government.

We can provide with a list of U.S. tax practitioners in Spain and limited supply of federal tax forms. No state tax forms are provided. Both Federal and State forms are available on line.

The Consulate General has no IRS representative. We suggest that any questions concerning your individual or corporate income tax, be addressed to:

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
U.S. EMBASSY
2 Avenue Gabriel
75382 Paris Cecex 08
France

Phone assistance is available from 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 15:30.
Questions can be faxed 24 hours a day.
Phone: (33)-1-4312-2555
Fax: (33)-1-4312-4752
E-mail: irs.paris@irs.gov

Most IRS forms and publications are available at the Consulate and can also be downloaded from the internet on this page.

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