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🪪 Renewing Your TIE in Spain – Avoid Mistakes (2025 Guide)

🪪 Renewing Your TIE in Spain – Avoid Mistakes (2025 Guide)

1. What Is the TIE?

The TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) is the official ID card for non-EU residents in Spain. It proves your legal status, NIE number, and residency permit. Most visas (non-lucrative, digital nomad, student, etc.) require you to carry it.

  • First issued: usually valid 1–2 years (depending on visa).
  • Renewal: required if your visa/residency is extended.

2. When Do You Need to Renew?

  • Usually 60 days before your TIE expires.
  • You may also renew up to 90 days after expiration (but you’ll be in irregular status, so avoid this).
  • Renewals depend on your visa type (non-lucrative, work, family, digital nomad).

3. Documents Required for Renewal 📑

  1. Application Form EX-17 (for TIE renewal).
  2. Valid Passport (with copies of all pages).
  3. Expired/expiring TIE card.
  4. Proof of continued residency permit (non-lucrative renewal, job contract, student extension, etc.).
  5. Empadronamiento certificate (recent, less than 3 months old).
  6. Proof of financial means (bank statements, contract, etc. depending on visa).
  7. Recent passport photos (carnet size, white background).
  8. Paid fee receipt (Modelo 790 Código 012 – ~€16).

4. Where & How to Renew 🏛️

  • Step 1: Book an appointment online at the Policía Nacional website (Cita Previa system).
  • Step 2: Attend your appointment with all documents and photocopies.
  • Step 3: Provide fingerprints (again).
  • Step 4: Receive a receipt — pick up your renewed TIE card after ~30–45 days.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid ⚠️

  • Waiting too long: Appointments can take weeks; start at least 60 days early.
  • Wrong form: Use EX-17 (not EX-15, which is for NIE).
  • Old padrón: Must be recent (within 3 months).
  • Incorrect photos: Spanish size is smaller than US/UK passport photos.
  • Forgetting photocopies: Always bring originals + copies.
  • Unpaid fee: Pay Modelo 790 at a bank before your appointment.

6. Processing Times ⏱️

  • Appointment: often 2–6 weeks wait (depending on city).
  • Collection: ~30–45 days after fingerprints.

7. Insider Tips (Pathway Spain) 💡

  • Book appointments at midnight (new slots often open then).
  • Check nearby towns/cities if your city is fully booked.
  • Keep a digital copy of your receipt — it acts as temporary proof of residency.
  • If traveling, renew before your card expires; expired TIEs complicate re-entry.

✅ Summary

Renewing your TIE in Spain isn’t complicated — but small mistakes can cause major delays. Plan early, double-check documents, and follow the steps carefully to keep your residency legal and stress-free.

Pathway Spain simplifies the process with checklists, insider tips, and reminders so you never miss a deadline