How to complete our TIE ORDER FORM:
Please ensure you provide a Valid Telephone Number and Email Address so our representative can contact you with your TIE CARD booking details. As soon as we have you booked in one of our staff will be in touch.
NEW! It its now possible for us to submit your main application (EX20) online and to not attend your first TIE CARD appointment at the foreigners office. To be able to use this service you will need to send us all your documents in one folder in one email. We are unable to accept multiple emails with lots of documents.
If you would like to do this and not attend appointment one there is a £20 admin fee to cover the extra time this takes our staff to submit your application. After you have completed the form please choose which option you would like.
Our emails may sometimes go into your Spam/Junk folder please ensure you check these so you don’t miss our emails.
Please be aware you can only get a Cita Previa TIE CARD appointment Monday-Friday (no appointments are given for weekends) and appointments are generally in the morning up to midday.
As you do not already hold a green residency card you will have two appointments. Firstly at the foreigners office to obtain residency and then at the police station to make your TIE Card.
Once you have pressed send above please choose either the online system or Police station visit
I would like to submit my application form EX20 online so I do not have to attend the first appointment £99.99 + VAT (Guaranteed submission within 24hrs once we have received your order)
I understand I will still need to attend a finger print appointment at a latter date to make the card.
Please note: As most our customers are British passport holders, all prices on this website are advertised in pound Stirling (£) If paying in euros there will be an exchange rate set by Paypal user agreement. The price of this service in POUNDS (£) is £99.99 + VAT
Introduction
When the UK left the European Union, one of the biggest concerns for British citizens already living in Spain was whether they would be allowed to stay—and under what conditions. Fortunately, those who were legally resident in Spain before 1 January 2020 are protected by Article 50 of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
This guide explains exactly how residency under Article 50 works, who qualifies, how to apply, what documents you need, and what rights this status gives you. It is written specifically for UK nationals who were living in Spain before Brexit, including those who:
- Held a green EU residency certificate
- Were registered on the padrón
- Were exercising treaty rights (work, self-employment, study, or self-sufficiency)
The article is fully optimised for WordPress SEO, uses clear headings, internal-link-ready structure, and includes an extensive FAQ section.
What Is Article 50 Residency?
Article 50 residency refers to the special residence status created by Spain to protect UK nationals and their family members under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Instead of applying under Spain’s standard immigration rules for non-EU citizens, eligible UK nationals fall under a protected category with rights broadly equivalent to those they enjoyed as EU citizens.
This status is evidenced by a TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) marked with:
“Artículo 50 TUE”
Who Can Apply for Article 50 Residency?
You can apply under Article 50 if all of the following apply:
1. You Are a UK National
You must hold a British passport.
2. You Were Living in Spain Before 1 January 2020
This means you were physically resident in Spain and able to prove it.
3. You Were Exercising EU Free Movement Rights
You must show that before Brexit you were one of the following:
- Employed in Spain
- Self-employed (autónomo)
- Self-sufficient with health insurance
- A student
- A family member of someone meeting the above criteria
4. You Were Legally Resident (or Can Prove It Retroactively)
Even if you never applied for a green certificate, you may still qualify if you can prove residence through other documents.
Green Certificate vs TIE Card: What’s the Difference?
Before Brexit, UK nationals registered as EU citizens received a green A4 certificate or credit-card-sized document.
After Brexit, Spain introduced the TIE card for UK nationals protected under Article 50.
Important points:
- The green certificate is still legally valid
- However, it does not prove your post-Brexit status
- Many banks, employers, and police now require the TIE
Spain strongly recommends exchanging the green certificate for a biometric TIE card.
What Rights Does Article 50 Residency Give You?
Article 50 residency protects your existing rights, including:
✔ Right to Live in Spain
You may continue living in Spain indefinitely as long as you maintain residency conditions.
✔ Right to Work
You can work without a work permit, whether employed or self-employed.
✔ Access to Healthcare
You can access public healthcare if registered correctly.
✔ Right to Family Reunification
Close family members can join you under facilitated rules.
✔ Permanent Residency
After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency.
Types of Article 50 Residency Cards
Temporary Article 50 TIE
Issued if you had less than 5 years’ residence at the time of application.
- Valid until you reach 5 years total residence
- Renewable only once (conversion to permanent)
Permanent Article 50 TIE
Issued if you had already completed 5 years of legal residence.
- Valid for 10 years
- Renewable without reassessment of economic conditions
Required Documents (Standard Application)
While requirements vary slightly by province, you typically need:
Core Documents
- Valid UK passport (original + copy)
- Completed EX-20 application form
- Proof of payment of Modelo 790 (fee)
- Recent passport-style photos
- Padrón certificate (empadronamiento)
Proof of Pre-2020 Residence
Examples include:
- Green EU certificate
- Work contracts or payslips
- Social Security registration
- Tax returns
- Rental contracts
- Utility bills
- School registration documents
Proof of Economic Status (if required)
- Employment contract
- Autónomo registration
- Proof of income/savings
- Private health insurance (if self-sufficient)
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Gather Evidence
Collect all documents proving you lived in Spain before 1 January 2020.
Step 2: Book an Appointment
Appointments are made with the Oficina de Extranjería or designated police station.
Step 3: Submit Application
Attend your appointment in person. Biometrics are taken if applying for the TIE.
Step 4: Approval
Processing times vary but usually range from 2–8 weeks.
Step 5: Collect Your TIE Card
Once approved, you’ll collect your Article 50 TIE card in person.
What If You Never Registered Before Brexit?
Many UK nationals lived in Spain without formal registration.
You may still qualify if you can prove:
- Continuous residence
- Presence in Spain before Brexit
- Exercise of treaty rights
Spain allows retrospective recognition, but applications may be scrutinised more closely.
Family Members and Article 50
Eligible family members include:
- Spouse or registered partner
- Children under 21 (or dependent)
- Dependent parents
Family members may apply even if they arrive after Brexit, provided the relationship existed before 31 December 2020 (with some exceptions).
Permanent Residency Under Article 50
After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent status.
Benefits include:
- No income requirements
- Stronger protection from absence
- 10-year renewable TIE card
Time spent in Spain before receiving your TIE still counts, as long as it was legal residence.
Absences from Spain: What’s Allowed?
- Up to 6 months per year without issue
- One absence of up to 12 months for important reasons (work, illness, study)
Exceeding limits may affect your status.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying under the wrong residency regime
- Missing proof of pre-2020 residence
- Letting your padrón lapse
- Confusing Article 50 with standard non-EU residency
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Article 50 residency still open?
Yes. Applications remain open for those who qualify, although late applications may face extra checks.
Can I work in Spain with Article 50 status?
Yes, without restrictions.
Do I need private health insurance?
Only if you are self-sufficient and not contributing to Social Security.
Can I apply for Spanish nationality?
Yes, time under Article 50 counts toward nationality (subject to rules).
Is the green certificate still valid?
Yes, but it is strongly recommended to exchange it for a TIE
Final Thoughts
Article 50 residency is one of the most generous post-Brexit protections offered by any EU country. If you were living in Spain before 2020, it is essential to ensure your status is properly documented and up to date.
Whether you are applying for the first time, exchanging a green certificate, or moving toward permanent residency, understanding the process—and doing it correctly—can save you stress, delays, and potential refusal.