Why applications get refused
Appointments can be hard to find in big cities and busy periods. Travelling outside Spain without the TIE, once your visa has expired, can cause problems on return. Book as soon as your permit is granted and keep the receipt of your application.
Step by step
1. Register at the padrón
Register at the town hall where you live. Many police offices ask for a recent padrón certificate.
2. Pay the fee
The TIE fee is paid with the official form (modelo 790, code 012) at a bank or online before the appointment.
3. Book the appointment
Through the official online appointment system, choosing the province and the procedure for fingerprinting.
4. Attend with documents
- Passport and a copy.
- The resolution granting your residence permit, or your visa.
- Official application form (EX-17).
- Recent passport-size photo.
- Proof of fee payment.
- Padrón certificate if requested.
5. Collect the card
After a few weeks, collect the card in person, usually with another appointment.
If you came with a consular visa
If you entered with a one-year visa, request the TIE promptly after arrival, as indicated on your visa. Remember that before the visa expires you can switch to the three-year residence permit, which will mean a new card. See apply from abroad.
Renewals
Each time your permit is renewed, you obtain a new TIE with the new expiry date. See renewal.
Travelling while you wait
If you need to travel abroad after your permit is granted but before you have the TIE, keep your visa, the grant resolution and the proof of your TIE application with you. Rules for re-entry depend on your situation, so check before booking flights, especially if your visa has already expired.
A practical example
An Argentinian couple received their permits while living in Palma. We booked their fingerprint appointments the same week, prepared the forms and fee payments, and they collected their TIE cards before a planned trip home. See Mallorca. More information on the firm's main website: immigration law at Castell Abogados (in Spanish).
Get your file checked before you apply
Most refusals come from documents that do not prove what the law asks for. Send us your situation and an immigration lawyer will tell you what is missing before you submit.
Questions about the TIE card
Do I need a TIE with the digital nomad permit?
Yes, if your authorisation lasts more than six months.
Where do I get the TIE?
At a police office for foreigners in your province, with an appointment.
How long does the TIE take?
Usually a few weeks after the fingerprint appointment.
Do I need the padrón for the TIE?
Many offices ask for it, so register at your town hall first.