The TIE stands for Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero or foreigner identity card. It’s for non-EU citizens and proves you have the right to legally live in Spain.
The card features your photograph, your identity number for foreign nationals (NIE), as well as the type of permit you have been given.
To be eligible for a TIE card, you must have a visa authorisation to stay in Spain for a period of six months or longer.
After being granted your initial visa to come and live and in Spain you will have had to apply for your TIE card which be valid for the period specified when it was issued, most likely the same length as your visa.
For example, if you were issued a one-year digital nomad visa, then your TIE will also expire within one year.
When you apply for and are granted a visa extension, you will also have to apply to renew your TIE card to prove that you can continue living in Spain.
You may have also been issued with five-year TIE straight away if for example you are British and are living in Spain under the withdrawal agreement.
In order to be able to renew your TIE you need to meet the following criteria:
- Have no criminal records in Spain
- Not be a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area.
- You must not be prohibited from entering the country.
- Have a valid and passport
- You must have a residence permit
- Have either private medical insurance or be covered by social security
- If you have dependent children, they must be enrolled in school while they are in Spain.
- Not be outside of Spain for prolonged periods of absences
When should I renew my TIE?
You can apply to renew your card 30 days before it expires and up to 90 days after expiry.
Be aware though, if you need to show extra documents this could delay the process, so it’s best to do it in advance with plenty of time to spare. Having said that, some police stations will not let you renew them until after they have already expired, so you may not have a choice.
How do I renew my TIE card?
You can either submit your renewal application in person through an Oficina de Registro or Oficina de Extranjería (Foreigners’ Office), or online, but you will still need to go in person in order to get your finger prints taken, either way.
In person
If you do want to apply in person though, first you will need to make an appointment at your local foreigners’ office via the following link https://ssweb.seap.minhap.es/icpplus/citar?org=OIACR and selecting your region and city.
When it’s time for your appointment you will need to print out and fill in form EX-17. https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/410169/2156469/17-Formulario_TIE.pdf In section one you will fill out all your personal details. Section two should be left blank if you’re completing the form yourself.
Be aware, if
In section three, fill out the details of where you want your notifications sent to.
Then print your name again and complete section four by checking the box that says Renovación de Tarjeta.
Finally you will sign and date it at the end.
You will also need to bring supporting documents and photocopies of each, which we will explain in the next section. You will also have to pay the relevant fees associated with this process.
If you're British and you were resident in Spain before Brexit, it's important you don't use form EX-17 and download and complete form EX-23 instead. This means you will still be protected under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Online
If you have a digital certificate, you can renew your TIE online. If you don’t have one, find out how to get one with our handy guide.
Be aware that if you're British and using the EX-23, this can't be done online.
In all other cases:
Go to the following webpage https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/procedimientos/index/categoria/34
Click on 'MERCURIO – Renovación de Autorizaciones de Extranjería – Presentación Telemática' to enter the online portal.
The information on the next page tells you what processes you can do through the portal. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the screen and click the button that says
'Acceder al Procedimiento a solicitudes telemáticas de autorizaciones de extranjería' or Access the Procedure.
On the next page you see, simply click on Continuar or Continue.
If you are filling out the form yourself, click on Acceso Individual, and then Continuar Individual This will automatically bring up your digital certificate so you can officially be identified online.
Once it’s validated, click on Continuar presentación followed by 'Presentar renovación/Obtener resguardo renovación' or Submit renewal/Obtain a receipt of renewal.
Click on Aceptar (Accept) to bring you to the next page where you’ll fill out your personal details including NIE number, nationality, date of expiry of your current card and date of birth.
You will then check all your data is correct including the type of visa you have and click on Conforme.
The next page will bring up all the personal data the system has for you - complete any boxes that are empty or missing.
Next add your address where you want to be notified and then click on CONSIENTO que las comunicaciones y notificaciones se realicen por medios electrónicos to show that you agree for your details to be send electronically.
On the next screen click on Presentación de la solicitud de forma electrónica: 'PRESENTACIÓN ELECTRÓNICA' to show that you want to send it online.
A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm that you are legally in Spain. Check the box and click Aceptar.
Next you will need to upload all your supporting documents, which you can find below. It’s best if you put them all into a pdf, .doc or similar so you only have to upload one document, but you can do more than one if needed.
Once you have uploaded them all, click on Documentación completa or Documentation complete.
For the next step you will need to install the Autofirma tool on your computer to sign the form electronically. If you don’t have it you can download it here https://firmaelectronica.gob.es/Home/Descargas.html
Click on 'Firmar y Registrar' to sign your renewal application and send it all. Download a copy of it by clicking on ‘Descargar’.
Once you’ve sent it you can log on at a late date to see the status of your application here following website: https://dehu.redsara.es/.
If need be the authorities may ask you to submit extra documents. Simply click on 'Aportar documentos a expedientes' or Submit documents to an existing file.
What documents do I need to renew my TIE?
- Original and a photocopy of your passport
- Expired TIE
- Three recent colour passport photos
- Completed renewal form
- Renewed visa approval
- Tax form 790 to pay the fee
- Social security certificate
- Private medical insurance
- Empadronamiento certificate
Be aware that they may ask for extra documents depending on your situation. Some of these may change depending on if you’re going in person or submitting online too.
What happens if I need to travel outside of Spain before my TIE has been renewed?
If you need to leave the country while your TIE card is expired and you’re waiting for your new one you will need to apply for an Autorización de regreso or Return authorisation. Find out how to do that here.
Fingerprints
If you are asked to provide your fingerprints (toma de huellas) again to renew your TIE card, this guide explains the process.
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