Exchanging your green residency (A4 or credit-card sized), for a TIE (Target Identificacion Extranjeros)

Adapted from advice supplied by Anne Hernandez of Brexpats in Spain...

We all know or at least I hope we all do, that if we already have a green residency (A4 or credit-card sized), exchanging it for a TIE is optional because it guarantees our rights as beneficiaries of the WA. You do not have to exchange it for a TIE card.  However, despite realising that it could not process the exchange of some 367,000 British residents, it would seem that the Spanish authorities anticipated a rush from us to exchange our TIEs and dedicated TIE staff are apparently sitting at their desks with their arms folded!

So, any of you who are thinking of exchanging your green residency for a TIE sooner rather than later or never, you can do so now. I am cautiously writing this because I can foresee the queues and, as we all know August might as well be deleted from the calendar in Spain because many public services work on skeleton staff, by the time that September comes there will be a backlog and appointments will likely clash then with those new first time applicants who, unlike us, only have until 31 December to apply.

So what do you need to do?

1. Make an appointment online or by digital signature at the Oficina de Extranjeros in Almeria City.

2. Get a current (within last 3 months) Padrón if possible, from your Town Hall. Some functionarios are asking for it, others are not. So to be on the safe side, take your original and a copy. It will be required if you have changed address from the address on your green residency. Be advised that Town Halls are operating only by appointnment and there could be a delay at yours if you need to update your padrón. 

3. Complete the application EX23, print it and make a copy.

4. Complete the Modelo 790-12, print it (4 pages) and pay it at a bank before the appointment (€12). Attach the receipt.

5. Take your original passport - and a photocopy of your passport photo pages.

6. Take a passport-sized colour photograph (32 x 26mm)

7.Take your original green residency and a copy (both sides)

At the appointment the documentation will be taken as will your fingerprints. You will then be given an appointment to return within about five weeks to collect the TIE card. Your green residency certificate will be handed back to you.

At the Oficina de Extranjeros in Almeria City: my own experience on 31 July

You need to arrive 30-45 mins early for your appointment as there is a queue of others with masks and social distanced outside at the front. Masks have to be worn throughout your appointment and it's advisable to wear a standard blue one - someone with a cloth one was turned away.

A security guard allows one/a couple in whenever anyone exits the building. Inside the entrance you go through metal detection screening, as with airport security. Then there is a machine nearby, key in your NIE and then take the number slip, go and sit in the social spaced waiting room - not as packed as it used to be!

After a few minutes your number comes up on the screen with the desk allocated. If there are two of you, your appointments will be consecutive and you cannot sit together at the desk. The functionario is behind a screen and you really don't have to say anything, s/he will look at and sort the papers you supply. You may be asked to briefly remove your mask for ID purposes. They will ask you to press each of your index fingers onto a pad-gizmo, and will then indicate to roll it from side to side until the machine gives a satisfactory result, this may take several goes! And then you are given a return paper giving the date you should return to collect the printed TIE.

Don't forget to bring your passport and green card with you when you collect your TIE.

Good Luck!