TIE Exchange Appointments
Introduction
We know many of you are struggling to secure appointments for immigration and police procedures, and we want to share any tips and experiences of our customers.
In 2020, the first TIE cards were issued to UK nationals living in Spain. Those without permanent residency received cards valid for five years. Now that these cards are expiring there is already a backlog of people who need to renew their TIEs.
Officially, the WA TIEs can be renewed from 30 days before expiry and up to 90 days after. However, many police stations will only process renewals once the card has expired—causing stress and uncertainty for many.
We’ve raised these issues with the British Consulate, who confirm it’s a common problem being discussed at national level. The more real-life examples we can share, the stronger the case for change. The Consulate is raising the issue at every opportunity, ultimately though, this is a matter for the Spanish authorities to resolve.
This is where you can help.
Please take just a few minutes to complete our short survey. Tell us about your experience—good or bad—and share any tips that might help others. Every response counts and will help us push for practical solutions.
What if my Card has Expired?
Remember you have a period of 90 days after the expiry date to renew your TIE.
Importantly, your legal right to reside in Spain remains fully protected, even if your TIE is currently expired or there is a delay in renewing it. Your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and Spanish law continue to apply.
If you have been legally resident in Spain for over five years, you will now hold the right to permanent residency – a status that is very secure and not easily removed by the authorities.
The physical TIE is important for practical purposes – such as travel, identification, and accessing services – please keep trying to book an appointment and be sure to keep a record of your attempts. This will show you are actively trying to comply with the process.
Administrative delays cannot legally be used as a reason to revoke your right to reside in Spain.
What if I need to travel outside of Spain and my TIE has expired?
Normally, to leave and come back, you need either a valid TIE or a “Permiso de Regreso” (re-entry permit).
If you can’t get an appointment to renew your TIE or for the Permiso de Regreso, here are some steps you can try (there are different procedures and processes across Spain, these are only suggestions):
- Contact immigration authorities directly:
Try calling or emailing the Oficina de Extranjería or the local police immigration office to explain your situation. Occasionally, they can give special advice or schedule an emergency appointment.
- Visit the police immigration office in person:
If possible, go to the police station that handles foreigners’ documentation to explain your urgency. Sometimes showing up in person helps for urgent cases.
- Prepare to justify your travel urgency:
If you do manage to travel with an expired TIE, carry proof of your urgent reason for travel (e.g., medical emergencies, family matters) and any documentation of your renewal attempts. This might help at border control or with re-entry.
Can I just show my Passport without the TIE?
Technically, you could try to re-enter Spain as a tourist, but it’s very risky and generally not recommended if you have an expired TIE. Here’s why:
- Border control scrutiny
When you arrive, border officers will check your documents and may see your expired TIE. If they recognise that you are a resident with an expired card, they might deny entry because you no longer have valid residency documentation. - Visa and entry rules
Even if you come from a visa-exempt country, your tourist entry is limited (usually 90 days within 180 days in the Schengen Area). If you’ve been living in Spain longer and suddenly try to re-enter as a tourist, this can look suspicious or lead to questions about your legal status. - Risk of losing residency status
Traveling without a valid TIE or permiso de regreso can be interpreted as abandoning your residency rights. If refused entry, you might lose your resident status and face additional hurdles to come back. - Travel insurance and practical issues
Without a valid residence permit, travel insurance might not cover you properly. Also, airlines may refuse to board you if they anticipate entry denial.
Tips for Making an Online Appointment
Ensure you have a CLAVE or Digital Certificate when accessing the Sede electrónica
Be persistent. Some people have spent days continually accessing the system before successfully obtaining an appointment. Try to book an appointment at different times of the day. When you are booking you are either trying to get the appointments as they are issued on the system, or obtain a cancellation.
You may want to download one of the “Cita Previa App” from Google Play or Apple Store. Some of these apps are able to notify you when new appointments are released in your area.
You can also contact a lawyer or gestor who may be able to get an appointment on your behalf.
UK Nationals in a Vulnerable Situation
Any UK National who is very vulnerable due to their residency status – e.g. can’t access urgent medical care or emergency social care, please contact the British Consulate on 917 14 6300 to see how they can assist.
To Make a Complaint
For those who would like to complain about the lack of availability of appointments on offer to the Spanish authorities, which may help increase visibility and urgency of the issue, the authority to approach is the Defensor del Pueblo
Updates
We will share any useful updates here as well as any tips we receive in response to our survey
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