3 or 6 months are you considered a resident in spain?

i'm so confused.

My boyfriend is coming out to live with me in Spain and he is highly confused as there are different opinions of how long you have before you have to become a resident, residencia.

We're both reading that some say you're considered a resident after a 3 month stay so should sign up

Some say you're considered a tax resident of spain after 3 months but not a resident until 6 months?

Can someone shed any light on this as tbh we dont want him signing up for residency until we know we're can live with eachother first otherwise signing up to residency/tax resident could be a huge waste of time he has to retrn to the uk.

Also could someone please explain the differencer between tax resident and proper full blown resident?

thanks.

We have lived in Spain for two years now.  We were told to (and did) take out Residencia after 3 months but could not become Tax Residents (ie. make an application under the UK /Spain dual taxation agreement) until we had been Resident in Spain for 6 months in one calendar year.  As we became Residents in the month of August we had to wait until the end of June of the following year before we met that requirement. 

Incidentally, once you start living in Spain, regardless of residency, you have to go along to your local town hall and apply for your "Padron" (Empadronamiento) which is usually free or costs about 1€ and which you are then supposed to carry with you at all times. This is supposed to be renewed annually.

Don't confuse the poor girl any more. You should not be signing on the padrón if you are not a resident, and there's no reason to carry it around with you - it does not constitute proof of ID.

Have a look at this (official) site and download the regulations for EU citizens from the link on the right hand side of the page.

thanks guys, helpful as ever!