Status, cards, and renewals
Helps you get the residence card and keep status valid after approval.
Keep status valid after approval: get and use the residence card, renew on time, change permit type and travel without breaking residence.
- topics
- 9
- articles
- 62
- of reading
- 5.6 hours
Begin with
Getting your first residence card (TIE)
You will know exactly what to do, by when and what to bring so your first residence card is issued without a missed deadline.
What the residence card (TIE) is and who gets one · How long you have to apply for your residence card (TIE) · Booking your residence card (TIE) fingerprint appointment (toma de huellas)
More in status, cards, and renewals
8 more topics in this section, about 5.6 hours of reading in all.
Using and replacing your residence card (TIE)
You will know what the card proves, how to use it day to day and which procedure fixes each card problem.
Reading your residence card (TIE) and what it does not prove · Carrying and showing your residence card (TIE) in daily life · Wrong data on your residence card (TIE) and how to correct it
Renewing your residence permit
You will know when to file, how the renewal runs from filing to new card and what could derail it.
When to file your residence renewal · How long your permit and card last, and why the dates differ · How to renew your residence permit in Spain
Renewal rules by permit type
You will know what your own permit type is re-tested on at renewal and what to do if your circumstances changed.
Renewing a non-lucrative residence and proving funds, insurance and days in Spain · Renewing a work permit as an employee · Renewing a digital nomad or remote-worker permit
Changing your permit type in Spain
You will know which switches are allowed, how to time them and which one fits your change.
Changing your residence permit type without leaving Spain (modificación) · Modify your permit or apply for a different route? · Changing employer, sector or province on a work permit
Proving status during a pending renewal
You will know what proves you are legal and how to keep work and services running while you wait.
Documents that prove you are legal while your renewal is pending · Showing employers, landlords and banks your pending renewal · Health card, Social Security and driving licence while a renewal is pending
Travel and time abroad as a resident
You will know whether you can travel now, how long you can be away and what to do if your card is lost or expired abroad.
Travelling in Schengen with your Spanish residence card (TIE) · Leaving Spain when your card expired but you filed a renewal · Return authorisation (autorización de regreso) explained
EU registration and family cards
You will know how to register, what to prove and how the family card works.
Registering as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen (certificado de registro) · What EU citizens must prove when working, studying, retired or without income · Using your paper EU registration certificate with banks and landlords
UK Withdrawal Agreement residence in Spain
You will know whether you are covered, which document you hold and how to protect it.
Are you covered by the UK Withdrawal Agreement in Spain? · Exchanging your green certificate for the Withdrawal Agreement card · How long UK nationals can be away from Spain under the agreement
Other sections in Immigration and residency
Eligibility and route selection
Helps you find the Spanish residence route you qualify for.
Applications and evidence
Helps you assemble and file a complete residence application.
Partners, dependents, and family routes
Helps you secure status for partners, children and relatives.
Permanent residence and citizenship
Helps you progress to long-term residence and Spanish citizenship.
Mistakes, gaps, and dead ends
Helps you avoid or recover from immigration status failures.
Need certainty before you act?
For important relocation decisions, speak with a qualified human specialist.
Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.