20 words of the paperwork

Spanish Terms of the Paperwork, Explained

Trámite, justificante, resguardo, padrón, arraigo: the Spanish words of Valladolid’s offices and forms, each with a plain English meaning.

Acuerdo de Retirada: Spanish for the Withdrawal Agreement, which set the terms of Brexit and protects Britons resident in Spain before 2021.
Arraigo: Literally “roots”: a residence authorisation based on the ties you have built in Spain, decided by the Oficina de Extranjería.
Autorización de regreso: Return authorisation: the paper that lets a non-EU resident travel and come back while a card is renewed or replaced.
Brigada Provincial de Extranjería y Fronteras: Each province’s Policía Nacional brigade for foreigners and borders. In Valladolid it sits on C/ Gerona s/n.
Certificado de registro: The green certificate. Europeans (EU, EEA, Swiss) receive it on registering as residents of Spain; it shows the NIE and has no photo.
Cita previa: Booking ahead, online, before any visit to a foreigners’ office. In Valladolid both offices work this way, and the confirmation names the office.
Delegación del Gobierno: Represents the national government in an autonomous region. Castilla y León’s oversees the Oficina de Extranjería in Valladolid.
Empadronamiento: Being entered as an inhabitant on your municipality’s padrón. In Valladolid this happens at the Casa Consistorial; each town around keeps a padrón of its own.
Justificante: A proof or receipt. The justificante of a booking is its confirmation and reference; the justificante of a payment shows a fee is paid.
NIE: The number every foreigner with dealings in Spain receives, once, from the Policía Nacional; written out, Número de Identidad de Extranjero. The tax agency uses it too.
Oficina de Extranjería: Immigration office of the central State, attached to the Delegación del Gobierno, where permits to reside and to work are decided. Valladolid’s Sede 1: Calle Arzobispo José Delicado 7.
Prórroga: Extension. Students, for instance, ask for one while the current stay is still valid.
Régimen comunitario: What Spanish offices call the residence rules that apply to Europeans and their relatives. Valladolid’s police list it under C/ Gerona.
Resguardo: Proof that an application has been lodged. After the fingerprints, it is the slip that lets you collect the card.
Resolución: The administration’s decision, in writing. A favourable one on an authorisation is what you take to the fingerprint appointment.
Tasa: Fee charged by the State. Police procedures for foreigners are paid with the Modelo 790, código 012, ahead of the visit.
TIE: Spelt out, Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero: a photo card for non-European residents, showing the NIE, the type of residence and the expiry date.
Toma de huellas: Fingerprinting. At this appointment your prints are recorded and the TIE application begins.
Trámite: One administrative procedure, with its own form, fee and booking; the booking system shows them as a drop-down list.
Volante / certificado de empadronamiento: Two records of your padrón entry: a simple note, and a formal certificate. Ask the office that wants one which it needs.