British citizens living in Spain are being urged by both the Spanish and UK governments to obtain the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE), the biometric residency card, ahead of the launch of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), expected to come into force this autumn.
The recommendation came following a meeting on Wednesday in Madrid between Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and his UK counterpart, Yvette Cooper, during which they discussed ongoing cooperation, including the importance of ensuring British residents are properly documented under post-Brexit regulations.
Current ‘Green Card’ Will No Longer Be Valid for the New System
Once the EES is operational, it will automatically record entries and exits of third-country nationals at the EU’s external borders. Under the system, anyone not holding the correct documentation will be treated as a short-term visitor, subject to the 90 days in any 180-day period rule within the Schengen area, which includes Spain and the Canary Islands.
Many British residents in Spain are still using the older EU Certificate of Registration, commonly referred to as the ‘green card’. However, this document will no longer exempt them from the new EES registration system, meaning they could be mistakenly flagged as overstaying if they exceed the 90-day rule.
To avoid this, residents will need to visit a National Police station and present proof of residency in order to have the system corrected, a process that could prove time-consuming and complicated if not handled in advance.
TIE: The Only Accepted Proof of Residency
The TIE, which includes a facial image and biometric data such as fingerprints, will be the only document recognised by the EES as proof of legal residency in Spain and therefore exempt its holder from being recorded as a short-term visitor.
Grande-Marlaska reminded residents: “The TIE is the official identification card for non-EU nationals living in Spain, granting access to all the rights protected under current legislation.”
50,000 Brits Still Don’t Have a TIE
Between 2020 and June 2025, Spanish authorities issued over 138,000 permanent and 101,000 temporary TIE cards to British citizens, along with thousands more for family members. Despite this, it is estimated that around 50,000 British nationals still haven’t made the switch from their old EU registration certificates.
To help meet demand, the National Police has reinforced staff at immigration offices, especially in regions with high British populations such as the Valencian Community, Andalusia, and the Balearic Islands.
Act Now to Avoid Travel Problems
With the introduction of the EES drawing closer, both ministers stressed the urgency of applying for the TIE as soon as possible to avoid disruptions to international travel, particularly at border control when entering or leaving the Schengen area.
For more information on how to apply for the TIE, British residents can visit the Spanish government’s immigration portal or contact their local immigration office or British Consulate.
