Getting your new residence card (TIE) after a renewal is approved

Key rules

• Deadline: Apply for your new card within one month of being notified of the approval.
• Appointment: Book the fingerprint appointment straight away, because slots can run short.
• Receipt: You need the receipt from your fingerprint appointment to collect the card.
• Old card: Hand in or cancel your old card when the new one is issued, as your office instructs.

What you must do, and by when

Approval of your renewal is not the end. You must apply for your new card within one month of being notified of the decision. The "application" here means getting your fingerprints taken and the card issued.

Start the day you get the notice. Appointments can be scarce, so booking late is the biggest risk.

The steps in order

1. Book the appointment. Request a fingerprint appointment (cita previa) with the police as soon as you are notified.
2. Pay the fee. Use form 790 code 012, at a bank or online. Keep the proof of payment.
3. Go to the appointment. Bring the papers listed in the documents section below. Your fingerprints are taken there.
4. Keep your receipt. You are given it at the appointment. You need it to collect the card.
5. Collect the new card. This usually takes around 30 days after the fingerprints. Go in person with the receipt.

The timeline, documents and checklist below show each step in detail. Requirements can vary a little by police office, so check what yours asks for when you book. For example, some offices want a padrón certificate (proof of address from your town hall) and some do not.

If you miss the deadline

Missing the one-month deadline without a good reason can lead to a sanction. In some cases, the approval may lose its effect and you may have to start a new process. If you are close to the limit and cannot get an appointment, contact the police office or an adviser straight away. Do not wait.

Your old card

Hand your old card over, or follow the office's instructions for cancelling it, when the new card is issued. Ask at the appointment what your office wants you to do. Do not throw it away before then.

Timeline and deadlines

• Book your fingerprint appointment (cita previa) with the police: as soon as you are notified of the approval

• Pay the fee on form 790 code 012 at a bank or online: before your appointment

• Collect the receipt you are given at the appointment: at the appointment

• Collect your new card in person with the receipt: about 30 days after your fingerprints are taken

Documents you need

• EX-17 application form, filled in for your fingerprint and card appointment

• Proof that you paid the fee on form 790 code 012, from the bank or online

• Your passport

• One photo in the required format

• The resolution approving your renewal

• Your padrón certificate (proof of address from your town hall), if the office asks for it

Checklist

• Pay the fee on form 790 code 012 at a bank or online

• Gather the EX-17 form, proof of payment, passport, one photo and the approval resolution

• Bring your padrón certificate if the office asks for it

• Keep the receipt you get after your fingerprints are taken

• Go back in person with the receipt to collect your new card

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I miss the deadline to get my new card?

If you miss the one month deadline without a good reason, you can be fined. In some cases your permit can lose its effect or you may have to start a new process. Book your fingerprint appointment quickly, because slots can be limited.

Do I have to collect the new card in person?

Yes, you collect the card in person, about 30 days after your fingerprints are taken, and you bring the receipt you were given at the appointment.