If you move to Madrid as a non-EU citizen, you must apply for a physical residency card. This guide explains how to get your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) step by step.
What is a TIE card?
The physical plastic card that proves your legal residency in Spain is called the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE). It serves as your official photo identification card in Spain.
The card displays your name, photo, fingerprint, residency type, and card expiry date. It also displays your unique foreigner identification number.
This number is the Número de Identificación de Extranjero (NIE). The NIE is just a tax number, while the TIE is the physical card itself.
Check your timeline
You must apply for your TIE card within 30 days of arriving in Spain. This period is calculated in calendar days from the date of your entry stamp.
If you received your residency approval while inside Spain, the 30 days start from the date of your approval letter.
You must secure a fingerprinting appointment within this 30-day window. Do not delay your application because finding appointments in Madrid is extremely difficult.
Step 1: Register your address (Empadronamiento)
You must register your home address at the local town hall before applying for the TIE card. This address registration process is called the empadronamiento.
You will receive an official certificate showing your registered address. You must bring this certificate to your TIE appointment.
The police will use the exact address on your registration certificate to print your TIE card.
The empadronamiento: How to register your address in Madrid
Step 2: Book your fingerprinting appointment (Cita Previa)
You must book an appointment online to submit your fingerprints. This appointment is called a cita previa (prior appointment).
How to book the appointment online
Use the official government portal called the Sede Electrónica de las Administraciones Públicas. Follow these steps to book your slot:
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Select Madrid from the list of provinces.
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Select Policía-Toma de huellas (Expedición de tarjeta) from the procedures drop-down menu.
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Fill in your personal details, including your NIE and passport number.
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Select the police station office and pick an available date and time.
Tips for finding available appointments
Appointments are highly scarce in Madrid. The booking system frequently displays messages stating that no slots are available.
Check the government booking website daily. The system usually releases new slots on Monday mornings at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM.
You can also try checking late at night or early in the morning. If you cannot find a slot, you might need to hire a local tax advisor to book it.
How Madrid’s immigration office (ExtranjerÃÂa) works
Step 3: Pay the TIE application tax
You must pay an administrative fee before attending your appointment. This fee is called a tasa.
How to complete the tax form
You must generate the tax form online. Use the official form titled Modelo 790 Código 012.
Select the option that matches your residency type. For a first-time temporary residency card, select TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal.
The fee for the first-time TIE card in 2026 is €16.08. Print all three pages of the completed form.
How to pay the tax
Take the printed pages to any local bank or ATM in Madrid. You can pay the fee in cash or use your debit card at the machine.
The bank teller or the ATM will print a receipt stamp on the form. This stamp is your official proof of payment.
Step 4: Prepare your documents
You must bring all required documents to your fingerprinting appointment. If you miss any document, the police officers will reject your application.
Required document checklist
- Form EX-17 : Download the official form EX-17 online. Fill it out in Spanish and sign two copies.
- Passport : Bring your original passport and a complete copy of every page, including blank pages.
- Visa and entry stamp : A copy of your Spanish visa page and the stamp showing your entry date.
- Residency approval letter : The official document proving your residency is approved.
- Padrón certificate : Your proof of address registration. This certificate must be less than 3 months old.
- Modelo 790 Código 012 : The paid tax form showing the bank stamp or ATM payment receipt.
- Passport photos : Three recent passport-sized color photos with a plain white background.
- Cita previa confirmation : The printed page showing your appointment details and code.
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Step 5: Attend your appointment (Toma de Huellas)
Go to the police station address listed on your appointment sheet. This fingerprinting procedure is called the toma de huellas.
Office locations in Madrid
A common location for TIE appointments is the police station on Avenida de los Poblados 51. The nearest metro station is Aluche.
Another common station is on Calle de San Felipe 7, near the Tetuán metro station. Verify the address on your booking sheet.
What happens at the police station
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Security guards will inspect your appointment sheet at the entrance.
You will hand your documents to the police officer. The officer will verify your details and passport.
They will scan your index fingers on an electronic scanner to record your prints.
At the end of the appointment, the officer will stamp your Form EX-17 and return a receipt page. This receipt is called the resguardo de solicitud (application receipt).
Keep this receipt safe. It serves as temporary proof of your legal status while your card is being printed.
Step 6: Pick up your physical TIE card
Your physical card will be ready for collection 30 to 45 days after your fingerprinting appointment. This pickup process is called the recogida de tarjeta (card collection).
You must book a separate appointment online to collect your card. Select the procedure titled Policía-Recogida de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE).
You must go to the same police station where you submitted your fingerprints.
Bring these documents to your collection appointment:
- Original passport : Your valid passport.
- Resguardo de solicitud : The stamped receipt from your fingerprinting appointment.
The officer will scan your fingerprint again to verify your identity. They will collect your receipt and hand over your physical TIE card.
How the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) works
If you cannot find an appointment
You might struggle to book an appointment within the required 30-day window. You should not panic in this situation.
The police will not deport you for missing the 30-day limit, provided you have a valid residency approval letter. The most important requirement is that you entered the country legally.
Keep checking the online booking system daily. Take screenshots of the booking errors showing that no slots are available. These screenshots serve as proof that you tried to apply.
Questions and answers
Can I travel outside Spain while waiting for my TIE card?
No. Your temporary receipt is not valid for international travel. If you must travel outside Spain, you must apply for a return authorization. This document is called an autorización de regreso (return authorization).
What should I do if my TIE card has a typo?
Ask for a correction immediately. Check all printed details on your TIE card before you leave the collection window. If you spot a typo, ask the officer to correct it on the spot.
How long is the TIE card valid?
Depends on your residency type. Student TIE cards are usually valid for one year. Work residency cards can be valid for one, two, or four years.
What should I do if I lose my TIE card?
File a police report. Visit the nearest police station to report the loss or theft. Then, book a new fingerprinting appointment to request a duplicate card.
Do children need their own TIE cards?
Yes. Every non-EU family member must apply for their own physical TIE card. Parents must accompany their children to the fingerprinting appointments.
