The TIE is the physical biometric residency card any non-EU foreigner staying more than 6 months must carry — your Spanish ID as a resident.
Deadline
Within 30 days of entering Spain on your visa, or of your residence authorization taking effect.
Booking
Through the national e-office at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es → select your province → “Policía – Toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta).” Same appointment-scarcity issues as the NIE apply here.
Documents
Form EX-17, your fee receipt, valid passport (original + copy), your residence-authorization approval letter, 3 recent passport photos, your appointment confirmation, and your empadronamiento certificate — get this first.
Fee
€16.08 for first issuance, €19.30 for renewal (Order PJC/617/2025).
Processing/collection
Card production takes roughly 30–45 days; collect it in person at the same police station, using your stamped provisional receipt as proof of status while you wait.
Next step: open a bank account and register for healthcare once your TIE process is underway.