Marbella Expat Guide

The Spanish residency documentation is no longer a green piece of paper that we all used to call our "residencia" it is now a photo ID card called a TIE, ‘Tarjeta de identidad de extranjero‘.  The process for UK Nationals is very slightly different to those of other EU states and this article highlights the Uk National process and also separately talks of the process if you are from another EU state.

It should be noted that former EU registration certificates and citizen family cards will serve to accredit the status of the beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement after 31 December 2020 and thus substantiate legal residency in Spain after the end of the Transition Period. However, the government recommends obtaining the new residency document since this follows the model established at an EU-wide level and explicitly states their status as a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement. Furthermore, this new document is a physical card that contains biometric elements which, among others, facilitate the performance of administrative procedures by the holder, including the ability to cross external borders of the EU.

The application for the TIE has to be made in person at the Provincial Foreigners Office, or National Police station in the area that you are living so in the case of Marbella this is on Avenida Duque de Lerma just a few minutes from La Canada shopping centre but you may apply in Estepona or Fuengirola for example.  Note that each individual (that includes children) will need separate appointments.

To clarify a white paper NIE is not a residencia document nor is the old Extranjero Plastic card if you still have one of those.  If you don't possess the Green Residencia Paper /Card (see images in our gallery) then the process is slightly different as proof that you have lived in Spain permanently will be required.  See end of article Scenario 3 for this.
 

Scenario 1 : I am BRITISH and have a Residency Card and want to exchange it for a TIE

1st Step

Get an appointment online here https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html

If you are a UK National you need to select your province and then select the option "Tarjeta asociada con la retirada cuidadanos britanicos..."

2nd step

Fill in the EX23 form via this link if you are a UK National and then download it and print it off twice

3rd step

Go to the Modelo 790 via this link, complete the information, leave the payment part as "principal" and where it asks the type of document you are asking for select 5th option "Certificado de registro de residente comunitario o Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de un ciudadano de la Unión. if you are British.
Once completed download it, take it to your bank and pay the 12 euro fee.  Keep this once stamped by the bank to take to the appointment.  Be aware that most banks only do this at certain times early in the morning and on specific days so check this first so it doesn't' add to frustrations!!!

4th step

Take a folder with you complete with the confirmation of your appointment made online, printed EX23 form, the stamped Modelo 790 to prove payment, a copy of your recent Empadronamiento (only needed if your address on your old residencia is different to now), 2 passport photos (white background), original passport, copy of passport, copy of your old residencia green paper card.

It will all be checked at your appointment and they will also take your fingerprints.  You will be given a stamped form that says your application has been received.

5th step

Approx 4 weeks after your first appointment go online again  https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html to make another appointment to collect your TIE card. (Recogida de Tarjeta)

Scenario 2 : I have a residency card but I am not British

1st step

Get an appointment online here https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html
Select your province and then select the option "Policia – Toma de Huellas (Expedicion de tarjeta) Y Renovacion de Tarjeta de Larga Duracion"

2nd step

Fill in the EX17 form via this link if you are from another EU or non EU country (not the UK)

3rd step

Go to the Modelo 790 via this link, complete the information, leave the payment part as "principal" and where it asks the type of document you are asking for select 4th option " .TIE que documenta la autorización de residencia de larga duración o de residencia de larga duración-UE."
Once completed download it, take it to your bank and pay the 12 euro fee.  Keep this once stamped by the bank to take to the appointment.

4th step

Take a folder with you complete with the confirmation of your appointment, the printed EX17, the stamped Modelo 790 to prove payment, a copy of your recent Empadronamiento (only needed if your address on your old residencia is different to now), a passport photo (white background), original passport, copy of passport, copy of your old residencia green paper card and the original.

It will all be checked at your appointment and they will also take your fingerprints.  You will be given a stamped form that says your application has been received.

5th step

Approx 4 weeks after your first appointment go online again  https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html to make another appointment to collect your TIE card. (Recogida de Tarjeta)
 

Scenario 3 : I am British but never did my residency paperwork however I have lived in Spain permanently before 31st Dec 2020

1st step

Get an appointment online here https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html
Select your province and then select the option "Trámite para la documentación de nacionales de Reino Unido (Brexit)"

2nd step

Fill in the EX20 application form via this link and gather all documentation attesting to the fact that you resided in Spain before 31st Dec 2020 to take to your appointment.

• For employed persons: Work contract, Pay slips, "alta" in the Social Security system, empadronamiento at the town hall
• For self-employed persons: Registration as autonomo, vida laboral document, empadronamiento at the town hall
• For those that do not work/retired: proof of health insurance or that your state pension covers you in Spain, proof of sufficient funds so as not to be a burden on the social assistance of Spain, empadronamiento at the town hall

3rd step

If the application meets the requirements, the resolution on the residence document "Carta de resolución" will be issued and notified within a maximum period of three months. Within a month from the notification of the resolution on the right to the TIE residency document, the applicant must personally request its expedition.
 

4th Step

Get an appointment online here https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html
If you are a UK National you need to select your province and then select the option "Tarjeta asociada con la retirada cuidadanos britanicos..."
 

5th Step

Complete the EX23 via this link , download it and print twice.
Go to the Modelo 790 via this link, complete the information, leave the payment part as "principal" and where it asks the type of document you are asking for select 5th option "Certificado de registro de residente comunitario o Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de un ciudadano de la Unión" . Once completed download it, take it to your bank and pay the 12 euro fee.  Keep this once stamped by the bank to take to the appointment.

6th step

Take a folder with you complete with the confirmation of your appointment, printed EX23, the stamped Modelo 790 to prove payment, a copy of your recent Empadronamiento (only needed if your address on your old residencia is different to now), 2 passport photos (white background), original passport, copy of passport, copy of your old residencia green paper card and the original.

It will all be checked at your appointment and they will also take your fingerprints.  You will be given a stamped form that says your application has been received.

7th step

Approx 4 weeks after your first appointment go online again  https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html to make another appointment to collect your TIE card. (Recogida de Tarjeta)

We have all followed this process straightforwardly now and are in proud possession of our new TIE cards.  If you require assistance please feel free to contact our team today!

Those UK national and members of their family that arrive in Spain after the end of the Transition Period, that is, after 1 January 2021, and that are not beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement will fall under the general immigration regime, since the agreement on future relations between the UK and the EU does not contain provisions on the maintenance of the free movement of people.  In these cases you will be applying for your TIE as part of your move to Spain; the process is very similar to the Scenario 3 above but you will have to do your VISA application first and the visa approval documentation will come with you to your appointment as well as the above mentioned. More information about visas can be found here

The Spanish Government have produced a handy Q&A document for British Nationals that you can download here also if you wish