TIE: What is it, who needs it, and how to get it

If you are a non-European Union (non-EU) citizen and you move to Spain permanently, you will need a Foreigners' Identity Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjeros, or TIE). This is proof of your legal residence, and can be used as identification (ID), as it has your photo on it.

European Union (EU) citizens do not need a TIE. Instead, they have a 'green certificate', or Certificate of Registration. This cannot be used as ID, as it does not have a photograph. You can find out how to apply for this in our article What is a 'green certificate', who needs it, and how do I get one.

Non-EU citizens will need to apply for a TIE within one month of moving to Spain. If they have not applied, they may be considered as living in Spain illegally.

British nationals who lived permanently in Spain prior to Brexit (February 2021) will have been given an EU citizens' Certificate of Registration, or 'green certificate'. If it does not have an expiry date, it is still valid, even though the UK is no longer in the EU.

However, British nationals living in Spain may, if they wish, replace their 'green certificate' with a TIE. This is not obligatory, but many find it more convenient; as a TIE is valid as ID, it means they do not have to carry their passports everywhere with them, except for international travel.

British citizens living in Spain pre-Brexit and wishing to exchange their 'green certificate' for a TIE will need to follow the same process as a first-time applicant, but do not need a visa.

If you are a non-EU citizen and you plan to live in Spain for more than six months, you will need to have the relevant visa to allow you to be in the country.

What a TIE looks like, and what it's for

As your TIE is your official ID in Spain, you will need it for numerous transactions. These might include opening a bank account, obtaining healthcare cover, registering for paying taxes, or getting a job. Your TIE is a personal and non-transferable document but you can extend it to cover your children if they are under 18, or dependant due to disability. To do this, you must ask specifically when you apply for your card.

As well as your photograph and full name, your TIE includes your date of birth, nationality, and NIE number. Your NIE is your personal identification number, which you need for carrying out any transaction in Spain. You can find out how to obtain a NIE in our article What is a NIE, why do I need one, and how do I get one. Also, your fingerprints will be included on your TIE card. For this reason, you must apply for it in person. Your dependant children must attend with you, so they can give their fingerprints. Children aged under five do not need to provide their fingerprints.

How long a TIE is valid for

Your TIE states the type of authorisation you have been given to remain in Spain. This might be as a permanent resident, a student, an overseas worker on secondment, or similar. The TIE's expiry date will be the same date as that of your visa. If your residence situation changes, you will need to replace your TIE. This might be because you originally planned to be in Spain for a specific length of time, but have decided to live there permanently, for example.

Once you have authorisation to be a permanent resident in Spain, your TIE will not expire completely. You may have to renew it, though, so that the photograph remains up to date.

If your personal details change – such as your name or residential address – you must obtain an updated TIE. Also, you must replace your TIE if the card is stolen, lost, or becomes badly damaged.

Booking an appointment to apply for a TIE

You must book an appointment with the foreigners' office (Oficina de Extranjería) in your province of current residence. These offices are based at National Police stations (Comisarías). You need to attend your appointment in person. You cannot send a legal representative, because you will need to give your fingerprints during the transaction.

Appointments can be difficult to obtain, as demand is high. There is usually a long wait, so you should start trying to book yours as soon as possible. You may even need to do so before you arrive in Spain. Being unable to get an appointment is not considered a valid justification for failing to apply for a TIE within one month of arrival.

You should reserve your appointment online. The foreigners' office Cita Previa ('pre-booked appointment') page will allow you to book your date, time and location.

What documents do I need to apply for a TIE?

If you are applying for a TIE for the first time, you will need to present the following paperwork at your appointment:

• Your original passport, which must be valid (not expired)
• Proof of your pre-booked appointment
• A photograph of yourself (passport-sized and in a passport-approved format)
• A completed and signed Form EX-17
• Proof that you have paid the requisite fee (currently €16.08). This will be a copy of a bank receipt accompanying Form 790 Code 012
• You may need to show confirmation of your visa that allows you to remain in Spain. Details of it will already be on record, but we recommend you take a print-out or original document, if applicable, as a precaution.

Replacing an existing TIE

If you are replacing a damaged TIE, you should take the original card with you. If your card has become lost or stolen, you must report this to the police before your appointment. You will be given a copy of the police report, known as a denuncia. This must be presented at your TIE replacement appointment.

If your address has changed and you need to update your TIE, you should obtain a padrón certificate from your town hall. This document proves you are on the municipal census in your town. The padrón certificate must have been issued no more than three months before your TIE appointment.

If you need a new TIE because you have changed your name, you should show the official document confirming this. In some countries, people change their surname when they marry. If this is the case for you, you should also show your marriage certificate.

In all the above cases, you will need to present all the documents detailed in the above list.

When will I receive my TIE?

You should receive your TIE within an average of 45 days of your appointment. Your card is printed by the same government office that mints coins and stamps, so it is not issued instantly. The relevant authorities are permitted to take up to three calendar months to process your application. However, Normally, most people find that their TIE is ready for collection within 30-40 days.

Your TIE will not be sent by mail or courier; you will need to collect it in person. You will be contacted when your card is ready for you to pick up at the same foreigners' office. To collect it, you must show the receipt you were given after making your application. You should also show your passport as proof of your identity.

What happens if my TIE takes longer than 45 days?

If you want to check the progress of your TIE application after your appointment, you can call an information line or send a text message (SMS):

• Telephone (0034) 902 02 22 22. This number is free of charge and will give you automated information on the progress of your TIE.
• You can check the progress of your case (your expediente) using the 15-digit reference number. This can be found on the receipt supplied after presenting your application. Send an SMS to (0034) 600 12 43 77, which is free of charge. Your message should read 'EXPE', followed by a space, and then the reference number (número de expediente). Make sure the reference number you use is correct. If it is not, you will receive an 'error' message in reply.

Sometimes, people moving to Spain become confused over the different documents they need to live there. If you are not sure, you can find out more in our article What is the difference between Residencia, padrón, NIE and TIE.