By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Accept
The Spanish EyeThe Spanish EyeThe Spanish Eye
Notification Show More
  • Home
  • News
  • Travel
  • Events
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Property
  • Opinion
  • About Us
  • Contact
Reading: British expats in Spain: How to exchange your green residency certificate for a TIE card
Share
The Spanish EyeThe Spanish Eye
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Travel
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Property
  • Opinion
  • About Us
  • Contact
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
The Spanish Eye > Life in Spain > British expats in Spain: How to exchange your green residency certificate for a TIE card
Life in Spain

British expats in Spain: How to exchange your green residency certificate for a TIE card

Last updated: April 25, 2025 9:40 pm
The Spanish Eye
Published: April 25, 2025
Share
SHARE

Since Brexit, British expats in Spain are no longer EU citizens, and must prove they have the right to reside in the country.

Contents
1. Check your eligibility2. Book an Appointment (Cita Previa)3. Prepare Your DocumentsFor holders of the green certificado de registro (EU residence certificate):4. Pay the Fee (Modelo 790 Codigo 012)5. Go to Your Appointment6. Collect Your TIE

Previously, this was done via a green paper certificate, but the Spanish government now issues TIE cards instead.

While the paper certificate is still valid, it will not be accepted at the Spanish border once the EU’s new EES system comes into force.

Brits are therefore being urged to exchange their green residency certificate for a TIE. Below is complete guide on how to do so.

1. Check your eligibility

You can apply if:

Subscription Options

Help keep The Spanish Eye free to read

The Spanish Eye is the ONLY quality English news site in Spain that is completely free to read. We believe quality journalism should be available to anyone and everyone, and hope to keep it that way for as long as possible. Our exclusive stories are constantly followed up by international outlets, making us a respected and agenda-setting news source. To be able to carry out such work, we rely on the support of our tens of thousands of loyal readers.

Please donate what you can

Subscribe

Please donate what you can



Amount: €250

Continue
  • You are a British national who resided in Spain before 31 December 2020.
  • You hold a green residence certificate (either the credit-card size or A4 version).
  • You are already registered in Spain and have your NIE number.

2. Book an Appointment (Cita Previa)

Visit the official appointment booking site: 👉 https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplustie

  • Choose your province, e.g Malaga or Alicante.
  • Select ‘Policía – Toma de huella (expedición de tarjeta)‘ for Withdrawal Agreement applicants.
  • Follow the steps to book your appointment.
  • Appointments can be hard to get, check often, especially early mornings or late evenings.

3. Prepare Your Documents

Bring originals and copies of the following:

For holders of the green certificado de registro (EU residence certificate):

  • Your passport (valid and not expired).
  • Your green EU certificate (A4 or small card).
  • Completed EX-23 form: Download here (official)
  • Modelo 790 Codigo 012 tax form, paid (see next step).
  • Recent passport-sized photo (Spanish size: 32x26mm, white background).
  • Appointment confirmation (print/email proof).

4. Pay the Fee (Modelo 790 Codigo 012)

This is a small admin fee of around €12.

  • Download and complete the Modelo 790 012 form online: https://sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/
  • Under ‘TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)‘, select:
    • ‘Certificado de Residencia Temporal…‘ – specifically under Brexit/Withdrawal Agreement option.
  • Submit and print the form, then pay it at any bank or ATM.

5. Go to Your Appointment

At the Oficina de Extranjería or police station, bring all required documents. You’ll:

  • Provide fingerprints.
  • Submit documents.
  • Be given a resguardo (receipt) stating when to collect your TIE (usually in 30 to 45 days).

6. Collect Your TIE

  • Return to the same police station where you applied.
  • Bring:
    • Passport
    • Resguardo (receipt)

They’ll verify your identity and hand over your new TIE card.

Watch: Warning as smoke from Catalonia wildfire fills skies above Alicante – including Torrevieja
Warning after five men drown on Spain’s Costa Blanca – including two while snorkeling
Spain issues first extreme heat warnings for 2025: Andalucia will be hotter than Africa
Brits stunned after Estepona chiringuito charges diner for two ice cubes – amid backlash over surge in ‘luxury’ venues
Ambulance driver in Spain repeatedly pulled over for churros and coffee with patients on board, tribunal hears
TAGGED:brexitspain newsTIE

Sign Up For Newsletters

Be kept up to date! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Share This Article
Facebook Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Follow

Find us on Social Media
FacebookLike
XFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
Popular News
AndaluciaCrimeNews

Spain’s war on ‘narco submarines’: How underwater vessels carry tonnes of South American cocaine via the new ‘African Route’

Laurence Dollimore
April 6, 2025
‘Heat dome’ hits Europe: Majority of Spain is placed on alert ahead of 43C heatwave
‘I’ll never give up’: Brother of missing US banker’s anguish more than two months after he vanished from Spain’s Costa del Sol
Spain cracks down on cash: What you should know to avoid fines of €150,000
Weather alerts across Spain on Monday: Severe heat in Malaga – but heavy RAIN in Alicante, Valencia and Mallorca

Categories

  • News
  • Costa del Sol
  • Crime
  • Costa Blanca
  • Andalucia
  • weather
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Canaries
  • Life in Spain

The Spanish Eye

Your first look at what’s happening in Spain - All the latest news, opinion and analysis
Quick Link
  • Home
  • News
  • Register for Free access
  • Contact
Top Categories
  • News
  • Travel
  • Health
  • Property

Get News straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Please wait…

Thank you for signing up!

© The Spanish Eye 2024 - All rights reserved | Privacy Policy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

Not a member? Sign Up