TIE Card Spain

The TIE, also known as the foreigner’s identity card, is a biometric card for non-EU citizens resident in Spain. It is issued by Spanish immigration authorities or the national police.

It contains the foreigner’s identification number (NIE), a passport photograph of the holder, and immigration status. It is a personal identification document that must be presented upon request.

Children must also apply for their own TIE. A residency permit in Spain can be granted on a temporary or permanent basis.

The temporary physical permit can last five years or less, depending on the validity of your visa or legal authorisation. After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for a long-term residence permit and renew your TIE.

Page Contents

• What is the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)?
• Who Needs a TIE and When To Apply — Timelines & Deadlines
• Step-by-Step Pre-Application Checklist (Documents, Translations, Photos)
• The Appointment: What Happens (On-Site Procedure & Biometrics)
• Waiting Period & How To Check Card Status — Realistic Timelines and Common Delays
• Pickup/Collection of the Physical TIE — What You Need
• Renewals, Changes of Status, and Replacements (Loss, Theft, Damage)
• Special Categories — Family Members of EU Nationals and UK/Brexit Cases
• Fees, Payment Methods, and How To Correctly Fill Modelo 790 (Código 012)
• How the TIE Connects to Other Administrative Processes (Padrón, Social Security, Healthcare)
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

All third-country nationals in Spain legally staying for more than 6 months must obtain a TIE. It is not needed for short stays (less than six months).

Under the new immigration regulation (Royal Decree 1155/2024), foreigners whose visas or legal rights permit them to stay in Spain for more than six months must obtain a TIE within one month of arrival. You must apply in person at the immigration office or the national police documentation unit in the province where you were authorised to live.

The TIE card is valid for the period you are legally allowed to stay in Spain. The above statement means that your card will expire once you are no longer permitted to stay. The residency permit is the legal right that allows you to reside in Spain, while the TIE is the physical proof that the authorisation was granted.

To apply for a foreigner’s identity card, you must complete and sign the official registration form (EX-17). You must also gather all necessary supporting documents, including originals and photocopies. These documents include:

• A passport or any other travel document bearing the official entry stamp is required. In the absence of a mark or stamp, an entry declaration or a registration certificate can be submitted
• A recent coloured passport photograph with a white background
• An official authorisation document that permits you to reside in Spain, such as an authorisation for cross-border workers
• Proof that you have paid the stipulated fees, such as a receipt
• If applicable, you should also provide proof of your registration with Social Security

Our expert team will ensure that you gather all necessary documents for a successful outcome.

To apply for a TIE, you must first book an appointment online through the Spanish government appointment website. Once booked, you will get a confirmation email. You have to show up in person on the day of your appointment. Minors must also go in person, accompanied by an authorised individual or legal representative. The appointment usually takes a few minutes.

Once you arrive, you will be asked to present all required documents. All original documents will be returned to you once they have been reviewed. Please ensure your documents are complete and accurate to avoid rescheduling. After your documents have been verified, your fingerprints or biometrics will be taken, and a temporary receipt known as a ‘resguardo’ will be issued. The resguardo will be needed to collect your TIE when it is ready.

You should wait at least three weeks after the appointment for your TIE card to be ready. In some provinces, you can verify with your LOTE (batch number). The LOTE number is written on the resguardo.

If applicable, you should compare it with the batch number frequently updated on your province of residence’s official site. If the LOTE tallies or the numbers are higher than yours, then your TIE is ready.

A backlog of applications received by the Spanish authorities could extend the waiting period. This is why you must confirm its readiness before going for pickup. You will receive help with checking the status of your TIE when you contact our experienced immigration lawyers.

You must pick up your TIE card in person once it’s ready, either at the police station or immigration office where it was processed.

Minors must be accompanied by their legal guardian or parent. Asylum seekers in Madrid must collect their card from the police department of the Asylum and Refugee Office.

Irrespective of where you are picking up your TIE, you must go with the following documents:

• Your resguardo or fingerprint receipt
• Your valid passport
• Your old TIE card. If you previously held a TIE card, please provide it, even if it’s old or expired

Once you have submitted the required documents, you will be issued your TIE.

It is advised to carry the TIE along with your passport for identification purposes, especially when crossing borders.

If your visa or residency authorisation is renewed, you must apply for a new foreigner’s identity card. The TIE will be valid for the same period as the renewed visa or residency authorisation. You must also apply for a new TIE if there is a change of legal status, for instance, switching from a student visa to a work visa or a change in work status.

If your card is missing, stolen, or damaged, you must report it and request a replacement. The validity of the new card will be the same as the old one. If you have a damaged or expired card, take it to your local police station and apply for a replacement. If you have applied for a new TIE, whether for renewal or duplication, and you have emergency travel, you can apply for return authorisation.

The return authorisation is valid for 90 days. It is a document given to foreigners whose TIE is being renewed, lost, or damaged, and who have requested a new card. Depending on your circumstances, to apply for a new TIE, you must submit the documents listed in the table below:

The application process is straightforward, but if you find it difficult to navigate, our expert team at Total Law can help.

To make payment for your TIE, you must fill out the Modelo 790 (Código 012) form online. You can find the form on the Spanish police website. You must provide your name, NIE, and other necessary details. Whether you are applying for a temporary TIE, renewing it, or making an application associated with the withdrawal agreement, there are columns available to click on. You must click on the one that is applicable to you.

If you place your mouse on the item applicable to you, the unit price will be displayed. You can pay in any Spanish bank, whether you have an account there or not. You can also send payment using the bank ATM or pay electronically. You should take your passport along with you as proof if you are paying at the bank.

The price ranges from €0.00 to €21.87 depending on your situation. The table below shows the price range:

Once payment has been made, a stamped receipt will be given to you. The machine will print it out if you pay with an ATM. It is advisable to keep your proof of payment because you will show it at the TIE appointment.

Getting a padrón certificate and a TIE are both necessary if you are legally authorised to stay in Spain for more than six months. Each municipal or town hall has its registration process.

Also, if you are applying for or renewing your TIE as a foreign national with a work visa, you will be required to provide evidence of Social Security registration. Your NIE, written on your TIE card, can be used to access essential services, like registering for social security.