How renewals differ by province and how to find your office

Terms used

• NIE — The NIE is the foreigner identification number shown on your residence documents.
• TIE — The TIE is the physical residence card issued to foreigners with a residence permit.
• Cl@ve — Cl@ve is the government's electronic identity login, used to file procedures online.
• Mercurio — Mercurio is the government's online platform for filing immigration applications such as renewals.

Key rules

• Competent office: The immigration office of the province where you live handles your renewal.
• Fingerprints: You give fingerprints for the card at a police station, and you need an appointment.
• Online filing: Filing through Mercurio needs no appointment, but you need a digital certificate or Cl@ve.
• Local practice: Waiting times and appointment availability vary by office, so ask yours before you plan.

Which office handles your renewal

Your renewal is handled by the immigration office for the province where you live. This is the Oficina de Extranjería, or in some places the Delegación or Subdelegación del Gobierno. It processes the renewal and decides on it.

The National Police then issue the TIE card. You give your fingerprints at a police station (Comisaría) for that.

If you move to another province, your renewal goes to the office of the province where you now live.

In some regions, such as Catalonia, the regional government holds some powers over work-permit processing. Catalonia and some other regions also use their own systems for some steps. If you live in one of these regions, check which system applies to each step.

How to find your office and book

Use the Spanish government's online appointment portal (cita previa), run by the Ministry of Territorial Policy.

1. Choose your province.
2. Choose the procedure, such as "Policía-Toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta) y renovación de TIE".
3. Enter your NIE and passport number to book.

The Oficinas de Extranjería directory on the same portal gives office addresses by province.

Filing online or in person

You can file the renewal online through Mercurio, the government's electronic filing platform. You need a digital certificate or Cl@ve. No appointment is needed for this. Online filing is often faster than filing in person.

You still need an appointment for fingerprints and the card.

Where local practice differs

Practice varies from province to province.

• Appointments: Fingerprint and card appointments are scarce in Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante and Málaga. Expect to check the portal often.
• Waiting times: Decisions can take from a few weeks to several months, depending on the office.
• Extra forms: Some provinces ask for extra online request forms for registration.

Before you file, ask your own office how long renewals currently take and whether it uses extra forms. The documents list, checklist and questions below cover the rest.

Documents you need

• Your NIE, the foreigner identification number on your residence documents, needed to book an appointment.

• Your passport number, needed together with your NIE to book an appointment.

• A digital certificate or Cl@ve login, needed only if you file online through Mercurio.

Checklist

• Confirm the province where you live, since that office handles your renewal.

• Find your Oficina de Extranjería address in the directory on the government's appointment portal.

• Decide whether to file online through Mercurio with a digital certificate or Cl@ve, or in person.

• Book the fingerprint and card appointment by choosing your province and the procedure for fingerprinting and TIE renewal, then entering your NIE and passport number.

• Check whether your region uses its own system for any step.

Check current appointment availability and turnaround with your own provincial office, as they change often.

Frequently asked questions

Which office handles my renewal if I move to another province?

The office for the province where you live handles and decides your renewal. The National Police station then issues the card, and you give your fingerprints there. Check the office for your new province before you file.

Can I file my renewal without booking an appointment?

Yes, you can file online without an appointment if you have a digital certificate or Cl@ve, the government's online ID login.

Is it hard to get an appointment in big cities?

Yes, appointments for fingerprinting and card collection are scarce in Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante and Málaga. Check the booking portal often and try different days.

Do Catalonia and other regions work differently?

Yes, Catalonia and some other regions use their own systems for some steps, and the regional government holds some powers over work permits. Ask your provincial office which steps are handled locally.