How to Get Your TIE Card in Madrid: Fingerprints, Fee and Pickup
Non-EU residents in Madrid need a TIE card within a month of arriving or of their permit approval. Here is how the fingerprint appointment and card pickup work.
To get a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) in Madrid, book a toma de huellas (fingerprint) appointment with the Policía Nacional, bring form EX-17, a passport photo, your permit resolution or visa and the fee on form 790 code 012, then book a second appointment to collect the card. As of November 2026 the first card costs €16.08.
Who needs a TIE and when?
The TIE is the photo ID card for non-EU nationals who hold a stay or residence authorization of six months or more. It shows your NIE and the type of permit you hold.
The deadline is one month. If you arrived with a long-stay visa, the month runs from your entry into Spain. If your permit was approved inside Spain, it runs from the date you were notified of the favorable resolution. Renewals and changes of permit also lead to a new card.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not get a TIE; they register instead (see the EU registration certificate in Madrid). Their non-EU family members get a family member card, booked through the same system.
How do you book the fingerprint appointment?
- Go to the government’s cita previa de extranjería site and choose the province of Madrid.
- Pick the police procedure for fingerprints and card issue (toma de huellas, expedición de tarjeta). Holders of permits under the entrepreneurs law (Ley 14/2013, for example highly qualified workers or digital nomads) use a separate procedure for that law.
- Enter your NIE, name and nationality exactly as on your resolution or visa.
- Choose an office and time, confirm and save the receipt.
Some provinces have started assigning fingerprint appointments automatically in the resolution letter. Read your resolution carefully: if it gives you a date, use it. If it does not, book through the website.
What do you need to bring?
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Form EX-17 | Application for the TIE, filled in and signed. Original and copy. |
| Passport | Valid, with a copy. For visa holders, the page with the visa and the entry stamp. |
| Resolution or visa | The favorable resolution, or the visa if you entered with one. |
| Photo | One recent color passport photo on a white background. |
| Fee receipt | Form 790 code 012, paid, with the right TIE line ticked. |
| Volante de empadronamiento | Proof of your registered address; offices often ask for it, especially for visa holders. See how to register on the Madrid padrón. |
Requirements can differ slightly between permit types, so check the instructions in your resolution letter as well.
How much does the TIE cost?
The fee depends on the permit the card documents. As of November 2026 form 790 code 012 lists:
| Card | Fee (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| First temporary residence or stay permit | €16.08 |
| Renewal of temporary residence or extension of stay | €19.30 |
| Long-term or EU long-term residence | €21.87 |
| Family member of an EU citizen or of a Spanish national, Withdrawal Agreement card | €12.00 |
Fill in the form on the Policía Nacional website, print it and pay at a bank before the appointment.
How long does the card take and how do you collect it?
At the appointment the officer scans your fingerprints and gives you a receipt (resguardo). Keep it: it shows that your card is being made and carries the batch number (lote) that tells you when it is ready. Cards typically take around 30 to 45 days, although waits vary.
Collection (recogida de tarjeta) is by appointment only. Once your batch appears as ready, book the card collection procedure on the same cita previa site and bring your passport and the fingerprint receipt. The card is handed only to you, in person.
While you wait, your resolution or visa plus the receipt prove your status inside Spain. Travel abroad is more complicated: without the card you may need a return authorization (autorización de regreso), so check before booking flights.
What if no appointments appear?
Appointment shortages in Madrid are common. Try these steps in order:
- Search at different times of day and on different days; slots are released in batches.
- Check every office offered, including stations in towns of the Comunidad de Madrid.
- Keep screenshots of failed attempts with dates. They help if you miss the one-month deadline through no fault of your own.
- Ask a licensed professional (abogado de extranjería or gestor) if the deadline is close; they can advise on formal complaints or written requests.
Do not pay for an appointment. Citas are free, and selling them is fraud: the Policía Nacional has dismantled groups that used bots to block the booking system and resell slots, and has asked victims to report it. If someone offers you a fingerprint slot for money, report it to the Policía Nacional.
Bottom line
Start looking for a fingerprint slot the day your resolution arrives or the day you land, not near the end of the month. Keep the fingerprint receipt in a safe place: without it, collecting the card becomes slower.
FAQ
Can I work while my TIE is being made?
If your permit allows work, you can work from the date set in your resolution. The card only documents the permit; it does not create the right to work.
How long is the TIE valid?
The card is valid for the length of the permit it documents. When you renew the permit, you get a new card with a new fee.
What if I lose my TIE?
Report the loss to the police and book an appointment for a duplicate card. A fee applies.
Is the TIE the same as the NIE?
No. The NIE is your number; the TIE is the card that shows it. The difference is explained in how to get an NIE number in Madrid.
