TIE card in Spain: the process step by step

By Expat Welcome team · Published 21 October 2026

Once your residence authorisation in Spain is granted, there is one more step before you have a physical card in your wallet: the TIE. The process involves a form, a fee, a fingerprint appointment and a second visit to collect the card. The order matters, and a missing paper can cost you weeks. This guide walks you through it step by step.

In short

• The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the identity card for non-EU nationals who are authorised to live or stay in Spain for more than six months.
• You generally have to apply within one month of entering Spain with your visa, or of your authorisation being granted or taking effect if you were already in Spain. For some work authorisations the month counts from your registration with Social Security.
• You need form EX-17, the fee paid with form 790 código 012, a recent photo, your passport and the document showing your authorisation. A padrón certificate is often requested.
• The process has two appointments: one to give your fingerprints (toma de huellas) and one to collect the card.
• UK nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement get a specific TIE that refers to their status under the agreement.

What the TIE is

The TIE is a plastic card with your photo, fingerprints, NIE and the type of authorisation you hold. It is your identity document in Spain and the proof that you are legally resident. It does not replace your passport for international travel, but you will normally show both when re-entering Spain.

The card itself does not create your right to reside. That right comes from the authorisation or visa that was granted to you. The TIE documents it. This is why you apply for the TIE only after the authorisation exists. For an overview of the card and how we can help, see our TIE card in Spain page.

Who needs a TIE

• Non-EU nationals with a residence or stay authorisation of more than six months: for example, people with a non-lucrative residence visa, a work visa, a student visa for more than six months, family reunification, or residence as a family member of an EU citizen (which has its own card type).
• UK nationals who were living in Spain before the end of the Brexit transition period, and their qualifying family members. Their card is issued under the Withdrawal Agreement. We explain this case separately in our guide to the Brexit TIE under the Withdrawal Agreement.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not get a TIE. They register as residents and receive the EU registration certificate instead.

The deadline: generally within one month

Spanish immigration rules set a short window for requesting the card. Article 209.1 of the current immigration regulations (Royal Decree 1155/2024, which replaced Royal Decree 557/2011) says that anyone granted a visa or authorisation to stay in Spain for more than six months must apply for the card personally within one month of entering Spain, or of the authorisation being granted or taking effect. Where the authorisation depends on registering with Social Security (for example, some work permits), the month counts from that registration. The exact wording depends on the type of authorisation, so check the instructions in your resolution or visa and the official information sheets of the Ministry of Inclusion.

In busy provinces, getting a fingerprint appointment within that month can be hard. Start looking for one as soon as you arrive or as soon as you receive the favourable resolution, and keep proof of your attempts.

Step by step: the TIE process

Step 1. Register on the padrón

Many offices ask for a recent padrón certificate (certificado de empadronamiento) showing your address in Spain. You will also need it for many other procedures. Register at your town hall as early as possible. See our guide to empadronamiento in Spain.

Step 2. Fill in form EX-17

Form EX-17 is the application for the foreigner identity card. Download the current version from the Ministry of Inclusion website, fill it in (in capital letters is best), tick the option that matches your case, such as first card or renewal, and sign it. Your details must match your passport exactly.

Step 3. Pay the fee with form 790 código 012

The TIE fee is paid using form 790 código 012, which you complete online on the National Police website. Choose the option for the TIE that corresponds to your type of authorisation; there are different options depending on its length and type. Print it, pay it at a bank (or online, where your bank allows it) and keep the validated copy. The amount is updated periodically, so check the current figure on the form itself.

Step 4. Get a recent photo

You need a recent colour passport-type photo with a white background.

Step 5. Book the fingerprint appointment

Go to the cita previa portal at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es, choose your province and select the procedure for fingerprints (the name usually mentions “toma de huellas” and “expedición de tarjeta”). The exact wording differs between provinces. Enter your NIE and personal details, pick an office and a slot, and save the confirmation.

Step 6. Attend the fingerprint appointment

Bring originals and copies of:

• your passport (and, if you entered with a visa, the page with the visa and the entry stamp);
• form EX-17, signed;
• the paid 790 código 012;
• the photo;
• the resolution granting your authorisation, if you have one in paper or electronic form;
• the padrón certificate, if requested in your province;
• the appointment confirmation.

The officer checks your documents, takes your fingerprints and gives you a receipt, known as the resguardo. Keep it safe.

Step 7. Wait for the card and book the collection

The card is produced centrally and sent to the office. Waiting times vary by province and period, so we do not give fixed figures. Depending on the office, you may need to book a separate collection appointment, or collection may be on a date given to you at the fingerprint appointment. Some offices let you check online whether the card is ready.

Step 8. Collect your TIE

Go to the collection appointment with your passport and the resguardo. You may be asked to confirm your fingerprint again. Check every detail on the card before leaving: name, NIE, date of birth, type of authorisation and expiry date.

The resguardo: what it is useful for

The resguardo is the receipt that proves you have applied for your card. While you wait, together with your passport and your authorisation, it shows that your situation is being processed. Do not lose it: you usually need it to collect the card.

However, the resguardo is not a travel document. If you need to travel abroad before the card is ready, read the next section carefully.

What if you need to travel before the card is ready?

Travelling outside Spain while waiting for your first TIE can create problems on your return, especially if your entry visa has expired. In some cases a return authorisation (autorización de regreso) can be requested; in others the visa that is still valid may be enough. The rules depend on your situation, so check with the immigration office or the official information before booking flights. If travel is unavoidable, plan it well in advance and seek advice first.

Renewals

When your authorisation is renewed or modified, you will need a new TIE reflecting the new period or status. The process is very similar: form EX-17 ticking the renewal option, the corresponding 790 código 012 fee, a photo, your passport, your current TIE and the renewal resolution, followed by a fingerprint appointment and a collection appointment. You should also request a new card if yours is lost, stolen, damaged, or if your details change.

Remember that renewing the card and renewing the authorisation are different steps. The authorisation renewal comes first; the card follows. Check the renewal window for your type of authorisation so you do not fall out of status.

Common mistakes

• Missing the one-month window. Start looking for an appointment immediately and keep evidence of your attempts if none are available.
• Paying the wrong option on the 790 form. There are several TIE options. Choose the one that matches your authorisation.
• Booking the wrong procedure in the cita previa system. Many procedures have similar names. A wrong booking can mean being turned away.
• Arriving without a padrón certificate in a province that asks for it.
• Travelling abroad on the resguardo alone without checking whether you can re-enter.

Frequently asked questions

Can someone else go to the fingerprint appointment for me?

No. Because your fingerprints are taken, you must attend in person. A representative can help with the forms, the fee and the appointment booking, but the applicant has to be there.

Is the resguardo valid as an ID in Spain?

The resguardo shows that you have applied for your card. Together with your passport, it is generally accepted to show that your application is in progress, but it is not an identity card and not a travel document.

I am a UK national living in Spain before 2021. Which TIE do I need?

If you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, you are entitled to a specific TIE that states that status. If you still hold the old green EU certificate, you can usually exchange it for this card. Our Withdrawal Agreement guide explains this case.

How long is the TIE valid for?

The card’s validity follows the authorisation it documents, so it varies from person to person. Check the expiry date on your card and the length of your authorisation in your resolution.

Official sources

• Sede electrónica de las Administraciones Públicas (appointments and online procedures)
• Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (forms and information sheets)
• Policía Nacional (foreigners’ documentation and fee forms)
• Real Decreto 1155/2024, Reglamento de extranjería, article 209 (BOE, consolidated text)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visas and consulates)

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