What it is and how to get proof of residence in Spain

Juliana Muñoz

Juliana Muñoz

Prueba de residencia España - Alice Biometrics

The proof of residence in Spain is an official document that’s essential for all kinds of procedures. It confirms your current address and contains your full name and date of issue.

But your “proof of residence” is more than just a piece of paper–it’s a symbol of your establishment in Spain. But how do you get the proof of residence? In this article we will tell you step-by-step how to obtain it, the list of accepted documents, how to present them and what the validity requirements are so that you don’t have any problems in the process.

Read on and find out how to obtain your proof of residence in Spain.

What’s the proof of residence for?

In our country, the proof of residence is a document issued by an entity such as a landline telephone company, an electricity company or a water provider, which clearly shows both your personal details and those of the address where you live.

This serves as official proof of where you live and where you usually live. This is important, for example, when you want to apply for social benefits or access certain public or private services, such as certain types of payment methods.

Accepted documents

You are probably wondering what documents are accepted as proof of residence, right? In most cases, utility bills, bank statements and official documents issued within the last three months can be used.

These should include your full name, current address and date of issue. And remember, it’s essential that the document is issued by a reliable source such as a financial institution, utility company, government agency or judicial authority.

If you have online invoices, you can send them in PDF format or as a screenshot with the URL visible. But make sure the scan or photo is straight, clear and unclipped. Finally, the document must be in the name of your ID.

Validity requirements

When it comes to the requirements for the validity of your proof of address, each step must be completed perfectly so that the relevant entity can easily verify that you actually reside where you say you do.

Here is a simple table to help you remember these crucial steps:

This data will then be checked automatically or manually by the relevant body so that the recipient can easily verify that you really reside where you say you do.

Please note that in the event of any discrepancy, your application may be rejected. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you meet all the requirements with the document you are uploading, so that you do not have any problems in the future.

An increasingly common alternative: biometric verification

Technology is constantly advancing, and the case of residence tests is no exception. Nowadays, it is increasingly common for agencies to use biometric verification. This means that if the applicant has a compatible device (such as a smartphone or tablet), they can register their fingerprint or simply use their face to verify their geographical location.

This is possible through GPS technology, which allows the agency to determine very precisely the exact location from where the request is being made. Moreover, having this option eliminates any possibility of fraud, as the agency is assured that the applicant is present and is the one who is actually making the request.

Biometric verification is a much more accurate, simple and secure way of verifying the applicant’s identity. This allows agencies to reduce fraud rates, minimise processing time and provide a better service to citizens.

Use biometric verification with Alice Biometrics

If you have a company where you still use proof of residence, Alice Biometrics wants to help you implement biometric verification as a secure and effective alternative.

Alice Biometrics offers a range of biometric-based security solutions that can help you automate processes, minimise risk and save time. These solutions are easy to implement, scalable and customisable to meet your specific needs.

If you would like to know more about how Alice Biometrics can help you improve your security, please contact us; we will be happy to advise you.

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