Editing Barcelona (section)

== Moving to BCN. What do I need to do? ==
=== General information ===
Related CS group: [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=22824 Moving to Barcelona]

=== NIE ===
''Número de Identificación de Extranjero''

* '''Which forms are required to apply for the NIE?'''
** [http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ex_14.pdf ex_14.pdf]: NIE application
** [http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ex_16.pdf ex_16.pdf]: Application for Certificate of Registration as an EU resident or family member residence card of citizen of the Union

* '''What documents do you need to bring?'''
** Passport
** Empadronado (see further down).
*** (Stefan): They did check for my empadronado, but I've read on other websites, that this is not necessary to have any more. Can anyone confirm that?
* '''How does the process work?'''
** You have to go to Oficina de Extranjeros in Calle Balmes 192 with your forms and papers. Once you're inside they will quickly check if everything is correct and give you a tax-payment form with which you have to go to a bank close by, pay €10.-, get it stamped and signed and return to the police station. A few minutes later you hold your NIE in your hands. Very easy process now. It was way more complicated some time ago.

** Some comments on banks: some won't let you pay for the NIE tax unless you're customer at that specific bank. Some won't let you pay for the NIE tax at all (Banco Santander). Caixa Catalunya seems to be the bank that works best. However, due to the huge amount of people coming to pay for their NIE tax and generating long lines, they've decided to distribute it over their different branch offices in Barceloneta. Meaning, depending on which day you're going there you've to look for a sheet of paper hanging somewhere in the lobby, saying which branch will accept NIE-tax payments on that day. Then directly go to that branch office, instead of waiting 15 minutes in the line and then being told that you've to go to another office.

=== Seguridad Social ===

Getting a Security social number? Very easy !

Be sure to take with you the following documents to go to Seguridad Social offices:

* Original & copy of your passport
* Original & copy of your NIE

There are several offices in Barcelona were you can get the Security Social number. Check out this [http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ link] to see where your closest one is situated

=== Empadronamiento ===

Basically, to get empadronado is to register with the community where you live. It makes you an official member of the community and benefits both you and the community. The community, because they get funds based on how many people they have registered which goes into health-care, schools, security etc. It benefits you because you are now a member of the community (not to be confused with resident) and can enjoy benefits like your own doctor at the hospital, numerous discounts at leisure centers and other places, gives you the right to vote, put your kids in the local school etc. It is also needed for a variety of administrative procedures.

To get your empadronamiento you will need to go to the Ayuntamiento (city hall) or Junta Municipal de Distrito (neighborhood administrative office) and bring:
* '''The form required (which you will get once there)'''
* '''Your passport'''
* '''Proof of where you are living (your contract or if you share a flat bring the person who has signed the contract and is registered already with you.'''

It is a quick procedure and usually only takes a few minutes if there is not a line.
Interesting to know about the Empadronamiento is that it is '''STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL'''.

For those who don’t have their papers in order, they have nothing to fear from registering. It’s in the city’s best interest to have an accurate count of the number of people within their jurisdiction and they will NOT use this list to go after illegal immigrants or those who overstay their visas.

=== CatSalut ===

* '''What is CatSalut?''' Please have a look in [http://www10.gencat.cat/catsalut/eng/coneix.htm here]

* '''What do you need to get the CatSalut card?'''
The documents needed are the following:
** '''Passport'''
** '''Stamped NIE application form (Número NIE)'''
** '''Registering as a citizen at the local Town hall (Certificado de Empadronamiento)'''
** '''E121 (They will give it to you there)'''

=== Bank Account ===
* '''What do I need to open up a bank account?'''

Normally when you open a bank account you need some documents ready in order to have not to come back again:

* NIE
* Passport
* Eventually you might need:
** Seguridad Social
** Work contract/salary sheet
* It's always good to bring copies of the documents as well. Sometimes they might want to keep it, sometimes not.

* '''Which is the best bank to open an account?'''
There are many different banks, so every bank has its own procedure and can be better than another one.
Please have a look at the following banks and look carefully their internet sites:

* BBVA ( Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria):[http://www.bbva.es/]
* BSCH ( Banco Santander Central Hispano):[http://www.gruposantander.es/]
* La Caixa : [http://www.lacaixa.es/]
* Caixa Catalunya : [http://www.caixacatalunya.es/] (very friendly and they don't ask for a minimum amount) 
* Banesto : [http://www.banesto.es]

Some banks could be asking you to give them your salary paper because they are strict so be sure you start with a bank where they don't ask for it : La Caixa

=== Other Information ===
* '''Where can I make copies of my passport?'''

Normally it's not hard to find a shop where to make copies so you don't need anything more than walk some meters and you will always find an internet cafe' or some newspaper shop where you can ask to make a copy of your passport

* '''Where can I take passport photos?'''

There are 2 ways to take them:

* 1 - Going to a small kiosk under the metro station or outside where you can pay for the small photos 
* 2 - Going to a photo shop where you will be paying some more money and they will take you photos and cut for you in order to be used in the passport


=== Other links & information ===
* http://www.movingtobarcelona.com/