A TIE – a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero or Foreigner’s Identity card – is an identity card that acts as proof of your permission to reside in Spain. It contains your NIE, personal details, fingerprint and date the card (and your residency) expires. It will be your principal form of ID during your stay in Spain.
If you are a non-EU in Spain and as you may already know, the “TIE”(Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is an important residence document that not only confirms your right to stay in Spain during your period but also enables you to travel in and out of Spain and the Schengen area with ease.
You have 30 days to apply for the TIE once you arrive in Spain to apply for the TIE.
Legally, you must have the TIE to stay in Spain once your visa has expired. Consequently, if you plan on traveling around Europe once your visa expires, they will not allow you to re-enter Spain unless you have a a valid residency card.
You have 60 days prior to the expiration of your TIE and 90 days after it expires to start the renewal process.
You do not have to have a brand new card before those ninety days are up, you just have to show that you have been approved to continue living in Spain and that you have applied for a new card.
It takes 30 days for the card to be processed and made for you to pick up. When you go to your first appointment and turn in your paperwork they will give you a paper that you must bring back with you to pick up the card. On the paper it will have the earliest date you can pick up your TIE.
When applying for your TIE, you must provide proof of the date you arrived in Spain/the Schengen Area via an entrance stamp in your passport or on your visa. If you travel directly from outside the Schengen Area to Spain, get your passport/visa stamped when you pass through Spanish security.
If you do not travel directly from outside the Schengen Area to Spain – so travel to a different Schengen Area country and then to Spain – it’s a bit more complicated. In this case, you need to get your passport/visa stamped when you pass through security in the first Schengen Area country you arrive in and keep all evidence of onward travel to Spain. For example, if you fly from outside the Schengen Area into France and then travel to Spain by train, get your passport/visa stamped when you pass through French security and keep your train ticket from France to Spain. Take your passport/visa containing your French entrance stamp and your train ticket (from France to Spain) to your TIE appointment.
The appointment is personal, so a single appointment will not be accepted for different members of the family unit.
DOCUMENTS
First, get all your documents in place (though you may choose to make an appointment first before getting your documents together).
You will need to submit the following documents at your appointment:
- Passport (original and photocopies of the photo page, the visa stamp and the airport entry stamp)
- Proof of arrival date and one photocopy
- Completed and signed EX-17 FORM
- Fees for the TIE – You will have to pay a fee of €15.76 to process your application. In order to do so, you will have to complete the Tax payment form, number 790 (012) and select: “TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos”. You will then have to print it out and you can pay it at any ATM machine using the bar code. Make sure you take this form showing payment along to your appointment.
- Civil Registration Certificate (Empadronamiento). Issued in the last three months. Original and copy.
- Passport sized photo two (or three) . A recent color photograph of the applicant’s face, size 32×26 millimeters, with a plain white uniform background, taken from the front with the head completely uncovered and without dark glasses or any other clothing that may prevent or hinder the identification of the person. (The photograph must clearly show the oval of the face, including eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth and chin, and must be of high resolution and on good quality photographic paper).
- Confirmation of why you are in Spain. For example, if you are working it will be your contract or a letter from your employer, if you are studying it will be proof of university registration, and so forth.
- Carta de resolución. It may not immediately be obvious what the document list is talking about, but it’s a letter or printout showing the approval of your visa. Not to worry, it’s easy to get. Just go to this site, fill in your NIE number, the date you initially applied for your visas (your appointment date at the consulate), and your year of birth. You’ll be redirected to a page that reads “Información sobre el estado del expediente de extranjería.” It should include a lot of data about you, and the words “Resuelto – Favorable” (Result – Favorable) indicating that you were awarded a visa. Print two copies of this page.
Resolution granting the residence or stay permit issued by the office of the Government Delegation, in the cases in which it has been provided.
If this is not the first time you have been issued a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE), bring the previous one. Failing that, report loss or theft.
- Printed PDF appointment confirmation
- If the applicant is under 18, she must be accompanied by her documented legal representative (father, mother, or guardian)
- In the case of a family reunification card, the applicant must be accompanied by the family member who was already in Spain with her original card
- The documents that must be presented to prove the relationship with the minor are:
a) Original and valid identity documents, in any case.
b) Minor born in Spain. Family Book or birth certificate from the Civil Registry, or court ruling of guardianship.
c) Minor born abroad. Birth certificate or documents of guardianship of the minor translated (as necessary) and legalized, either with the Hague Apostille or through diplomatic channels.
d) To prove the power of attorney: Power of attorney issued in Spain. Power of attorney made outside of Spain, translated (as needed) and legalized, either with the Hague Apostille or through diplomatic channels.
If the minors are students with an SME visa, they must provide a favorable report from the Government Delegation and be accompanied only by the person authorized in said report.
In the case of the issuance of the TIE associated with cross-border workers, the concession resolution of the Government Delegation must be provided by them. Original and copy.
Remember that depending on your case and nationality, you might need other additional documents.
Finally, on the day of your appointment present yourself at the designated location with your documents listed above! Another recomendation is to make copies of all your documents and keeping them in a safe place. A civil servant will examine all your documents, once you’re there you will turn in all your documentation scan your fingerprints and give you a piece of paper stating a time frame in which you need to return to the office to collect your TIE, e.g. 40-45 days. You will be given the Resguardo which you will need to pick up your card. DO NOT LOSE IT! If you’re missing work or school and need a paper stating you were at your appointment, when you receive the Resguardo ask for a Justificante as well.
Unfortunately, your TIE will feature an expiration date determined by your right to reside in Spain. If circumstances change and you extend your residency, you will need to renew your TIE.