Updated Guide to Getting the TIE in Spain in 2025

Foreigner identity card with fingerprint.

Facing immigration procedures in Spain can feel like a maze of acronyms and processes. However, understanding the role of each document is the first step toward a successful process. With the updates implemented in 2025 to streamline management, having a clear guide is more important than ever.

Understanding the key identification documents in Spain

Confusion between NIE, TIE, and CUE is one of the first hurdles for any foreigner arriving in Spain. Clarifying what each one is and what it is for simplifies the entire process that follows. Think of the NIE as a tax identification number, similar to the NIF for Spaniards, assigned to any foreigner with economic or professional interests in the country. It is a number, not a residence card.

The Foreigner Identity Card (TIE), on the other hand, is the physical document. It’s a card with a photo and chip that proves a non-EU citizen has legal residence authorization in Spain. The main difference between NIE and TIE is that the NIE is the identification number that will appear on the TIE, but the TIE is the tangible proof of your resident status. For a more detailed explanation of the number itself, you can check out our guide to the NIE.

Finally, the Certificate of Registration of an EU Citizen (CUE), colloquially known as “the green NIE,” is a paper document that certifies registration in the Central Register of Foreigners for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who will reside in Spain for more than three months. Although it contains the NIE number, it is not an identity document like the TIE and has no photo.

Comparison of Identification Documents for Foreigners

Note: This table summarizes the key functional differences between the documents. The NIE is the underlying number, while the TIE and the CUE are the documents that materialize a residence or registration status, respectively.

Who must apply for the TIE in 2025?

Stone path leading to a Spanish arch.

Once you understand the function of each document, it’s essential to know who is required to apply for the TIE. This card is mandatory for all citizens from outside the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland who have obtained authorization to stay in Spain for a period longer than six months. It’s not optional; it’s a legal requirement to formalize residence.

The most common profiles that must meet this obligation include:

• Students with a long-stay study visa.
• Workers who have obtained a work permit.
• People with a non-lucrative residence authorization.
• Family members of EU or Spanish citizens under family reunification.
• Applicants for international protection whose application has been admitted for processing.
• United Kingdom citizens benefiting from the Withdrawal Agreement.

Meeting the TIE Spain 2025 requirements means acting quickly. You have a strict period of 30 days to start the process. This period counts from your legal entry into Spain or from the date you are notified of the granting of your residence authorization. There are various residence authorizations that lead to obtaining the TIE, each with its own particularities.

Step-by-step guide to your TIE application

The process to obtain the TIE is methodical and requires attention to detail. The 2025 improvements in digitalization have optimized appointment management, but the fundamental steps remain the same. Here’s how to get the TIE in Spain in an orderly way.

1. Obtain the favorable residence resolution: This is the indispensable starting point. You don’t apply for the TIE from scratch; it materializes a residence right that has already been granted to you. Without the favorable resolution, you cannot start the card process.
2. Book an appointment for fingerprinting: The next step is to get an immigration appointment for the TIE. You must do this through the Government’s official e-office. In the list of procedures, select your province and look for the option “POLICIA-TOMA DE HUELLAS (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA) Y RENOVACIÓN DE TARJETA DE LARGA DURACIÓN.” Demand is very high, so patience and persistence are recommended.
3. Fill out the forms and pay the fee: Before the appointment, you must download and complete the EX-17 immigration form. You must also pay the corresponding fee. To do so, download the Fee Form 790, Code 012, fill it out, and pay it at a collaborating bank or online. It is crucial to keep the stamped proof of payment. You can check the updated immigration fees to know the exact amount.
4. Attend the appointment at the police station: On the day of the appointment, you must present all documentation. An officer will verify the papers, take your fingerprints (“toma de huellas”), and give you a temporary receipt indicating that your card is in production.
5. Pick up your TIE: The waiting period is usually between 30 and 45 days. Once this time has passed, you must return to the office to collect your card. Depending on the province, you may need to book a new appointment for collection (“POLICIA-RECOGIDA DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO (TIE)”).

Essential documentation for your TIE application

Documents and passport organized for the procedure.

Arriving at the appointment with all the correct documents is the key to avoiding delays. An error in the documentation can force you to start the tedious process of getting an appointment all over again. Prepare a folder with the following documents, always bringing both the original and a photocopy of each.

• Proof of appointment: The printed confirmation email.
• Application form: The EX-17 form duly completed and signed.
• Passport: Your valid, unexpired passport. You must bring the original and a photocopy of the biographical page and all other pages.
• Recent photograph: A passport-size color photo, with a white background and your face uncovered.
• Favorable resolution: The letter or notification granting you residence authorization.
• Certificate of registration (empadronamiento): A certificate or record of household registration (collective and historical), issued within the last three months.
• Proof of fee payment: The receipt for paying Fee Form 790 Code 012.

Double-checking this list before leaving home will give you the peace of mind that the process at the police station will be smooth and trouble-free.

The value of professional legal guidance

Although this guide details the steps, the process can become complex. Immigration regulations are dynamic, and the 2025 updates are a good example. Having the support of a specialist lawyer is not an expense but an investment to ensure everything is done correctly and on time.

A professional helps you avoid common mistakes that can cost months of delay, such as filling out a form incorrectly or failing to provide a specific document required for your type of authorization. As we explain in our article on frequent mistakes in immigration procedures, a small oversight can have major consequences.

An advisor not only handles the paperwork but also offers a personalized strategy. The documentation for a student is not identical to that for a highly qualified worker. This guide is an informative tool, but only an expert can give you advice tailored to your particular case, reducing stress and maximizing the chances of success.

Frequently asked questions about the TIE

Question marks turning into check marks.

Even with a detailed guide, specific doubts always arise. Here we answer some of the most common questions about obtaining and managing the TIE.

What should I do if my TIE is lost or stolen?
First, file a report with the National Police as soon as possible. With a copy of the report, you must request a duplicate. The process is similar to the initial issuance: you will need to book an appointment for fingerprinting, submit the EX-17 form (checking the “duplicate” box), the police report, your passport, a photo, and pay the fee again.

How should the TIE be renewed in Spain?
It’s important to understand that what you renew is not the card itself, but the residence authorization that gives it validity. You must begin the renewal process for your authorization within the 60 calendar days before the TIE’s expiration date, or up to 90 days after. Once you obtain the favorable resolution of the renewal, you must repeat the fingerprinting process to be issued a new card with updated dates.

Can I travel outside Spain while I’m waiting for my TIE?
Yes, but with conditions. If you need to leave the Schengen Area and your residence authorization is being processed (whether the initial one or a renewal), you must apply for a return authorization (autorización de regreso). This permit allows you to leave and re-enter Spain within 90 days. As detailed by the Ministry of the Interior, it is an essential procedure to avoid problems at the border.

What are the main changes in 2025?
The 2025 updates have focused on digitalization to reduce administrative backlogs. The online appointment system has been improved to be more stable, and more options have been enabled for submitting documents electronically in the earlier phases. However, the fingerprinting step remains strictly in person, as it requires biometric verification of the applicant.

EspanaExtranjeria is not an official site of the Government of Spain. The information is general and educational and may contain unintentional errors or become outdated. Always check official sources before carrying out procedures.

If you need legal advice about your case, consult a specialist lawyer.

When we link to regulations or official offices, it does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by those bodies.