Passport and residence card both lost: the steps in order

Terms used

• Denuncia — The denuncia is the police report of a loss or theft, which you need for both replacements.
• TIE — The TIE is the residence card issued to non-EU foreigners living in Spain.
• Resguardo — The resguardo is the receipt you get after giving fingerprints, which shows your status while the new card is made.
• Extranjería — Extranjería is the police office that handles foreigners' residence documents.
• Cita previa — A cita previa is an appointment you must book in advance at a public office.

Key rules

• Order: Get the denuncia first, then the emergency travel document, then the residence card duplicate.
• Status: Losing the card does not end your residence while your authorisation is valid.
• Receipt: Keep the resguardo with you until the new card arrives.
• Travel: Re-entry to Spain without your card is not guaranteed, so wait for the card or ask Extranjería first.
• Fee: Pay the card fee with form 790 code 012 before your appointment.

Do it in this order

Report the loss first, then deal with your passport, then your residence card. The police report (denuncia) opens every other step, so do not skip it.

1. Report the loss or theft to the police. Ask for the denuncia and keep a copy. You need it for both replacements.
2. Replace the passport. Your consulate issues an emergency travel document. This step comes before the card because the card appointment asks for a passport.
3. Replace the residence card (TIE). Pay the fee, book the appointment and request a duplicate.
4. Carry your receipt (resguardo) until the new card arrives.

Step 1: The police report

Report both documents in one visit. Keep the denuncia with you, on paper and as a photo on your phone.

Step 2: The emergency travel document

Your consulate issues it. Requirements vary by nationality and consulate, so check your own consulate's page before you go. The list of what consulates usually ask for is below.

An emergency travel document is usually valid for a single journey. Some consulates also check your identity by phone or through your home country's authorities, so allow time.

If you do not need to travel, ask your consulate whether you can apply for a full replacement passport instead. A passport, or the emergency document, is what you show at the card appointment.

Step 3: The residence card

The card is the TIE. To replace it:

• Pay the fee with form 790 code 012, at a bank or online, before your appointment. It is a small amount that varies by card type.
• Book an appointment (cita previa) at the police Extranjería office.
• Bring the completed EX-17 form, the denuncia, your passport and a copy, a recent passport-style photo, proof you paid the fee, and proof of address if the office asks.
• Give your fingerprints and ask for the resguardo.

The resguardo shows your status while the new card is made. The new card usually arrives in one to two months. Fee and procedure vary by province, so check with your local Extranjería office.

Does losing the card cost you your status?

No. Your residence stays valid as long as your underlying authorisation is valid. The card is the proof, so the resguardo matters.

Travelling before the new card arrives

The safest course is to wait for the new card. You can usually leave Spain with a valid passport or an emergency travel document, but coming back is not guaranteed. Airlines and border officers normally expect the TIE or a visa, and the border officer decides on entry. Some nationalities also need a visa to re-enter.

If you must travel, ask the Extranjería office first. The decision box below sets out the two options.

If you are an EU citizen

You hold a different certificate or card, so the TIE steps here do not apply to you.

Choosing between options

Should you travel out of Spain before your new residence card arrives?

• Wait for the new card: You can delay the trip. This is the safest choice, because airlines and border officers normally expect your residence card or a visa to let you back in.

• Travel with an emergency travel document and your receipt: You must leave now. Ask the Extranjería office first, since the border officer decides on entry and your nationality may need a visa on top.

If you can wait for the replacement card, wait. If you must travel, ask the Extranjería office before you book, because coming back is not guaranteed.

Re-entry rules differ by nationality and visa requirement, so confirm with the police Extranjería office before travelling.

Timeline and deadlines

• Report the loss or theft to the police and get the denuncia: as soon as you notice the loss, before any other step

• Apply to your consulate for an emergency travel document if you need to travel: after you have the denuncia

• Pay the residence card fee at a bank or online (form 790 code 012): before your police appointment

• Book an appointment at the police Extranjería office and request the duplicate card: once you have the denuncia and your passport or emergency travel document

• Give your fingerprints and collect the receipt (resguardo): at the appointment

• Collect the new residence card: usually one to two months after the appointment

What a consulate asks for to issue an emergency travel document

• Completed application form for an emergency or temporary travel document.

• Proof of identity and nationality, such as a copy of the lost passport, your national ID, your birth certificate or the details of your old passport.

• Police report (denuncia) of the loss or theft of your passport.

• Recent colour passport photos, usually one or two, with a plain light or white background and a neutral expression. The size is commonly 35x45 mm, or 2x2 inches for the United States. Many consulates do not take photos on site, so get them from a photo booth or photographer first.

• Proof of your planned travel, such as a flight ticket or itinerary.

• The fee, which is set by your country and differs between nationalities. Many consulates accept card payment, bank transfer or a money order, and some do not accept cash.

• Proof of Spanish residence or an appointment, if your consulate asks for it.

Checklist

• Report the loss or theft of both documents to the police and keep the denuncia.

• Apply to your consulate with your denuncia, proof of identity and nationality, passport photos and proof of travel.

• Book an appointment at the police Extranjería office to request the duplicate residence card.

• Ask for the receipt (resguardo) after your fingerprints are taken and keep it with you as proof of your status.

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave Spain with an emergency travel document while my residence card is lost?

Yes, you can generally leave Spain with an emergency travel document, but coming back is not guaranteed. Airlines and border officers normally expect your residence card or a visa, and the border officer decides on entry. The safest course is to wait for the replacement card or ask the Extranjería office before you travel.

Do I lose my residence status if my residence card is lost?

No, your residence status stays valid for as long as the underlying permit is valid, even without the card. The receipt (resguardo) you get when you request the duplicate can help show your status while the new card is made.

How long does a replacement residence card take to arrive?

A replacement residence card usually arrives in around one to two months after your appointment. Keep the receipt from that appointment with you until then, because it is your proof while the card is produced.

Will my emergency travel document work for more than one trip?

No, an emergency travel document is usually valid for a single journey. Some nationalities also need a visa on top of it to enter Spain again, so ask your consulate about this before you book.