exchange residence certificate for TIE

Hi Brian, at the moment all exchanges are taking place in Alicante which requires 2 visits there. I'm hoping that once the system has bedded in and the backlog cleared, that the process might be rolled out to regional towns. We don't know if it will be, we just have to wait and see if it will!

Steve

Hi Brian

what I don't understand is why anyone with permanent residency (the green form) would want to exchange it for a temporary residency ( the TIE card)  which is only valid for 5 years. Please explain! 

Yokwan

If you have a "Permanent" green residency card then you get a 10 year TIE card. At the moment there is no need to exchange a permanent green card for a TIE. 

Steve 

Hi Steve

As you predicted, it no longer has to be Alicante, a number of my friends have recently done it in Torrevieja.

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve

What I have is a 'permanent residency' green certificate, not a card. The question is do i have to have a TIE card? which as I understand it is for those who have not qualified for permanent residency as they have not lived in Spain for 5 years, therefore the TIE card only lasts for 5 years which is the qualifying period of time to be a permanent resident. Also I didn't know that  a 10 year TIE card is available! It seems to be very confusing. 

Yokwan

What you are saying is not correct. I have lived in Spain for 7 years and have a permanent residency card. It is the green credit card size. I am exchanging my residency card for a tie which will last for 10 years. If you have lived in Spain for less than 5 years and exchange your residency card for a TIE then it will last for 5 years.

A TIE is useful to a lot of Expats as you don't have to carry your passport with you. It acts as your identity card.

Lastly....if you have a permanent residency card there is no need to exchange it for a TIE unless you want to. 

Steve