How to Get a TIE in Spain: Complete Guide for UK Citizens in 2025

If you're a British citizen moving to or already living in Spain, you'll need to get a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) – the Spanish foreigners' identity card that proves your legal residence. This guide walks you through exactly what you need to do, how long it takes, and what documents to prepare.

What is a TIE and Why You Need It

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is Spain's official residence card for non-EU nationals and British citizens post-Brexit. It's not the same as the NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero), which is your lifetime tax identification number. Instead, the TIE is a biometric ID card that contains your NIE and proves you're legally resident in Spain.

You need a TIE to:

• Prove legal residency – Required to access Spanish public services, open bank accounts, and sign contracts
• Travel within Schengen – Essential to avoid being flagged as an overstayer, especially with the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) launching in October 2025
• Access essential services – Healthcare, education, utilities, and local government services
• Exempt from border registration – Without it, you may need to register at the EU Entry/Exit System when crossing Schengen borders

Important for pre-2021 residents: If you were living in Spain before January 1, 2021, and have a green EU residency certificate, the British Embassy and Spanish government strongly recommend exchanging it for a TIE immediately. The green certificate is no longer accepted as proof of residency at Schengen borders under the new EES system.

Two Paths: Are You Already in Spain or Applying from the UK?

The process differs depending on your situation.

Path A: You're Applying from the UK (New Arrivals)

If you haven't arrived in Spain yet and need a visa to stay longer than 90 days, follow these steps:

1. Apply for a visa at a Spanish consulate in the UK
2. Receive visa approval and your passport back with a stamp
3. Arrive in Spain with your visa
4. Register on the municipal register (padrón)
5. Apply for your TIE

Path B: You're Already in Spain with a Green Certificate (Pre-2021 Residents)

If you were living in Spain before Brexit and have a green EU residency certificate, you can exchange it directly for a TIE without going through the visa process. Skip to the "Exchanging a Green Certificate for a TIE" section below.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your TIE as a New Arrival

Step 1: Apply for Your Visa (Do This BEFORE Arriving)

You must apply for a visa before arriving in Spain – you cannot apply once you're already here. There are several visa options available to UK citizens, depending on your circumstances:

• Digital Nomad Visa – If you work remotely for a non-Spanish company (€2,760/month minimum income)
• Work Visa – If you have a Spanish job offer
• Residence Visa – If you have sufficient income and healthcare insurance
• Student Visa – If you're enrolled in a Spanish education program
• Retirement Visa – If you're retired with stable income

To apply, contact the Spanish consulate in the UK that covers your region:

• London – Covers England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• Edinburgh – Covers Scotland
• Belfast – Covers Northern Ireland

Each consulate has an online appointment system. You'll submit your application documents (passport, proof of income, health insurance, criminal record certificate, completed forms) and pay a fee.

Timeline: Visa approval typically takes 1-2 weeks. Once approved, you'll receive your passport back with a visa stamp and your NIE number (which appears on the stamp).

Step 2: Register on the Municipal Register (Padrón)

Once you arrive in Spain with your visa, your next step is to register at your local town hall (ayuntamiento) to get on the municipal register, known as the padrón municipal.

Why is this mandatory?

• It's required before you can apply for a TIE
• It gives you legal proof of residence
• It's necessary to access public healthcare, enrol children in school, and open bank accounts

How to register:

1. Visit your local town hall (ayuntamiento) in your municipality
2. Go to the registration office (sometimes called "Registro Público" or "Padrón")
3. Fill out a registration form (hoja de solicitud de alta)
4. Provide proof of your address (rental contract, utility bill, or letter from your landlord)
5. Provide your passport and proof of your visa

Documents you'll need:

• Valid passport
• Visa stamp in your passport
• Proof of address at your Spanish residence (rental contract, lease, utility bill, or landlord letter)
• Completed registration form (provided by the town hall)

Timeline: Registration usually takes 1-2 weeks. You'll receive a padrón certificate (certificado de empadronamiento), which you'll need for your TIE application.

Pro tip: Some larger cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia) offer online padrón registration. Check your municipality's website to see if you can do this remotely.

Step 3: Book Your TIE Fingerprinting Appointment

With your padrón certificate in hand, you're ready to apply for your TIE. You'll need to book an appointment for fingerprinting at a police station (Policía Nacional) or immigration office.

Where to book:

Go to the official Spanish government appointment system: icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es

Steps:

1. Select your province from the dropdown
2. Under "Trámites Cuerpo Nacional de Policía" (National Police Procedures), select:
   • "Policía – Toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta)" (Police – Fingerprinting for card issuance)
3. Choose the police station closest to you
4. The system will assign you a date and time

Alternative access method: If you have a Spanish digital ID (Cl@ve PIN or Cl@ve Permanente), use it to access the booking system, which sometimes has better availability.

Important: Appointments fill up quickly, especially in major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Book as soon as you can, and check regularly for cancellations. Many applicants check the website daily, particularly early in the morning (7-9 AM).

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents for the Fingerprinting Appointment

Gather these documents before your appointment:

Document	Details
Passport	Original + photocopy of the data page
Visa approval letter or stamp	Original showing your visa and NIE
EX-17 form	Completed and signed (download from Spanish government website)
Padrón certificate	Original + copy, not older than 3 months
Passport-size photo	32×26 mm, colour, recent
Fee payment proof	Modelo 790 Código 012 (€12-20, paid in advance at a bank)

How to pay the fee:

1. Download the Modelo 790 Código 012 form from the Spanish government website
2. Take it to any Spanish bank (or some ATMs)
3. Pay €12-20 depending on your permit type
4. Get the payment receipt (resguardo) – bring this to your appointment

Step 5: Attend Your Fingerprinting Appointment

On your appointment date:

1. Arrive 10-15 minutes early with all documents
2. Your fingerprints will be taken (toma de datos biométricos)
3. Your documents will be scanned and submitted
4. You'll receive a resguardo (receipt) proving you've applied – keep this safe
5. You'll be told when to collect your card (usually 30-45 days)

Important notes:

• You must attend in person – no one can do this on your behalf
• Processing takes 30-45 days from your appointment (sometimes faster)
• Your resguardo acts as proof of legal residence while you wait for your physical card

Step 6: Collect Your TIE Card

After 30-45 days, your TIE card will be ready. You'll need to book another appointment to collect it:

1. Go back to icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es
2. Select your province and police station
3. Under "Trámites Cuerpo Nacional de Policía", select:
   • "Policía – Recogida de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero" (Police – TIE card collection)
4. Book your collection appointment

What to bring:

• Your resguardo receipt from the fingerprinting appointment
• Your passport
• That's it – the card will be ready

Important: Collection must be done in person. You cannot send someone else to collect it.

Exchanging Your Green Certificate for a TIE (Pre-2021 Residents)

If you were living in Spain before January 1, 2021, you likely have a green EU residency certificate. The British Embassy and Spanish government strongly recommend exchanging this for a TIE as soon as possible – especially before the EU Entry/Exit System launches in October 2025.

Why You Should Exchange Your Green Certificate Now

Under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES):

• Your green certificate will not be accepted as proof of residency at Schengen borders
• You could be wrongly flagged as an overstayer
• You may be denied entry to Spain or other EU countries
• Your healthcare eligibility and tax residency status could be questioned

How to Exchange Your Green Certificate

Step 1: Book your appointment

Go to icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es and select:

• Your province
• Under "Trámites Cuerpo Nacional de Policía", choose: "Policía – Toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta) Renovación de Tarjeta de Larga Duración y Duplicado" or the Brexit-specific option: "Policia-Toma de huellas - Tarjeta Asociada al Acuerdo de Retirada Ciudadanos Británicos"

Step 2: Prepare your documents

Document	Details
Passport	Original + photocopy of data page
Green certificate	Original + photocopy
EX-23 form	Completed and signed
Padrón certificate	Original + copy, not older than 3 months
Passport-size photo	32×26 mm, colour
Fee payment proof	Modelo 790 Código 012 (€12-20)

Step 3: Attend your fingerprinting appointment

Bring all documents and have your fingerprints taken. Your new TIE will have "Articulo 50 TUE" printed on it, proving your rights under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

Step 4: Collect your TIE

After 30-45 days, book a collection appointment and collect your card in person.

How Long Does the Entire Process Take?

Here's a realistic timeline for getting your TIE:

Stage	Timeline
Visa application	1-2 weeks
Padrón registration	1-2 weeks
Waiting for TIE appointment	2-8 weeks (varies by city)
TIE processing (fingerprinting to collection)	30-45 days
Total realistic timeline	2-4 months

Major cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia) often have longer waits for appointments. In less busy areas, you might get an appointment within 1-2 weeks.

Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

Problem: I can't get a TIE appointment

Solution:

• Check the booking system daily, especially early morning (7-9 AM) when cancellations appear
• Use a Cl@ve digital ID for potentially better availability
• Try contacting a gestor (private immigration agent) or English-speaking lawyer – they sometimes have access to more appointments
• Consider travelling to a less busy province if possible

Problem: My padrón certificate is expiring soon

Solution:

• You must use a padrón certificate issued within the last 3 months for your TIE appointment
• Get a fresh copy from your town hall before your appointment
• This can be done in person, by post, or online (in some municipalities)

Problem: I'm in a hurry and need my TIE quickly

Solution:

• Book your appointment as soon as possible
• There's no "expedited" process, but your card may be ready before the stated 30-45 days
• Your resguardo receipt serves as proof of legal residence while you wait
• For critical travel, consult with immigration services about an "Autorización de Regreso" if needed

Problem: My visa type wasn't on this list

Solution:

• Contact the Spanish consulate in the UK for visa information
• Common other visas include: family reunion visas, entrepreneurship visas, and special visas for non-lucrative residents
• The TIE process is the same regardless of visa type

What to Know About Your TIE

TIE Validity and Type

Your TIE's validity depends on your residency status:

• 5 years – If you have less than 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain (marked "Temporal")
• 10 years – If you have 5+ years of continuous legal residence (marked "Permanente")
• For Brexit Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries: The card shows "Articulo 50 TUE"

Your NIE Number

Your TIE contains your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero). This is:

• Assigned when you apply for your visa at the consulate
• Valid for life – even if you leave Spain or let your TIE expire
• Your Spanish tax identification number
• The same number appears on your TIE card

Renewing Your TIE

You must renew your TIE before it expires:

• Start the renewal process 60 days before expiry
• You can renew up to 90 days after expiry
• Use the same booking system and bring similar documents
• The process is identical to the initial application

Important 2025 Updates

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) – October 2025

The European Union launched the new Entry/Exit System in October 2025. This system:

• Requires a TIE for UK residents – Without one, you must register at EES and be subject to stricter border controls
• Won't accept green certificates – If you have a green certificate, exchange it for a TIE immediately
• Tracks your entries and exits – The biometric TIE is recognised; the old green certificate is not

Recommendation: If you have a green certificate, prioritise exchanging it for a TIE before travelling to avoid border delays.

Increased Appointment Availability via Cl@ve

The Spanish government has improved digital access via the Cl@ve system (Spanish digital ID). If you have one, you may get better appointment availability than through the regular website.

Final Checklist Before Your TIE Appointment

• ✅ Padrón registration completed
• ✅ Padrón certificate obtained (and less than 3 months old)
• ✅ Appointment booked for fingerprinting
• ✅ Fee paid and resguardo receipt obtained
• ✅ Passport valid and photocopied
• ✅ EX-17 or EX-23 form completed
• ✅ Passport-size photo (32×26 mm) obtained
• ✅ All original documents and copies organized

Questions to Ask Your Town Hall or Immigration Office

• What's the current waiting time for TIE appointments in my province?
• Can I register on the padrón online, or do I need to visit in person?
• Are there any additional documents my municipality requires beyond the standard list?
• How will I know when my TIE is ready for collection?
• Where exactly do I go to collect my card?

Final Thoughts

Getting your TIE is one of the most important steps in establishing legal residency in Spain. While the process involves several steps and can take 2-4 months, it's straightforward once you understand the requirements.

Key takeaway: Book your appointments early, gather your documents in advance, and follow each step carefully. Your padrón certificate and visa approval are the most critical documents – without them, you can't proceed.

If you're confused at any stage, don't hesitate to contact your local town hall, immigration office, or consulate. Many towns have English-speaking staff or can provide guidance. Alternatively, a gestor (private immigration agent) can handle some parts of the process, though you must attend appointments in person.

Good luck with your TIE application – welcome to Spain!