TIE Card Spain (Foreigner Identity Card)
The Spanish Foreign Identity Card is known as the TIE card and is the document given to foreigners to show their legal residence status. It is normally one of the required documents if you will be staying in Spain for longer than six months.
To learn more about the TIE card and get help with your application, please contact Total Law at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or visit us online to find out about the services we offer.
What is a TIE Card in Spain?
The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) card is a credit card-sized document that bears your image and personal information.
Usually, it will bear the following information on the front:
- Your immigration status. This will show the visa you are on that gives you the right to be in Spain
- Validity dates
- Your date of birth
- Your nationality
- Your NIE number
Meanwhile, the back of the card usually displays the following:
- Your place of birth
- Your address in Spain
- The place and date of issue of your TIE
A TIE is needed for those with the right to be in Spain for longer than six months. However, it is not needed if you are a national of a European Union member country or from Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland or Iceland.
When you first arrive in Spain, you will need to get a temporary TIE. This is usually valid for five years. At the end of this residence period, you can apply for a permanent TIE card. Permanent TIE is valid for ten years.
What is an NIE Number?
Making a TIE card application will usually need you to have a NIE number. This is a unique personal foreign identification number, containing seven numbers and two letters, that is used on all documents Spain issues to you.
The NIE number is not given to you automatically and you will need to apply for one at your local Spanish Consulate or at the same time you make your TIE application.
There are some key differences between the TIE and NIE to be aware of, which are listed below:
- You get a NIE number at the start of the administrative procedures in Spain, whereas the TIE only comes in after you have a residence permit
- You will have the same NIE for life, whereas the TIE needs renewal
- The NIE number is not a physical document
- Should you break the law and lose the right to live in Spain, your TIE will be taken. However, you will still have the same NIE number should you want to return to the country
How to Get a TIE Card in Spain?
The TIE card application process has two stages: making your residence permit application and when you apply for the TIE card itself. These two stages are outlined below:
Submitting a Residence Application
Your residence permit application will be made at the immigration office in the province where you are living in Spain legally. This can be done in person by making an appointment online with the immigration office, online, or through a third party like Total Law.
Making the application requires the following documents:
- The EX20 application form
- A valid passport
- Any previous residence document
- Documentation showing you meet income and healthcare requirements
A successful residence document application requires you to meet stringent income requirements which will vary based on your circumstances.
Pensioners will need 9,000 euros each with a further 9,000 euros for every additional adult and half that for children. This amount will need to have been in your account for three months before you made the application.
Pensioners also usually need to obtain an S1 form from their home country’s social security or health department.
The requirements are different for those in employment. You need to show a contract and have a minimum income of 750 euros a month. The same requirement applies for self-employed people, but you will also need to provide the following additional forms:
- Modelo 036 or 037
- Modelo 130. In box 03 of the form, the minimum value is 750 euros multiplied by the number of months that you have been registered
Having compiled the documentation and made sure you fit the requirements, you can apply through the online portal.
TIE Card Application
As soon as the immigration office approves your residence application, you have one month to go to the national police station or your local immigration office and apply for your TIE card. It is often a good idea to apply for the TIE card earlier, as it can take time to get an appointment.
On your TIE Card appointment date, you will be asked to submit your documents and completed application form. Once you make your application, you will be given a confirmation document. This can be used in place of a TIE card in Spain until your application is accepted.
Required Documents, Processing Time and Application Fee
Overview
To apply for the TIE card, you need to submit the following documentation:
- EX23 application form
- The form ‘modelo 790, code 012.’ This form shows you have paid the application fee
- Two passport-style photographs. These will be used on your TIE card
- A valid passport
- Proof of enrolment or registration with Spanish Social Security
- Your padrón certificate
You can usually expect the application to take one month to process. This can take longer if the immigration office or nearest police station is experiencing a backlog or there are issues with your application. The maximum period taken to issue applicants with their card is usually thee months.
You must also pay the application fee. This is normally between 10 and 20 euros depending on where you make your application.
Applying for a Padrón Certificate
Most TIE applications will need a valid padrón certificate.
This is because all Spanish residents need to register for the census at their local town hall. This process is called empadronamiento and is quick and free.
To get a padrón certificate, you need to attend an appointment at your local town hall office and submit the following documentation:
- A valid passport
- Your NIE number
- Your residence permit
- A completed registration form
- A contract of sale or rental contract to show you are legally living in the property. This must be in Spanish or Catalan and signed within the last five years
- Proof of address. This is usually a recent utility bill in your name
Obligations for TIE in Spain
Having a TIE gives you the right to enjoy life in Spain for its full validity period. However, it also comes with administrative obligations.
It is your responsibility to keep your card in good condition, ensuring it is ready for inspection if asked by the authorities.
You also need to keep your TIE card up-to-date to make sure the details shown on it reflect your situation. You have one month to make the Spanish authorities aware of any changes to your family members, home address, work situation, and nationality.
Go to your nearest police station or immigration office to pass on these details. If you have changed your address, you will need to show a certificate of registration from the Town Hall that is no older than three months.
Failure to keep up with these responsibilities can have consequences. You can be fined under Organic Law 4/2000.
When Will I Not Need a TIE Card in Spain?
In some cases, a TIE is not needed even if you want to remain in the country for longer than six months.
This is usually if you have been registered for residency in Spain before 6 July 2020.
Instead, green card holders will be able to remain in Spain under the conditions of the Withdrawal Agreement introduced after BREXIT.
Despite this, many Green Card holders opt to exchange their Green Card for a TIE card.
The Spanish government recommends this as the TIE card is more durable and less likely to get damaged.
However, there is no deadline to make this exchange, so you can go through the TIE application process at your leisure.
How Can Total Law Help?
The TIE card in Spain is essential for anybody that wants to remain in the country for long-term residence. However, you must first successfully apply for it.
Total Law have years of experience helping people with Spanish visa and residence document applications including the TIE card. We can help you to compile documentation, complete the application form and even apply for a TIE card on your behalf. Moreover, we can liaise with the Spanish government if there are any issues with your application.
If you want help or more information on the TIE card application process, please get in touch with Total Law at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or visit us online.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
To continue to have legal residence in Spain, you need to renew your TIE card. You should get this done the month before it expires or within three months of its expiration.
You will need to submit much of the same documentation as with your original TIE application but also the following additional documentation:
- Social Security accreditation
- Official authorisation for renewal
Like all documents, sometimes people’s TIE cards get lost, for example, if their purse is stolen. Should this happen, you need to apply for a new one within one month of losing the card. The application process will be identical.
However, the new card will be valid until the same date as the old one, so you will need to maintain your previous renewal plans. You will also need to provide a report of the lost, stolen, or damaged card.
Any foreign national residing in Spain for longer than six months will need a TIE card, including children. Therefore, you need to make sure that your children have their own TIE in Spain.
Many people get confused by the difference between the previously mentioned NIE number and the NIF number, but there is an important distinction.
Your NIF is the number used for tax identification purposes and is held by both Spanish citizens and foreigners living and working in the country.
Although these numbers have different purposes, most foreigners’ NIFs will be the same as their NIEs.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.