Renewal of TIE Cards for Family Members of British Citizens

Since Brexit, many British citizens and their family members have obtained residence cards (TIE) under Article 18.4 of the Withdrawal Agreement. These cards granted legal residence rights in Spain for five years. Now, as we move beyond 2025, the first TIE cards issued under this regime are beginning to expire, and many residents are unsure about what to do next to renew them.

One of the most frequent doubts we hear at NIE Barcelona is whether the renewal process must start through the Subdelegación del Gobierno, submitting documentation and waiting for a new resolution. The answer is no. If you already have a TIE issued under Article 18.4 (Withdrawal Agreement), you do not need to reapply or submit new documentation to the Government Office.
To renew your TIE, you can go directly to any Comisaría de Policía Nacional (police station) within your province of residence. For example, if you live in Barcelona, you must go to a police station in the province of Barcelona, not in Girona or Tarragona. This process is considered a card renewal for the same residence status, not a new application.

At the police station, they will take your fingerprints (toma de huellas), the same as when you first received your TIE. Once the fingerprints are taken, you’ll just need to wait a few weeks to collect your new residence card.

This process applies only to those who already obtained their TIE under Article 18.4 (the Withdrawal Agreement). If you never applied for it after Brexit, then you will have to go through the standard residency application process.

In summary, if your TIE (Article 18.4) is expiring, you do not need to submit a new application to the Subdelegación del Gobierno. You can go directly to the police station for fingerprinting and get your renewed card.

Let NIE Barcelona know if you need any assistance with this process.