Moving to another country can be both exciting and stressful! I remember when I first moved to Spain – everything felt so new and different. One of the first things you’ll need to take care of is getting your Spanish ID card, also known as the foreigner identity card or TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). This little card is super important – it proves your legal residence in Spain and you’ll need to carry it with you all the time.
Without that handy Spanish ID, you can’t open a bank account, get a phone contract, or find an apartment. So let’s make sure you know exactly what to do! The application process isn’t too bad, you just need some paperwork like your passport, proof of address, and patience for a few weeks of bureaucracy. But once you get that card, you’ll really feel settled in your new Spanish life!
Okay, let’s jump into the details of how to apply for your all-important Spanish ID card!
Need get identity card first
The very first thing you’ll need to do when moving to Spain is to get your foreigner identity card, also called the TIE card. I know when I moved here I was clueless about this special ID just for non-Spaniards living here. But it’s required by law within 30 days of moving, so don’t put it off! Consider it step one towards fully integrating into Spanish society.
Must be approved live Spain
To even apply for the TIE card, you first have to be approved for legal residence in Spain. There are several ways to do this – you can get a work visa, a non-lucrative visa, or be a student. I came over on a student visa when I moved here to study at a university in Madrid. Make sure you have one of these visas or residence permits before starting your TIE application.
Apply for card in office
You’ll need to go to your local immigration office, called the extranjería, to drop off your TIE application. Every city has at least one of these offices – just google it to find the address. You might have to wait in a long line, so prepare for that! However the actual application form only takes about 10 minutes to fill out. It was a pretty smooth process when I did this.
Requires passport and proof
When you apply for the card, you’ll need to bring certain documents along to prove your identity and residence. This includes your valid passport, proof of address like rental contract or utility bill, passport photos, and the completed application form. Make sure you have all these or they will turn you away! I made the mistake of forgetting one document and had to come back another day.
Pay small application fee
Good news – compared to so much bureaucracy in Spain, the TIE card fee is actually pretty reasonable! I think I paid around €10-15. Just be sure to have cash on you since most immigration offices don’t take cards. Consider that tiny fee for your entrance ticket to legally live in Spain!
Get fingerprints electronically
Another slightly unpleasant step – you’ll have electronic fingerprints taken at the immigration office. They do this for security purposes to store bio data with your residence file. It only takes a few minutes and then you’re done. I remember being nervous they’d find some crime record from my wild youth! But as long as you don’t have a criminal background, the fingerprinting is no big deal.
Wait for card be approved
After submitting the application, you play the waiting game. It takes a few weeks to get the physical card delivered to your address. I checked my mailbox eagerly every day! Be patient if it takes the full month – the systems work on traditional Spanish time. But once that card shows up, you can rejoice!
Carry card with you always
Your last step is remembering to keep your shiny new TIE card on you at all times! It serves as your legal ID while living in Spain. I keep mine right in my wallet with my driver’s license. Don’t worry about memorizing the number or anything though – that’s not important day-to-day. Just remember to bring it! The police can fine you for not having a resident ID.
Phew, that was quite a process! But now you know everything there is to get that essential Spanish foreigner identity card. It may be a hassle upfront, but life gets much easier once you have that precious little tarjeta! Let me know if any other questions come up in your immigration journey.
