do we need to apply for TIE cards in feb

It's a bit up in the air at the moment, but as self-employed and paying into the social security system then I can't see you having a problem.

None of us can apply for a TIE yet, as the system hasn't yet been announced for this, and it can't be done under existing procedures. I personally hope that they'll introduce a new EX form and set of procedures. I've got a note in my diary to start checking for this after Feb 1st.

As regards the system being overloaded, I very much doubt it. I'd guess that the vast majority of people will only do it when they have to, or when they have feedback from people who have done it.

At the moment the declared front-runners for applying for a TIE are RayD and myself, so watch this space for a Ray's guide or a Jim's guide. Or some other forum member may be quietly waiting in the wings and hoping to gazump us!

I've already got mine.

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Ok, I lied, I haven't....

Merry Christmas James!

Steve

once brexit is done then will brits who have residency cards but actually live in Spain just under 6 months lose their right to residency in spain?

will the spanish government track how long we actually physically stay in spain through our entry and exits on our passports?

My thoughts ..

A) 90 days you will still be considered Resident, I dont think that's changing 

B) If they decide to stamp passports then the risk of overstay is obviously very easy to track. Will they have the motivation to do that? Probably because it's a very easy way to monitor. The issue then becomes one of open borders by vehicle and would require France and Belgium to stamp passports at ferry ports. 

Will be interesting to see what happens.

I haven't researched it, because we don't yet know for sure what rules are going to be applicable, but potentially yes - an absence of six months or more could equate to surrendering the right of residence, and having to go through the application procedure again on return.

I'm personally sure that passport data for UK citizens will be on the same system as non-EU citizens, and that time spent in Spain will be monitored.

What I don't know is whether or not border control data for all EU countries is integrated, so the system could then give time spent in the EU, or whether each country only has its own data, in which case the only information readily available will be time spent in Spain.

With current electronic databases, is it necessary to stamp passports?