From todays CostaBlancaNews

THE TREASURY is moving to embargo the bank accounts of EU citizens who are not residents in Spain, government officials have confirmed.

Foreigners who have opened accounts with either passports instead of NIE numbers or with NIE numbers without paperwork from the National Police declaring that they are not residents in Spain are being hit.

The situation came to light after an expat complained to CB News that her account had been emargoed while she was in the UK without her knowledge.

As a result and unbeknown to her the bank was no longer paying standing orders or making transfers.

A source at the Treasury department in Alicante explained that the Spanish government is following an EU directive introduced to crack down on tax evasion.

However the source added that they are not informing non-residents of the situation ‘because it would be impossible to do so’.

The source also stated that the Treasury is working ‘little by little’ and that all the accounts will not be embargoed in one go.

In order to have the embargo lifted clients are being asked to provide their banks with an NIE number and a certificate of non residence (un certificado de no residencia).

British citizens affected by the new regulations appear be to those who live in Spain for less than 180 days and who have not declared their ‘non residence’ with the National Police.

The initiative is not only affecing EU community residents – the government is using the legislation as a tool to clamp down on illegal immigrants.

Hundreds of Morrocans have been hit by the embargoes and thousands of non-resident workers from North Africa have been drawing money out of banks before their accounts are blocked.

In response to the information provided by CB News, the British Embassy in Madrid has advised British expats who are non residents to make sure they are registered as non residents with the National Police.

A spokesman at Orihuela town hall told CB News that certificates of non residence are available from the town hall building in Playa Flamenca.

People are asked to call between 09.00-11.00 from Monday to Friday to reserve an appointment.

Non residents all over the Costa Blanca are advised to contact their local town halls to find out where they should apply for their certificate of non residence.

Hi if they are non residents surely they will be back in their home country & not aware of the problem. What can they do if they are in UK for example

I don't quite understand this. We both pay non-resident charges to the bank every two years and we (as far as I know) have never been asked to provide a non-residencial certificate. We pay SUMA to the town hall too. So the bank and the town hall are aware we are non-resident and we also have an NIE so how does this affect us. We also have paid non-resident wealth tax every year so does this affect us?

Our Cam bank does notify us that each year we have to sign the certificate---no probs. Best to go speak or email your bank.

For us this year now running a business we are classified non residents 2007 & fiscal residents 2008---so in 2009 we have to give loads more paperwork-----part of living the dream I suppose.

To answer the question what can they do if you're in UK---they'll freeze your account---no probs if you've no direct debits, but massive problems otherwise.

I am pretty sure I receive a certificate toi sign from Caixa Galicia each year as well.

Oh my god ive just thought ......my telmicro payment

Come to think of it, we did get a letter to sign and take into the bank. Don't think it was headed up as a Certificate of Non-Residence though. It was just a letter to confirm we were non-residents.
That must have been it.

Looks like a trip to the solicitor and bancaja on monday then... cant remember what we used to open our account but we pay non-residents tax so we must appear on someones radar...but this is spain

I think they are now require all non residents to have the non resident certificate that is issued by the national police. I have had non resident accounts in Spain for several years, both Bankinter and La Caixa simply asked me to sign the certificate confirming non residence but ING Direct (cuenta naranja) required this certificate and also the non resident certificate from the police. I got the certificate no probs but had to go to Elche, the certificate lasts 2 years - when this expired ING froze my account and I then had to get another certificate from the police before my account was released. Can anyone confirm if there is anywhere in Torre that you can get this certificate or is it a trip to Elche/Alicante?