The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is Spain's mandatory biometric residence card for non-EU/EEA citizens who hold a visa or residence permit to stay in Spain for more than 6 months. It contains your photo, fingerprints, NIE number, and residence authorisation. You need it to open a bank account, sign a rental contract, access healthcare, and travel within the Schengen area. Without a TIE, even a valid visa is not sufficient proof of legal residency for most daily procedures.

You must apply for your TIE within 30 days of entering Spain on your residence visa. This is a legal requirement. Failing to apply within this window can result in a fine and complications with your residency status. Start the process as soon as you arrive — the sooner you begin preparing documents and registering your address, the better.

The empadronamiento is your official municipal address registration at your local town hall (ayuntamiento). Spanish police require a valid empadronamiento certificate at the time of your biometrics appointment. If you arrive without it, your application will be rejected on the day — regardless of how complete your other documents are. This is the first step in the TIE process and must be completed before your police appointment.

EX-17 is used by students, NLV holders, and self-employed individuals — anyone whose residency falls under the general immigration framework (Ley Orgánica 4/2000). MI-TIE is used by Digital Nomad Visa holders, investors, and entrepreneurs under the Entrepreneurs Act (Ley 14/2013). Using the wrong form will result in rejection. We identify the correct form for your specific visa type and complete it for you.

The government fee for a TIE card is paid via Modelo 790 código 012, currently approximately €16–19 depending on the type of residence. This fee is paid at a Spanish bank before your biometrics appointment and the receipt must be presented on the day. With our In-Person Support plan, we pay this fee in advance on your behalf — so you arrive with everything already covered.

After your biometrics appointment, the TIE card is typically ready for collection in approximately 30 days. In Barcelona, cards are printed in batches and issued centrally at the police station on Carrer de Mallorca 213. You can track your batch number online. Some police stations require a separate appointment to collect the card; others allow walk-in collection during specific hours.

Yes. Spouses, partners, and dependent children included in your residence authorisation each need their own TIE card and their own biometrics appointment. Each person requires a complete, separate document set. We prepare the full family file together and provide individual checklists for each applicant. Our family member pricing applies for each additional person beyond the main applicant.

Our Remote Support plan is available to clients anywhere in Spain — we prepare all documents and provide full guidance online. Our In-Person Support plan, where we accompany you to appointments, is available in Barcelona and the Zone 1 metropolitan area, including Hospitalet de Llobregat, Badalona, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Cornellà, Esplugues, and neighbouring municipalities.