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Renew a TIE in Spain: residence authorisation or card only

Start by identifying whether you must renew a temporary residence authorisation or only the physical card for long-term residence. They are different procedures.

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Do I renew my residence authorisation or only my TIE card?

  1. Read the exact authorisation on your card or resolution

    Do not choose a procedure from the NIE number or the word TIE alone. Identify the full authorisation name and whether it is temporary, long-term national or long-term EU; that distinction controls the route.

    https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/servicios-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-gestiones/extranjeria/regimen-general/tarjeta-de-identidad-de-extranjero →

  2. If it is temporary, renew the authorisation first

    Use the Ministry information sheet for the exact permit, such as non-lucrative, employed, self-employed, family, study or another route. Its eligibility, evidence, submission channel, fee and deadline control this stage; do not calculate a universal window from the plastic card alone.

    https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/residencia →

  3. If it is long-term, use the card-renewal route

    Long-term national and long-term EU residence have a dedicated physical-card renewal. Current Articles 178 and 185 set a card window of the two months before expiry and the three months after; filing after expiry can have sanction consequences, but card expiry alone does not extinguish long-term residence.

    https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2024/11/19/1155 →

  4. Move to the Police card stage only when appropriate

    For a temporary authorisation, Police says to request the new TIE after the renewal has been approved and the favourable decision notified. For long-term card renewal, follow the dedicated Police procedure rather than applying again for indefinite residence.

    https://sede.policia.gob.es/portalCiudadano/_es/tramites_extranjeria_tramite_tarjeta_residencia_residenciaytrabajo.php/index.php →

  5. Use the current fee and appointment pages

    Open the current National Police fee directory, follow its Modelo 790 Código 012 route and select the exact TIE option. Then use the corresponding Police appointment procedure for your province, rely only on official availability and save the confirmation.

    https://sede.policia.gob.es/portalCiudadano/_es/tramites_extranjeria_tasas.php →

  6. Follow the appointment and collection instructions you receive

    Bring the documents named by your exact official procedure and appointment confirmation, keep the receipt or resguardo, and follow that office's collection instructions. Padrón evidence is listed for a card renewal when your address changed; there is no safe national promise for collection timing.

    https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/servicios-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-gestiones/extranjeria/regimen-general/tarjeta-de-identidad-de-extranjero →

Use this as a route decision, not a universal checklist

Temporary-authorisation renewal and long-term card renewal are different tasks. The exact authorisation name, official information sheet, decision and appointment confirmation are more reliable than a copied checklist.

Guiri can explain redacted wording from a real resolution, request, appointment confirmation or collection slip. It cannot decide eligibility, file the application or book an appointment.

  • Match the exact authorisation name to the Ministry information sheet.
  • Do not move to the Police card step before your route allows it.
  • Save the resolution, appointment confirmation, fee proof and collection receipt.

Common questions about TIE renewal

Do I renew my NIE, my authorisation or my TIE?
The NIE is the personal identifier. A temporary resident normally renews the underlying authorisation first and requests a new TIE after approval. A long-term resident generally renews the physical card when it expires.
Which date starts my renewal window?
For temporary residence, use the authorisation expiry and the current information sheet for that exact permit, not an assumed card date. For long-term national or EU card renewal, Articles 178 and 185 use the TIE card's expiry and state two months before and three months after.
What documents do I need, and when can I collect the card?
Temporary-authorisation evidence varies by permit. The Police card route links the EX-17 and Modelo 790 Código 012, while long-term renewal has its own document rules. Follow the exact official procedure, appointment confirmation and office collection instructions rather than a universal list or fixed wait.
Sources

Official sources

This is general information, not legal advice. Guiri is not a lawyer or gestor. Always check the official portal linked above, and consult a professional for your specific case.