TIE in Spain is an identification card for a resident alien, which certifies his identity in the country. The abbreviation stands for “Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero”.
What is TIE in Spain?
Often the official name is replaced by other unofficial ones. This often happens not only on the Russian Internet, Russian-language sites, groups and forums, but also on all sorts of Spanish resources. In any case, it is clear from the context that what is meant is the foreigner’s identification card.
The official abbreviation TIE may be replaced by synonyms such as “NIE”, “Tarjeta NIE”, “Residencia” or “Tarjeta de Residencia”. Because residence means “residence permit”, it is clear that we are talking about a document confirming the presence of a residence permit, or a residence permit card. As for the NIE, it should be understood that it is just a number (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), which is both a personal identification number and a tax number. The NIE must be indicated in the lower left corner of the TIE card.
Alegria provides assistance in obtaining NIE. We will prepare all the documents and accompany you to the police, where you will receive the completed document. More details about the service here:
TIE in Spain: where and how to issue a resident card
So, we’ve sorted out the names and abbreviations, now let’s talk about where and how a resident card is issued.
Current Spanish legislation requires that foreign citizens who plan to stay in Spain legally for more than six months in a row (with the exception of an annual residence permit) receive a resident card. Golden visa). A TIE in Spain is not issued if a foreign citizen enters for a shorter period (seasonal work lasting less than six months, business trip, short-term scientific projects, etc.).
TIE registration in Spain is handled by the police. You can apply for a resident card and get your fingerprints done if you have a positive decision from the migration service on the grant or extension of a residence permit (with the exception of a permanent residence permit – Residencia de larga duración, which does not require any decisions). Regardless of what type of residence was issued and where the documents were submitted (directly in Spain or through consular services), TIE is always issued by the police at the place of residence.
When registering with the police, you must comply with the established deadlines: when registering residence permit It is necessary to register through the consulate within a month from the moment of entry into the territory of Spain, when applying for or extending a residence permit through the Extranjería migration service – within a month from the moment of receiving official notification of a positive decision.
Permanent residence permit holders must choose a day to enroll no earlier than the expiration date of their TIE card.
How to register with the police for a TIE?
You can only register with the police for fingerprinting and a TIE card online at official website of the Administration. This can be done both from a computer and from a phone. An electronic certificate is not required for registration.
The province you must choose is the one in whose territory your place of residence is registered. As for the locality, there are no restrictions: if there are no free reception days in your hometown in the near future, you can try to catch an appointment in a neighboring one. In the “Trámites” field, you must select the line “Policia – Toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta) y renovación de tarjeta de larga duración.”
Appointments are always individual, and if resident cards are issued for several family members, you must obtain a separate appointment for each.
Documents for obtaining a TIE in Spain
On the appointed day you must have the following documents with you:
- Application in the prescribed form EX-17. Owners of investor residence permits submit an additional application, a link to the form is issued during the appointment process.
- A valid international passport, as well as copies of all its pages containing any entries or marks.
- Receipt for payment of the state fee, Form 790-012, marked “Ejemplar para la Administración.”
- A fresh color photograph on a white background, carné size.
- Original and copy of the certificate or certificate of registration at the place of residence (issue period – no earlier than three months).
- Document on registration with the social insurance authorities (only in case of initial residence with the right to work).
- Positive decision of the Extranjería migration service “Resolución favorable” (exception – renewal of a resident card if you have a permanent residence permit).
- If we are talking about a minor child, then his birth certificate or family book, as well as the identity card of the accompanying parent or guardian.
- Unique appointment number.
How and where to pay the state fee to obtain a TIE in Spain?
A link to pay the state fee is given at the last step of receiving an appointment. You can also download the receipt form on the police website by clicking on the link: https://sede.policia.gob.es:38089/Tasa790_012/
You can pay the fee online at some banks (for example, CaixaBank), through an ATM or at a bank branch. In the receipt itself, you must correctly select the type of service (initial residence, extension of temporary residence, permanent residence, etc.) – the amount of the fee will depend on this, which will be entered in the appropriate field automatically.
Validity of TIE in Spain
The police, having accepted the application, issues a temporary document to the resident foreigner, which is valid until the receipt of the plastic card. The card is issued within 2-4 weeks; You can pick it up at the same police station where the application was submitted, at the specified time (in some municipalities you need to get an appointment again), presenting a previously issued temporary document and a valid passport.
The validity period of the TIE resident card coincides with the validity period of the residence permit. The general regime for granting residence permits in Spain to foreigners who are not citizens of EU member states or family members of citizens of these countries assumes the following terms: an initial residence permit (residencia inicial) is issued for 1 year, then a first extension (primera renovación) for 2 years, then a second extension (segunda renovación) for another 2 years.
After 5 years of continuous legal residence in the country, a foreign citizen receives the right to obtain a permanent residence permit – Residencia de larga duración. This type of residence permit does not require renewal and application to the migration service, however, the TIE resident card requires renewal from the police once every 5 years according to the scheme described above.
The TIE resident card is an internal document valid throughout Spain. Initial residence with right to work may be issued with a territorial restriction – to work in the territory of the province where the documents were issued. After the first update, this restriction is lifted, and the owner receives the right not only to live, but also to work in any region of the country.
When traveling abroad, you must have two documents in hand: a valid TIE card and a valid passport. The absence of any document or its expiration date will serve as grounds for the airline to refuse to register the passenger for the flight.
