ELS-0028Residency · Spain

How to Get Your TIE Number in Spain: Step-by-Step Guide for British Expats

Official sources checked
Written by Sue Berry
Practical guidance

The TIE is the biometric residence card used by most British citizens living in Spain. This guide explains who needs one, how the process differs for pre- and post-Brexit residents, what to take to your appointment and what happens next.

The Quick Answer

You do not technically apply for a “TIE number.”

The TIE, or Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, is your physical biometric residence card. The number printed on it is your NIE, or Número de Identidad de Extranjero.

How you obtain your TIE depends on when and under which route you became resident:

If you lived legally in Spain before 1 January 2021 and hold a green EU residence certificate, you can exchange it for an Article 50 TIE.

If you lived in Spain before 1 January 2021 but do not have a green certificate, you may need to prove that you qualified under the Withdrawal Agreement before a TIE can be issued.

If you moved after 31 December 2020, you normally need the appropriate visa or residence authorisation before applying for your TIE.

Children who are resident in Spain normally need their own residence documentation.

The usual process involves booking an appointment, completing the correct form, paying the 790-012 fee, attending in person for fingerprints and returning later to collect the card.

Why This Matters

Your TIE provides clear proof that you are legally resident in Spain. It may be needed when accessing services, dealing with authorities, travelling and confirming your immigration status.

It is important to understand that an NIE alone does not prove residency. You can have an NIE for financial, property or administrative purposes without being legally resident in Spain.

Most British citizens who moved to Spain after Brexit need a TIE. Their visa or residence decision should explain when and how to apply.

If you moved before 1 January 2021

British citizens who were legally resident before 1 January 2021 may be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement.

Some still hold the old green EU registration certificate. This remains evidence of Withdrawal Agreement rights within Spain, but Spanish and British authorities strongly recommend exchanging it for a biometric TIE.

The UK Government warns that the green certificate will not provide the same exemption as a TIE from the EU Entry/Exit System at Schengen borders. A TIE showing “Artículo 50 TUE” provides much clearer evidence of your protected status. GOV.UK TIE guidance

If you moved after 31 December 2020

British citizens moving after the Brexit transition period are treated as non-EU nationals for immigration purposes.

You normally need an appropriate visa or residence authorisation before relocating or becoming resident. This may include:

Non-lucrative residence

Digital nomad residence

Employment or self-employment

Student residence

Family residence

Another authorised immigration route

The visa or approval will state whether you need to apply for a TIE and the deadline for doing so.

The TIE application does not replace the visa or residence application. It produces the physical card showing the residence status already granted to you.

The difference between an NIE and a TIE

NIE

Your NIE is your personal foreigner identification number.

It is used for matters such as:

Tax

Property

Banking

Employment

Contracts

Government administration

TIE

Your TIE is the physical biometric card containing:

Your name

Photograph

NIE

Residence status

Card validity

Fingerprint information

Other identifying details

Having an NIE does not automatically mean you are legally resident.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NIE the same as the TIE? No. Property ownership does not automatically provide Spanish residence.

Do I need residence approval before applying for the TIE? For most post-Brexit British applicants, yes. The physical card normally documents a residence permission that has already been granted.

Which form is used? The standard application form is EX-17.

Which fee form is used? The usual fee form is Modelo 790 Código 012.

Will I need fingerprints? Yes. The TIE is a biometric identity card and applicants normally attend personally for fingerprinting.

Do I need a padrón certificate? It is frequently requested, especially for address confirmation, but requirements can differ between procedures and offices.

How long does the card take? Processing times vary. Follow the instructions issued by the police station rather than relying on a fixed national timescale.

Can someone attend for me? The applicant normally needs to attend personally because identity and fingerprints must be verified.

Do children need a TIE? Children may need their own residence documentation and card. Check the procedure applying to the child’s residence route.

Is the old green certificate still valid? The green certificate remains evidence of Withdrawal Agreement rights within Spain. However, Spanish and British authorities strongly recommend exchanging it for an Article 50 TIE, particularly because of the EU Entry/Exit System.

What does Artículo 50 TUE mean? It indicates that the residence status is connected to rights protected under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement.

What should I do if the card contains an error? Report it to the issuing office as soon as possible.

Can I travel while waiting for a replacement? You may need an Autorización de Regreso, depending on your residence and travel circumstances.

Can I get a TIE without a visa? It depends on your circumstances. Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries follow a different route. Most British citizens moving to Spain after 31 December 2020 need an appropriate visa or residence authorisation before obtaining a TIE.

Important — Read Before You Act

Do not confuse obtaining an NIE with obtaining legal residency.

Do not use the same form for every type of TIE application.

Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries may use a different process from people who moved after Brexit.

If you lived in Spain before 1 January 2021 but have no residence document, seek advice before submitting an ordinary post-Brexit application.

Check the exact documents requested by your province and police station.

Appointment categories and local requirements can differ.

Never buy a government appointment from an unofficial person or website.

Use only the official Spanish appointment system or a trusted regulated adviser.

Check your visa or residence decision for your application deadline.

If you need to travel while waiting for a renewal, investigate whether you need an Autorización de Regreso.

What To Do — Step by Step

Identify your residency route First establish which category applies to you: You moved before 1 January 2021 and have a green certificate. You moved before 1 January 2021 but have no residence document. You moved after 31 December 2020 with a visa or residence approval. You are renewing or replacing an existing TIE. You are applying as a family member. This decision affects the form, appointment type and evidence required.
Complete your residency process first If you moved after Brexit, you normally need your visa or residence authorisation before the police can issue the physical TIE. If you were resident before 2021 but have no green certificate or TIE, you may need to apply through the Oficina de Extranjería and prove that you met the Withdrawal Agreement conditions. Evidence could include historic padrón registration, healthcare cover, employment, self-employment or financial resources.
Choose the correct application form The correct form depends on your circumstances. Common examples include: EX-17: General initial, renewal or replacement TIE applications EX-23: TIE applications for certain Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries EX-20: Residence-document applications for eligible British citizens protected by the Withdrawal Agreement who do not already have suitable documentation Do not choose a form simply because another British expat used it.
Book your appointment Book a cita previa at the appropriate police station or Oficina de Extranjería in the province where you live. The appointment may be described as: Toma de huellas Expedición de tarjeta Tarjeta inicial Renovación de TIE Documento de Acuerdo de Retirada Policía – Toma de Huellas The wording can differ between provinces. If no appointments are available, check regularly. The UK Government also suggests trying with a digital identity such as Cl@ve or considering a qualified gestor or immigration lawyer. GOV.UK appointment guidance
Pay the TIE fee Complete the Modelo 790, Código 012 and select the payment category that matches your application. Pay the fee using an accepted bank or payment method and keep the stamped or validated receipt. The Police National website confirms that Form EX-17 and proof of payment of the 790-012 fee form part of the general TIE procedure. Police National TIE procedure Step 6: Prepare your documents Your precise documents will depend on your route and local office. You may be asked for: Completed application form Original passport Copies of relevant passport pages Visa or favourable residence decision Green EU residence certificate, if exchanging it Recent padrón certificate, if requested Proof of payment of the 790-012 fee Passport-sized photographs meeting Spanish requirements Appointment confirmation Existing TIE, if renewing or replacing it Evidence relating to a change of address or personal details Additional documents listed by the office Take originals and copies unless your appointment instructions clearly say otherwise.
Attend the fingerprint appointment The applicant normally needs to attend in person. At the appointment, officials will: Check your documents Confirm your identity Take your fingerprints Review or collect your photograph Provide a receipt or collection document Check your name, NIE and other details carefully before leaving.
Keep the collection receipt safe The receipt proves that you have completed the fingerprint stage and normally tells you when and where to collect the card. It is not necessarily a travel document and may not be accepted for re-entry into Spain.
Collect your TIE Return to the stated police station when your card is ready. You will normally need: Your passport The collection receipt Your old card, where applicable Collection arrangements vary. Some offices require another appointment, while others give a collection period or set time.
Check and store the card safely Before leaving, check: Name and spelling NIE Date of birth Residence category Expiry date Address, where shown “Artículo 50 TUE” if you are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement Keep a secure copy of the front and back and record the expiry date somewhere you will remember to check. Do not publish an uncovered photograph of your TIE online.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Referring to the TIE as a number rather than a physical card
Assuming an NIE proves legal residency
Using EX-17 when a Withdrawal Agreement process applies
Using EX-23 when an ordinary post-Brexit residence route applies
Booking the wrong appointment category
Attending without proof that the 790-012 fee has been paid
Taking photographs that do not meet Spanish document requirements
Forgetting the original passport or required copies
Taking an old padrón certificate when a recent one is required
Assuming every police station asks for identical documents
Losing the fingerprint or collection receipt
Failing to check the completed card for errors
Forgetting to renew the card before it expires
Paying an unofficial seller for a supposedly guaranteed appointment

Your Action Checklist

BEFORE BOOKING - Confirm my legal residence route.
Check the deadline for applying for the TIE.
Confirm my NIE.
Register on the padrón where required.
Check which office handles the procedure.
Select the correct appointment type.
BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT - Complete EX-17.
Generate Modelo 790 Código 012.
Pay the correct fee.
Obtain recent TIE photographs.
Prepare my passport.
Copy relevant passport pages.
Print my visa or residence approval.
Obtain a recent padrón certificate where required.
Take my previous TIE or green certificate.
Print the appointment confirmation.
Prepare originals and copies.
AT THE APPOINTMENT - Arrive early.
Present my passport.
Submit EX-17.
Submit proof of payment.
Provide photographs.
Provide fingerprints.
Check the information entered.
Collect the receipt.
Confirm where and when the card will be collected.
AFTER THE APPOINTMENT - Scan the receipt.
Record the collection date.
Check whether a collection appointment is required to collect the card.
Check my name and NIE.
Check the residence category.
Check the expiry date.
Copy both sides.
Set a renewal reminder.
Tell a trusted person where the documents are stored.

In Summary

The TIE is the physical biometric residence card used by British and other non-EU residents in Spain. The NIE is the identification number printed on the card.

Your application route depends on whether you were legally resident before 1 January 2021, moved after Brexit, hold a green certificate or already have an approved visa or residence authorisation.

Before applying:

Confirm your residency category

Use the correct form

Book the right appointment

Pay the correct 790-012 fee

Check your local document requirements

Attend in person for fingerprints

Keep the collection receipt

Check the finished card carefully

British citizens holding green residence certificates are strongly encouraged to exchange them for Article 50 TIE cards, particularly because the biometric TIE provides clearer proof of Withdrawal Agreement status when travelling.

Sue’s final thoughts & experiences

A personal note from Sue Berry

Spanish paperwork can feel overwhelming, particularly when several terms sound as though they mean the same thing. it seems more scary because you usually attend the Police Station. It is normal in Spain and usually there will be no issues. Having your fingerprints taken is easy.

I have a hand that has limited use and find it hard to get my thumb fingerprinted but they were very nice to me and after about 3 attempts, we got there. So don't get nervous or worried. Just go with the flow as there will be other people there as well as you, all waiting for the same thing to happen.

The simplest way to remember it is that your NIE is your number, while your TIE is the card that helps prove your residence status.

Take the process one step at a time. Confirm your particular route, prepare a simple folder containing your originals and copies, and keep every receipt you are given.

Once your TIE arrives, save a secure copy and make sure someone you trust knows where your important residence information is kept. That small piece of organisation can make everyday administration and future emergencies much easier.