The TIE, Tarjeta de Indentidad de Extranjero, or foreigners ID card, is the Spanish identification card for citizens from third countries (non-EU) who reside in Spain.
Once you have arrived in Spain with the relevant visa or otherwise meeting the eligibility for Spanish residency, you can begin the process to apply for your foriegners ID card, ‘tarjeta de identidad de extranjero‘.
Applying for the TIE ‘Tarjeta de Indentidad de Extranjero’ Foreigners ID Card
The process of getting a TIE has three parts. The first stage is the residency, and if applicable, visa application, which is made either through the main Foreigners Office in the province where you live in Spain, or at the Spanish Consulate of your home country. How and where you apply depends on you situation and the type of residency you qualify for and are applying for.
The second stage is completed at a National Police Station in the area that you live, and when the card is ready after a few weeks, it is collected from the police station .
All stages of the process must be done in person of the process have to be done in person. At the second stage you provide your fingerprints and a photograph for your biometric ID card. The whole process can take anything from 3 to 6 months depending on what type of residency you have applied for.
The initial application can be presented in person or by an authorised representative, and can be done face to face at the Foreigners Office, or submitted online. In most places, you have to call the foreign office to make an appointment to present your application.
First Stage – TIE Tarjeta de Indentidad de Extranjero Residency Application & Documentation Required
The online submission system is works well, and the Foreign Office encourages the use of this system. To submit your application you need to have a digital signature and certificate in place. If you don’t have one, you can authorise someone else or a company to complete the online submission on your behalf.
All TIE residency application require the following
*Completed application form EX form – the form number will vary depending on your situation and type of residency being applied for
Indentification
*Copy of all pages of valid passport / travel document and visa
*Proof of address in Spain (for visa applicants this is not required until the second stage).
Healthcare
*Private medical insurance policy / certificate with proof of payment of the policy
*Proof of social security payments if employed or self employed
*Proof of other access to healthcare – e.g. S1 if applicable
Income / Proof of Financial Means
The exact documents required for proof of financial means varies depending on circumstances. Any of the following as applicable may be required:
*Contract of employment
*Payslips or pension statements
*Bank statements
*Investment statements
*Contract for rental property
Dependant Applicants
*Birth certificate for child / dependant spouse applicants
*Marriage certificate / record of civil partnership for spouse / partner
Official translations of documents that are not in Spanish must be provided.
Additional documents to support your application
The Foreign Office or consulate when reviewing applications apart from checking that qualification and eligibility, may also request further information validating your arrival and situation in Spain.
When your application is received, a receipt will be issued confirming that it has been presented. It will then be reviewed accordingly at the foreigners office. If for any reason your application is not immediately accepted, 10 working days will be given to supply any additional information that may have been asked for to continue with the application.
Notification of the approval of your application will usually be sent within 3 months, and you have one month to make an appointment and complete the second stage application at the National Police Station.
Second Stage TIE Tarjeta de Indentidad de Extranjero Application – Getting Your Card
The second stage of the TIE application process is relatively straight forward, and appointments are readily available in most areas at the Foreigners Offices and National Police Stations.
For your second stage application you need to have a pre-booked appointment.
You can make an appointment through the following link:
Proceso automático para la solicitud de cita previa
For your appointment you will need:
*EX application form (as with the first stage the form number varies depending on type of residency)
*Your first stage approval notice
*Passport and a copy ( a copy of your passport and the application is acceptable if you are in the process of renewing it)
*Small passport (carnet size) photo 32mmx28mm
*Current proof of address (padron)
*Modelo 790 form with €12 tax paid and stamped by the bank, or with payment receipt attached
When you present your application your fingerprints will be taken, and if everything else is in order, you will be given confirmation of your processed application and told to make an appointment to go back and collect your card in 5 to 6 weeks. Some Police station operate collection without appointment, and just have allocated days or times for collection of TIE cards.
Link to all EX residency / TIE application forms: https://extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es/es/modelossolicitudes/mod_solicitudes2/