Getting a residence card (TIE) for your children

Key rules

• Own card: Each non-EU child legally resident in Spain needs their own TIE, even a baby.
• Fingerprints: A child under 12 is not fingerprinted; from age 12 fingerprints are taken at the appointment.
• Deadline: The month starts on the child's entry on a visa, or on notification of an approval granted in Spain.
• Parent's role: A parent or legal guardian signs as representative and attends the appointment with the child.

Your child needs their own card

The TIE is required at any age, including babies under one. The month for a child is counted like yours (how the month is counted). A child who joins you later has their own month, counted from their own entry.

Age rules

Every child has their own appointment slot and attends it with the parent; under 12 they skip only the fingerprints. Children under 14 do not have to carry the card as identification; from 14 they carry it (carrying the card).

What you do as a parent or guardian

You handle every step. You sign the application as your child's legal representative and attend the appointment with them. You bring the child's photo, your own ID or TIE and proof that you are the parent or guardian, and you sign for the card when it is collected.

A child born in Spain

If your child is born in Spain while you hold a residence authorisation, apply for the child's TIE within 6 months of the birth. The one-month rule applies to children who arrive on a visa or are approved in Spain.

How long the card lasts

For under-18s the card is valid for the length of the authorisation. For children under 5 it is issued for a shorter period, so plan an earlier renewal.

Fee and documents

The fee is €16.40 in 2026 per child, paid with modelo 790 código 012. Bring:

• The completed EX-17 application form, signed by the parent or guardian as legal representative.
• The stamped bank copy of the €16.40 fee.
• Your child's valid passport, plus a photocopy of it.
• The resolution or visa that granted your child's residence authorisation.
• One recent passport-style colour photo of your child.
• A padrón certificate (empadronamiento, the certificate from your town hall showing where you live).
• The ID or TIE of the parent or guardian who attends.
• A birth certificate or family book that proves you are the child's parent or guardian and can act as their representative.

A late application for a child is treated like any late application: see applying late.

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

Your non-EU child under 18 joins you or applies as your family member, proving the link with a birth certificate; see the EU family residence card for non-EU relatives. If your child is covered by the UK Withdrawal Agreement through you, they hold a Withdrawal Agreement residence document, not the non-EU child TIE described here.