Renewing your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) involves four main steps: gathering documents, paying the fee, booking an appointment, and attending in person. Here's exactly how each one works.
When to apply
You can apply up to 60 days before your TIE expires. You should apply at least 60 days before, because appointments are scarce in most provinces and the card takes 4–8 weeks to be issued after approval.
If your TIE expires in under 30 days, treat this as urgent and read our article on what to do with an expired TIE in parallel.
Step 1 — Download and complete form EX-17
Form EX-17 is the official application for TIE renewal for non-EU residents. It's available free from the Ministry of Inclusion website.
Fill in:
- Your full name, NIE number, and passport details
- Your current address in Spain
- The type of residency you hold (student, work permit, non-lucrative, etc.)
- The reason for renewal
Print two copies and sign both. The officer keeps one; you keep the other.
If you're unsure how to complete any section, a gestoría can fill it in for you for around €20–40.
Step 2 — Pay the fee (Modelo 790 código 012)
The Modelo 790 is the government fee receipt for TIE renewal. The fee is approximately €16.
How to pay:
1. Go to the official Modelo 790 generator
2. Select Tasa 012 — Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero
3. Fill in your details and print the form
4. Take the printed form to a bank branch (BBVA, Santander, CaixaBank, etc.) and pay at the teller window — not the ATM
5. The bank stamps your receipt — this is your proof of payment
Some provinces now accept online payment. Check your province's extranjería website to confirm.
Step 3 — Gather your documents
The exact documents depend on your residency type, but everyone needs:
Required for all applicants:
- Valid passport + photocopy of all pages with printing
- Current TIE card + photocopy of both sides
- Certificate of empadronamiento issued within the last 3 months (get it from your ayuntamiento — free, usually same day)
- 2 recent passport photos (white background, front-facing, no glasses)
- Completed EX-17 form (2 signed copies)
- Bank-stamped Modelo 790 receipt
Additional documents by residency type:
| Residency type | Extra documents needed |
|---|---|
| Student | University enrollment certificate for current year, proof of funds, health insurance |
| Work permit | Employment contract, last 3 payslips, Vida Laboral from Seguridad Social |
| Non-lucrative | 6 months of bank statements (min ~€2,400/month), private health insurance with no co-payments |
| EU family member | Marriage/relationship certificate (apostilled if foreign), EU citizen's NIE and passport |
| Digital nomad | Remote work contract, client contracts or invoices, 3–6 months bank statements, health insurance |
| Long-term (5+ yrs) | Documents proving 5 years continuous legal residence (previous TIE cards, padron history, tax returns) |
Step 4 — Book your appointment
Appointments are handled through the national appointment portal:
Book appointment at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es
Select your province → Policía — Expedición de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero → fill in your NIE and passport number.
Tips:
- Appointments are released daily, often at midnight and 8am. Check repeatedly if slots are full.
- If you have a digital certificate or Cl@ve, you can use some provinces' online systems.
- If the portal rejects your booking, contact the Brigada Provincial de Extranjería directly.
Step 5 — Attend your appointment
Arrive 10 minutes early with all documents in the order they were listed above. Bring originals and photocopies of everything.
The officer will check your documents, take your fingerprints, and give you a provisional document (resguardo). Your TIE card is typically ready 4–8 weeks later — you collect it from the same office, or receive a notification by text or email.
Common mistakes that cause rejections
- Empadronamiento more than 3 months old — get a fresh one within the week before your appointment
- EX-17 form not signed, or only one copy
- Modelo 790 paid online but no bank stamp — some offices still require the stamped bank receipt
- Photos not on white background, or slightly wrong size
- Missing photocopies — bring extras of everything
Do you need a digital certificate?
Not strictly required, but it helps significantly. With a certificado digital or Cl@ve Permanente you can book appointments online in more provinces, check the status of your application, and access most government services without queuing.
Getting Cl@ve Permanente is free and takes about 10 minutes at any Correos post office with your passport and NIE — well worth doing before your appointment.