Renewing your long-term residence card
Before starting the procedure: requirements and procedures may change. Check the information applicable to your case and consult the relevant official sources.
Renewing your long-term residence card is the procedure for updating your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) when it is about to expire or has recently expired. It is important to distinguish between long-term residence authorization, which allows you to live and work in Spain indefinitely, and the physical card, which does need to be renewed periodically.
This guide explains clearly and practically when to renew your long-term residence card, which documents you need, what fee to pay, how to book an appointment, where to complete the procedure, and which mistakes to avoid.
Quick summary
Key points on renewing your long-term residence card
Important: Do not confuse this procedure with an initial application for long-term residence. If you have already been granted long-term residence, you are usually renewing the physical card. Form EX-17 and the Form 790, Code 012 fee are generally used for this procedure.
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What it means to renew your long-term residence card
Long-term residence allows you to live and work in Spain indefinitely under conditions similar to those for Spanish citizens. However, the Foreigner Identity Card, known as the TIE, has an expiry date and must be renewed.
So, when we talk about renewing your long-term residence card, we are not usually talking about applying for residence from scratch, but about renewing the physical document that proves your legal status.
This is important because many people worry when they see that their card is expiring. Long-term residence authorization does not automatically lapse if you fail to renew the card by the deadline, although practical problems and possible penalties may arise if you do not meet the obligation to renew the document.
When to renew your long-term residence card
The long-term residence card must be renewed before it expires. It is advisable to start preparing for the procedure well in advance, especially because getting an appointment can be difficult in some provinces.
| When | What happens | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months before expiry | This is the recommended period for applying for renewal. | Book an appointment, pay the fee and prepare your documents. |
| Recently expired card | You can still apply for renewal within the following 3 months. | Act as soon as possible to avoid problems. |
| Expired for more than 3 months | The authorization does not expire automatically, but you may encounter issues. | Check your situation before travelling or carrying out important procedures. |
Tip: Don’t wait until the last day. Although the procedure is relatively straightforward, getting an appointment, paying the fee, obtaining a photograph or completing your municipal registration can cause delays if you leave everything until the last minute.
How often does long-term residence need to be renewed?
As a general rule, the long-term residence card must be renewed every 5 years. However, under the current regulations, the card’s validity period may vary according to the holder’s age for the second and subsequent renewals.
Documents required to renew a long-term residence card
The documents usually required to renew a long-term residence card are simpler than those needed to renew a temporary residence permit. Even so, you should make sure everything is properly prepared.
Basic documentation
- Completed and signed EX-17 form.
- Valid, complete passport or travel document recognised as valid in Spain.
- Previous Foreigner Identity Card (TIE), even if it is about to expire or has recently expired.
- Recent photograph in colour, with a white background and passport-photo size.
- Proof of payment of fee 790, Code 012.
- Municipal registration certificate if you have changed address or the office requires it.
At your appointment, you may be asked to show original documents and provide copies. It is therefore advisable to bring your original passport, previous card, appointment confirmation and copies of the main documents.
Do you need to prove you have sufficient financial means or social security contributions?
For renewal of the physical card for long-term residence, you generally do not need to prove that you have sufficient financial means, an employment contract, a minimum level of social security contributions or health insurance as a primary requirement of the procedure.
This distinguishes it from many temporary residence renewals. The person already holds a recognised long-term residence authorization; therefore, the procedure focuses on renewing the document that proves this status.
Important: If you do not yet have long-term residence and want to apply for it for the first time, this is a different procedure, with different requirements, a Form 790, Code 052 fee and a different application form.
Related guides
These pages may also help you complete the procedure:
Which fee do you pay to renew your long-term residence card?
To renew your long-term residence card, you would normally use the Form 790, Code 012 fee, which is linked to police procedures for foreign nationals’ identity documents.
This fee should not be confused with the Form 790, Code 052 fee, which is used for other immigration procedures, or the Form 790, Code 026 fee, which is used for Spanish citizenship by residence.
| Fee | Common use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Code 790, Form 012 | Police procedures for foreign nationals’ identity documents. | Renewal of a long-term TIE. |
| Code 790, Form 052 | Residence authorizations and other administrative procedures. | Initial application for long-term residence, arraigo, authorizations or administrative renewals. |
| Code 790, Form 026 | Procedures handled by the Ministry of Justice. | Spanish citizenship by residence. |
How to book an appointment to renew your long-term residence card
Renewing a long-term TIE usually requires an appointment at the police station or designated office in the province where you live. In the appointment booking system, the procedure may appear under names such as fingerprinting, card issuance, long-term card renewal, or a similar name, depending on the province.
Typical steps for booking an appointment
- Go to the official immigration appointment booking system.
- Select your province.
- Look for the procedure related to the police, fingerprinting or TIE issuance/renewal.
- Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your card.
- Choose an available date and time.
- Save your appointment confirmation to bring with you on the day of the procedure.
If no appointments are available, do not book an appointment for a completely different procedure. It is better to check availability at other times or see whether your province provides specific instructions.
Where to renew your card
Renewals are normally handled at the Police Station or the designated foreign nationals’ documentation office for the applicant’s place of residence.
In some cases, official information may refer to Immigration Offices or police services. It is therefore essential to check your appointment confirmation, which will show the exact address, the procedure selected and the documents you need to bring.
Step-by-step guide to renewing your long-term residence card
- Check the expiry date on your current TIE.
- Book an appointment for the correct Police/Immigration procedure.
- Fill in form EX-17 with your up-to-date details.
- Pay the fee for form 790, code 012, and keep the receipt.
- Prepare your passport, previous card and photograph in the correct format.
- Attend the appointment in person with the originals and copies.
- Have your fingerprints taken if required.
- Collect your new card when it is ready, following the police station’s instructions.
Can I travel with an expired long-term residence card?
Travelling with an expired card can cause problems, especially when returning to Spain or going through border controls. Although long-term residence authorization does not automatically expire when the card does, the physical document is what proves your status to third parties.
If you need to travel and your card has expired or is being renewed, you may need a return authorization, especially if you are leaving Spain and do not yet have your new TIE.
Before travelling
- Check your card’s expiry date.
- Check whether you have proof of renewal or a receipt for your application.
- Find out whether you need a return authorization.
- Do not travel with only your expired card without first confirming your situation.
What happens if my long-term residence card has expired?
If your card has already expired, it is best to book an appointment and renew it as soon as possible. Applying within 3 months of the expiry date may extend the validity of your previous card until a decision is made on the procedure, although you may be subject to a penalty for applying after the deadline before expiry.
If more than 3 months have passed, this does not automatically mean that you have lost your long-term residence status, but you may have problems travelling, working, handling bank procedures, renewing documents or proving your legal status.
General guidance
Has your long-term residence card expired?
If you are unsure which appointment to book, which fee to pay or whether you can travel, check your situation before making a mistake.
Common mistakes when renewing a long-term residence card
Although the procedure may seem straightforward, some common mistakes can cause you to lose your appointment or delay the issue of your new card:
- Booking an appointment for the wrong procedure.
- Paying the wrong fee, for example, fee 052 instead of fee 012.
- Bringing a photograph that does not meet the required format.
- Attending without the completed EX-17 form.
- Not bringing a valid passport.
- Not providing proof of municipal registration if you have changed address.
- Waiting until your card has been expired for months.
- Trying to travel with an expired card without a return authorization when one may be required.
Frequently asked questions about renewing the long-term residence card
What is renewed: the residence authorization or the card?
For long-term residence, it is normally the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE)—the physical document—that is renewed. The long-term residence authorization allows you to live and work in Spain indefinitely.
When should I renew my long-term residence card?
You must submit your application during the 2 months before the card expires. You can also submit it within the 3 months after it expires, although applying outside the recommended period may result in penalties.
How often does the long-term residence card need to be renewed?
You apply for the first renewal after 5 years. Subsequent renewals are required every 5 years until the cardholder turns 30, and every 10 years thereafter, according to the current official information.
What documents do I need to renew the card?
You will normally need Form EX-17, a valid passport, your previous card, a recent colour photograph with a white background, proof of payment of the Form 790, Code 012 fee, and a municipal registration certificate if you have changed address or the office requires one.
What fee do I have to pay?
The fee normally used to renew a long-term residence card is Form 790, Code 012, which applies to police procedures for foreign nationals’ identity documents.
Do I need an employment contract or social security contributions?
An employment contract or a minimum level of social security contributions is not usually a key requirement for renewing the physical long-term residence card. This differs from many temporary residence renewals.
What happens if I do not renew the card within the deadline?
Failing to renew the card on time does not automatically terminate the long-term residence authorization, but it may cause practical problems and lead to possible penalties. It is advisable to renew it as soon as possible.
Can I travel with an expired card?
Travelling with an expired card may cause problems when you return to Spain. If you need to leave the country while your card is being renewed, check whether you need a return authorization.
Final note: renewing a long-term residence card is a document-related procedure, but it is still important to complete it correctly. Always check the appointment, form, fee and documents required by the relevant police station or office.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional legal advice or information provided by the competent authorities.
