British Expats in Spain Urged to Take This Action to Avoid Passport Control Issues

If you’re a British national living in Spain and still holding onto the old green paper residency certificate, it’s time to act.

🇬🇧 The UK and Spanish governments are strongly urging British residents to replace their green EU residency certificate with the biometric TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). A new update published this Tuesday on the UK government website explicitly states that promoting the switch is essential because only the TIE will exempt holders from the EU’s upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES) green certificates will no longer suffice.

Why This Matters

• The green certificate, commonly issued before Brexit, doesn’t contain biometric data.
• With the EU’s EES launching later this year, third-country nationals without biometric IDs will be treated like tourists.
• Holders of the green certificate risk being:
  • Misclassified as short-term visitors, subject to the 90/180‑day rule
  • Delayed or questioned at border control
  • Logged as overstayers, potentially causing complications.

The TIE card, in contrast, includes your photo, fingerprints, and NIE, making it a fully recognised resident document for Schengen border authorities.

What Is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a Schengen-wide digital system that records non-EU nationals’ biometric data (photo + fingerprints) at every entry and exit. Its goals include:

• Enforcing the 90/180‑day rule
• Preventing repeated short visits
• Digitising border control for added efficiency

Without a TIE, green certificate holders may be treated as tourists, even after years of residing in Spain

Steps to Switch to the TIE

1. Book an appointment at your local Oficina de Extranjería or designated police station.
2. Bring essential documents:
   • Current green certificate
   • Passport
   • Passport-sized photos
   • Residency fee receipt
   • Completed application form
3. Attend your appointment to provide biometric data (photo + fingerprints).
4. Collect your TIE card once ready, typically a few weeks later.

This applies equally to temporary and permanent UK residents in Spain.

The Risk of Delay

Staying with the green certificate may soon affect your travel:

• Longer processing time at EU border controls
• Possible refusals or questioning at entry points
• Risk of being recorded as a tourist or overstayer, leading to fines or re-entry bans

According to the UK government’s updated guidance published this Tuesday, only the TIE card will guarantee automatic EES exemption and smooth border access.

Final Take

Upgrading to the TIE isn’t just bureaucratic, it’s essential. With EES and eventually ETIAS on the horizon, biometric residency proof is the only way to maintain full, hassle‑free travel within Schengenand protect your rights.

If you’re still relying on the green paper, don’t wait. Book your appointment, submit your application, and get your TIE card before you encounter border issues.