Since July 6th 2020, a new residency document has been available for British people resident in Spain, following the UK’s exit from the EU. A plastic TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad Extranjero) replaces the previous paper EU Residence Certificate, otherwise known as the green residency document.
Age In Spain is now appealing to those people who have not yet applied to exchange their green document for a TIE to do so as soon as possible. The organisation, which provides information and support to English speakers living in Spain, is here to help those who want to make the exchange.
An Age in Spain poll conducted on social media suggests that the majority of those people who need proof that they are resident in Spain have either received or are in the process of applying for their TIE. But a substantial minority have been deterred from applying for a variety of reasons. Some are worried about not being able to deal with the bureaucracy involved, don’t know where to start, or don’t feel it’s important, while others just haven’t got around to it.
Many people feel that since the paper certificate is valid indefinitely, it’s preferable to the TIE which needs to be renewed every ten years. But there are serious disadvantages to relying on the paper certificate, as some Spanish authorities no longer accept it as proof of identity or residency.
Helen Weir, chief executive of Age in Spain, has reports of people encountering such problems when they only have the paper certificate: “Some administrative bodies in Spain have stopped recognising the green residency document. In particular, the Employment Office (Oficina de Empleo) have recognised only the TIE since January of this year. So, if you are in employment, on ERTE, or receiving unemployment benefit, you must apply for a TIE.”
“There are many advantages to having the TIE, not just its durability. It is evidence that you are officially resident in Spain, it’s valid ID and all you need for internal travel in Spain, and it shows clearly that you are under the scope of Britain’s Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, but most importantly, it is recognised by every administrative body in Spain.”
If you would like help in applying for your TIE, call Age In Spain on (+34) 932 209 741, between 10am and 2pm, or email info@ageinspain.org no matter what age you are.
You can also go to www.ageinspain.org here they have tools that will help you navigate the application process, even if you don’t speak Spanish. Unlike driving licences, it’s not too late to do this, so why are you waiting!
