TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)

What is the TIE?

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is a credit card-sized identity document issued to non-EU nationals who are legally residing in Spain. It's your physical proof of residency status - the document you'll use daily to prove you're allowed to be here.

Think of the TIE as your Spanish ID card. While Spanish citizens carry a DNI and EU citizens get a green paper certificate, non-EU residents get the TIE. It contains your photo, NIE number, residency type, and validity dates.

What the TIE is used for

• Identity verification - The primary ID document for non-EU residents
• Travel within Schengen - Some countries accept it in lieu of visa
• Employment - Employers verify work authorization via TIE
• Banking - Required for account opening and major transactions
• Healthcare - Accessing public health services
• Driving - Getting/renewing Spanish driving license
• Official procedures - Most government interactions require it
• Contracts - Leases, phone plans, utilities

TIE validity periods

Your TIE validity depends on your residency type:

Who Needs a TIE?

Not everyone in Spain needs a TIE. Here's the breakdown:

You NEED a TIE if you are:

• Non-EU national with a residency visa (work, family, student, DNV, etc.)
• Non-EU national with long-term EU residency from another EU country
• UK citizen who moved after Brexit (December 31, 2020)
• Family member of EU citizen (non-EU spouse, child, etc.)
• Non-EU national with any Spanish residency authorization

You DON'T need a TIE if you are:

• EU/EEA/Swiss citizen - You get the green paper certificate instead
• Tourist - Short stays don't require registration
• Non-resident with just an NIE - NIE certificate is sufficient
• UK citizen who registered before Brexit deadline - You should already have a TIE or the Brexit-era green certificate

Special case: Family members of EU citizens

If you're a non-EU national married to an EU citizen exercising treaty rights in Spain, you're entitled to a "Tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión" - a specific type of TIE. The process and documents differ slightly from standard TIE applications.

Initial TIE Application (After Arriving with Visa)

You've just arrived in Spain with your visa. Here's what happens next:

The two-appointment process

Getting your initial TIE requires two separate appointments:

1. First appointment: Document submission

   You submit all documents and pay fees. The office verifies everything and starts processing.

2. Second appointment: Fingerprinting (toma de huellas)

   Once approved, you return to provide fingerprints and a photo. Your TIE is then produced.

Step-by-step initial TIE process

1. Register your address (Padrón)

   Before applying for TIE, register at your local town hall. You'll need the padrón certificate.

2. Book your first appointment

   Use the cita previa system - select your province and "POLICIA-EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO"

3. Gather documents

   See the documents section below for the complete list

4. Pay the fee

   Pay Tasa 790-012 (€16.08) at any bank before your appointment

5. Attend first appointment

   Submit all documents. They'll verify and give you a receipt (resguardo)

6. Wait for fingerprint appointment

   You'll receive notification (usually by mail or SMS) when to return

7. Attend fingerprinting

   Provide fingerprints and photo. The TIE is produced after this.

8. Collect your TIE

   Some offices mail it; others require pickup. Usually 2-4 weeks after fingerprinting.

While waiting for your TIE

Between applying and receiving your TIE, you'll have a resguardo (receipt) proving you've applied. This document, together with your passport and visa, proves your legal status. You can:

• Work (if your visa authorizes it)
• Travel within Spain
• Open bank accounts (most banks accept the resguardo)
• Access healthcare

TIE Renewal

Your TIE expires. Now what? Renewal requirements depend on your residency type and whether your situation has changed.

When to apply for renewal

You can apply for renewal during the 60-day window before your TIE expires. You can also apply up to 90 days after expiration without penalty (though working with an expired TIE can cause employer issues).

Types of renewal

Your renewal path depends on your situation:

• Simple renewal (same status)

  You're renewing the same type of residency. Most straightforward process.

• Modification (cambio de situación)

  Changing residency type (e.g., student to work, work to long-term). Additional requirements apply.

• Long-term residency (larga duración)

  After 5 years of legal residency, you can apply for permanent resident status.

Renewal process

1. Check your eligibility

   Ensure you haven't exceeded absence limits and meet continued requirements

2. Book appointment

   Select "POLICIA-EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO" in cita previa

3. Gather documents

   Updated versions of original application documents plus proof of continued activity

4. Pay fees

   Tasa 790-012 for the card, plus Tasa 790-052 for renewal processing

5. Submit and wait

   You'll receive a resguardo that extends your legal status while processing

Required Documents

Initial TIE application

TIE renewal documents

For renewal, you need everything above plus:

Visa-specific additional documents

Depending on your visa type, you may need additional documents:

• Student visa: Enrollment certificate, academic progress proof
• Work visa: Current employment contract, social security registration
• Digital Nomad Visa: Proof of remote work continuation, income evidence
• Family reunification: Family relationship documents, sponsor's valid TIE
• Self-employed: Autónomo registration, tax returns, business activity proof

The Appointment Process (Cita Previa)

TIE appointments use the same cita previa system as NIE, but the procedure selection is different.

Booking your appointment

1. Go to sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/
2. Select your province
3. Choose: "POLICIA-EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO"
4. Enter your details (NIE if you have one, passport number)
5. Select available date and time
6. Download and print confirmation

Appointment availability tips

TIE appointments are often harder to find than NIE appointments. Strategies that work:

• Check at release times - Many provinces release new slots around midnight or early morning
• Try different offices - Large cities have multiple locations
• Consider province-hopping - You can apply in neighboring provinces
• Refresh repeatedly - Slots appear and disappear quickly
• Use monitoring services - Some gestorías offer appointment alerts

At your appointment

Arrive 15 minutes early. The process typically takes 30-60 minutes:

1. Check in and show your cita previa confirmation
2. Wait to be called
3. Present all documents (originals and copies)
4. Officer reviews and verifies
5. Receive resguardo (receipt) confirming submission
6. Get information about fingerprinting appointment

Fingerprinting Appointment (Toma de Huellas)

After your documents are approved, you'll need a second appointment for fingerprinting. This is when your actual TIE card is created.

How fingerprinting works

1. Notification

   You'll receive a notification (letter, SMS, or email depending on province) with your fingerprint appointment date, or instructions to book it yourself

2. Attend appointment

   Bring your resguardo, passport, and passport photos

3. Fingerprints taken

   Electronic fingerprint capture of all fingers

4. Photo capture

   Some offices take a digital photo; others use the ones you brought

5. Collection information

   You'll be told when and where to collect your TIE (usually 2-4 weeks)

Collecting your TIE

After fingerprinting, your TIE is produced and either mailed to you or made available for pickup. Collection typically requires:

• Original passport
• Fingerprint appointment resguardo
• Photo ID (if someone else is collecting on your behalf, they need authorization)

Costs and Timeline

Fees

Timeline

Reality check: These timelines are estimates. Madrid and Barcelona often have longer waits. Smaller cities may be faster. Summer months (July-August) see slower processing due to reduced staffing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Missing the 30-day deadline

After arriving with your visa, you have 30 days to apply for your TIE. Miss this, and you'll face questions and potential complications.

2. Wrong appointment type

Selecting the wrong procedure in cita previa means wasted time. For TIE, you want "EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO."

3. Incomplete documents

Missing one document can result in rejection. Double-check everything before your appointment. Bring extras.

4. Expired padrón

The padrón certificate has a short validity (typically 3 months). Don't get one too early.

5. Wrong photo format

Spanish passport photos (32x26mm, white background) differ from other countries. Use a local photo shop that knows the requirements.

6. Not paying fees in advance

Both Tasa forms must be paid at a bank before your appointment. You cannot pay at the police station.

7. Traveling during processing

Leaving Spain while your TIE is processing - especially outside Schengen - can cause re-entry problems. Check with extranjería first.

8. Letting the old TIE expire completely

Apply within the 60-day window before expiration. After 90 days past expiration, you may face serious complications.

After You Get Your TIE

Immediate steps

1. Verify all information - Check name spelling, dates, authorization type
2. Make copies - Scan front and back, store digitally
3. Note expiration date - Set calendar reminder for renewal (60+ days before)
4. Update employer/bank - Provide new TIE details

If there are errors

Mistakes on TIE cards happen. If your name is misspelled or dates are wrong:

1. Report immediately to the issuing office
2. Do not sign for a card with errors (if collecting in person)
3. Request correction - this should be free if it's their error

Lost or stolen TIE

If your TIE is lost or stolen:

1. File a police report (denuncia) immediately
2. Book appointment for duplicate (duplicado)
3. Pay the fee again (unfortunately)
4. Provide police report and passport at appointment

TIE vs Other Documents

Understanding how the TIE relates to other Spanish immigration documents:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel outside Spain while waiting for my TIE?

Within Schengen, yes - bring your resguardo and passport. Outside Schengen is riskier, especially if your visa was single-entry. Consult extranjería before leaving.

What if I can't find an appointment?

Keep trying the online system multiple times daily. Consider other provinces. Some gestorías offer monitoring services. As a last resort, go to extranjería in person to request an emergency appointment (cite the 30-day deadline if applicable).

Can I work with just the resguardo?

Yes, if your underlying authorization permits work. The resguardo proves your application is pending and your status is legal.

My TIE is expiring but I can't get an appointment - what do I do?

Apply online or by mail if available in your province. Go in person to request emergency processing. Your status remains valid while renewal is pending, even past expiration.

How do I check my application status?

Use the Sede Electrónica with your NIE and registration number from the resguardo. Status updates are often delayed, so don't panic if it seems stuck.

What if my employer needs proof now but my TIE isn't ready?

Provide your resguardo plus a copy of your passport and visa. Most employers understand the process. If they insist on the physical card, explain the legal validity of the resguardo.

Can I apply for TIE if I entered on a tourist visa?

No. Tourist entry doesn't grant residency. You would need to return to your country and apply for a proper visa first, or qualify for an in-country status change (very limited circumstances).

Is the TIE biometric?

Yes. Modern TIE cards contain a chip with biometric data (fingerprints). This is why the fingerprinting appointment is required.

What's the difference between TIE and NIE?

The NIE is just a number - your foreigner identification number. The TIE is a physical card that contains your NIE along with your photo, residency type, and other information.

My TIE shows the wrong residency type - is this a problem?

Yes, potentially a big one. The residency type determines what you're authorized to do (work, etc.). Report errors immediately and request correction.