How to Renew Your TIE Card in the Canary Islands (2026 Step-by-Step Guide With English Form Translations)

If your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is coming up for renewal in the Canary Islands, you’re probably dreading the paperwork. Which form do you need? How do you book a cita previa? Do you need an appointment just to pick up the new card? And what on earth do all those boxes on the form mean in English?

This guide walks you through the entire TIE renewal process step by step — from when to start, which documents you need, how to navigate the online booking system, and exactly which boxes to tick on the forms. We’ve included English translations of every field so you don’t have to guess.

Last updated: March 2026. This guide covers TIE renewals for non-EU residents in the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro).

Who Needs to Renew a TIE?

The TIE is the physical card that proves your right to live in Spain. If you don’t know the difference between the NIE and TIE, read our guide first. You need to renew it if you are:

• A non-EU national with any type of Spanish residency (work visa, non-lucrative visa, student visa, family reunification, arraigo, etc.)
• A non-EU family member of an EU citizen (e.g. a British citizen’s non-EU spouse) — your EU Family Member Residence Card is a type of TIE
• A UK national post-Brexit who holds a Withdrawal Agreement TIE (green card with the Union Jack)

You do NOT need a TIE if you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen. EU nationals register via the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE, which is a different process entirely. If you’re British and arrived in Spain after 1 January 2021, you’re treated as a non-EU national and do need a TIE.

When Should You Start the Renewal?

The legal renewal window is:

• From 60 days before your TIE expiry date — this is the earliest you can apply
• Up to 90 days after your TIE expiry date — this is the absolute deadline

Our advice: start gathering documents at least 2 months before expiry. Cita previa appointments in the Canary Islands can take weeks to become available, and you’ll need time to get your empadronamiento updated, pay the fee, and prepare your paperwork. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

If your TIE has already expired and you’re still within the 90-day grace period, don’t panic — you can still apply. But if you’ve gone past 90 days, you may face complications or need to start a new application from scratch.

What Happens If Your TIE Expires While Waiting?

As long as you submitted your renewal application within the legal window, you’re in what’s called situación de permanencia administrativa — your legal status continues while the application is being processed. You can continue to live and work in Spain normally.

However, your expired TIE is NOT valid for international travel. If you need to leave Spain and return while waiting for your new card, you must apply for an Autorización de Regreso (Return Authorisation) from your local Extranjería office before you travel. Without it, you may not be allowed back into Spain.

The Renewal Process: A Quick Overview

The TIE renewal involves three separate stages, each potentially requiring its own appointment. Here’s the big picture before we dive into the details:

Stage	What Happens	Where	Typical Wait
1. Submit Renewal Application	Hand in your forms and documents	Oficina de Extranjería	1–3 months for approval
2. Fingerprints (Toma de Huellas)	Give fingerprints and biometric photo for new card	Comisaría de Policía Nacional	30–45 days for card production
3. Card Collection (Recogida)	Pick up your new TIE card	Comisaría de Policía Nacional	Same day (with appointment)

Important: Stages 2 and 3 each require a separate cita previa (appointment) booked through the same online system. Yes, that means you’ll be booking a total of up to three appointments. Welcome to Spanish bureaucracy.

Documents You’ll Need

Gather everything on this list before you start booking appointments. Missing a single document can mean being turned away and having to rebook — and in the Canary Islands, that could mean waiting weeks for a new slot.

Essential Documents for Everyone

Document	Details	Cost
Valid passport	Original + photocopy of the photo page. Must not be expired.	—
Current TIE card	Original + photocopy (front and back). Even if expired.	—
EX-17 form	Solicitud de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero. See our form guide below.	Free
Passport photo	1 recent colour photo, 32×26mm, white background, no glasses.	~€5–8
Empadronamiento certificate	Must be recent (less than 3 months old). Get it from your local Ayuntamiento.	Free
Tasa 790 Código 012	The official fee receipt, paid at a bank. See payment guide below.	€12.00

Additional Documents by Visa Type

Depending on the type of residency you hold, you’ll also need to prove you still meet the conditions of your permit:

Visa Type	Extra Documents Needed
Non-Lucrative Visa	Proof of financial means (bank statements showing sufficient funds), valid private health insurance (sin copagos, cobertura completa)
Work Visa (cuenta ajena)	Current employment contract or vida laboral from Social Security
Autónomo (self-employed)	Proof of autónomo registration, recent tax declarations or Social Security payments
Student Visa	Proof of enrolment at an approved institution, proof of financial means, health insurance
Family Reunification	Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate), sponsor’s documentation
EU Family Member	EU citizen’s registration certificate, proof of relationship, proof EU citizen is still resident
Withdrawal Agreement (Brexit TIE)	Usually just the standard documents — the UK bilateral agreement simplified this

Top tip: Always bring originals AND photocopies of everything. The office keeps the photocopies and returns your originals. If in doubt, bring extra copies — it’s better to have too many than to be sent away.

Step 1: Pay the Tasa 790 Código 012

Before you can submit your renewal application, you need to pay the official fee. This is done via the Modelo 790 Código 012 form.

How to Complete and Pay the Tasa

1. Go to the online form: Visit the Policía Nacional fee page at sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/
2. Fill in your details: Enter your NIE number, full name (as it appears on your passport), nationality, and Spanish address. Every field must match your official documents exactly.
3. Select the correct fee: For TIE renewal, select “Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) o Certificado de registro de residente comunitario”
4. Generate and print the PDF: The system will generate a 3-page PDF. Print all three copies (one for you, one for the bank, one for the administration).
5. Pay at any Spanish bank: Take the printed form to any bank branch in Spain. Pay the fee (currently €12.00) in cash or by card. The bank will stamp all three copies as proof of payment.
6. Keep the stamped copy safe: You’ll need to present this at your fingerprint appointment. Without it, they’ll turn you away.

Important: The form can only be filled in online — handwritten forms are no longer accepted. And you cannot pay online; it must be paid in person at a bank. Yes, in 2026, you still need to physically walk into a bank with a printed form. Spain gonna Spain.

Note for UK nationals with a Brexit/Withdrawal Agreement TIE: You may need the EX-23 form instead. Check with your local Extranjería office if unsure.

Here is a complete field-by-field translation of the EX-17 form:

Section 1: Datos del/de la solicitante (Applicant Details)

Spanish Field	English Translation	What to Write
NIE	Foreigner ID Number	Your NIE number (e.g. X-1234567-A)
Nombre	First Name	As shown on your passport
1er Apellido	First Surname	Your surname/family name
2º Apellido	Second Surname	Leave blank if you don’t have one
Sexo	Sex	H = Hombre (Male), M = Mujer (Female)
Fecha de nacimiento	Date of Birth	DD/MM/YYYY format
País de nacimiento	Country of Birth	Your country of birth
Localidad de nacimiento	Place of Birth	City/town of birth
Nacionalidad	Nationality	Your current nationality
Nombre del padre	Father’s Name	Father’s first name
Nombre de la madre	Mother’s Name	Mother’s first name
Tipo de documento	Document Type	Tick “Pasaporte” (Passport)
Nº documento	Document Number	Your passport number

Section 2: Datos del domicilio en España (Address in Spain)

Spanish Field	English Translation	What to Write
Tipo de vía	Street Type	C/ = Calle (Street), Av. = Avenida (Avenue), Pza. = Plaza
Nombre de la vía	Street Name	Your street name
Número	Number	Building number
Piso	Floor	Floor number (e.g. 3º)
Puerta	Door	Door letter/number (e.g. A, B, 1)
Código Postal	Postcode	Your 5-digit Spanish postcode
Municipio	Town/City	Your town or city name
Provincia	Province	Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Las Palmas
Teléfono	Phone Number	Your Spanish mobile number
Correo electrónico	Email Address	Your email

Section 3: Datos de la solicitud (Application Details)

This is the section where people get confused. For a TIE renewal, here’s what to tick:

Spanish Field	English Translation	What to Tick for Renewal
Expedición inicial	Initial issue (first time)	❌ Do NOT tick this
Renovación	Renewal	✅ TICK THIS ONE
Duplicado (por deterioro, sustracción o extravío)	Duplicate (damaged, stolen, or lost)	❌ Only if replacing a lost/damaged card
Modificación de datos	Data change	❌ Only if changing personal details

Section 4: Motivo de la solicitud (Reason for Application)

Tick the box that matches your residency type. The most common ones for Canary Islands expats are:

Spanish	English	Who Should Tick This
Autorización de residencia temporal	Temporary residence permit	Most visa types in years 1–5
Autorización de residencia de larga duración	Long-term residence permit	After 5 years of legal residence
Autorización de residencia y trabajo	Residence and work permit	Work visa holders
Tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la UE	EU Family Member card	Non-EU spouse/dependent of EU citizen
Régimen especial art. 50 RD 557/2011	Special regime (Withdrawal Agreement)	UK nationals with Brexit TIE

At the bottom, sign and date the form. Write the city name (e.g. “Santa Cruz de Tenerife” or “Las Palmas de Gran Canaria”) and the date in DD/MM/YYYY format.

Step 3: Book Your Cita Previa (Appointment)

This is the part everyone dreads. The cita previa system is entirely in Spanish and can be confusing if you don’t know which options to select. Here’s your walkthrough.

How to Book: Step by Step

1. Go to the Cita Previa Extranjería website: icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/
2. Select your province:
   • If you live in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, or El Hierro → select “S.Cruz Tenerife”
   • If you live in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, or Fuerteventura → select “Las Palmas”
3. Click “Aceptar”
4. Select your office from the “Selecciona Oficina” dropdown (see office list below), or leave it on “Cualquier oficina” to see all available slots
5. Select the correct procedure — this is crucial and depends on which stage you’re at:

Which Procedure to Select (Don’t Get This Wrong!)

On the cita previa page you’ll see two dropdown menus: TRÁMITES OFICINAS DE EXTRANJERÍA and TRÁMITES POLICÍA NACIONAL. You’ll need to use both at different stages of the process.

For Stage 1 — Submitting Your Renewal Application:

Under TRÁMITES OFICINAS DE EXTRANJERÍA, select:

📋 “RENOVACIONES DE RESIDENCIA/RESIDENCIA Y TRABAJO Y MODIFICACIONES”
(English: Renewals of Residence / Residence and Work Permits, and Modifications)

If you’re an EU family member, select instead:
📋 “FAMILIARES DE ESPAÑOLES Y FAMILIARES DE RESIDENTES COMUNITARIOS”
(English: Family Members of Spanish Citizens and Family Members of EU Residents)

For Stage 2 — Fingerprints (after your renewal is approved):

Under TRÁMITES POLICÍA NACIONAL, select:

📋 “POLICÍA-TOMA DE HUELLAS (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA) INICIAL, RENOVACIÓN, DUPLICADO Y LEY 14/2013”
(English: Police — Fingerprinting (Card Issuance) Initial, Renewal, Duplicate, and Law 14/2013)

For Stage 3 — Picking Up Your New Card:

Under TRÁMITES POLICÍA NACIONAL, select:

📋 “POLICIA – RECOGIDA DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO (TIE)”
(English: Police — Collection of Foreigner Identity Card (TIE))

After Selecting the Procedure

6. Click “Aceptar” to proceed
7. Enter your details: You’ll be asked for your NIE number, name, nationality, and a Spanish phone number
8. Read and accept the terms, then click “Solicitar cita” (Request appointment)
9. Choose a date and time from the available slots
10. Confirm your appointment — you’ll receive a confirmation page. Print it or save the PDF. You must bring this to your appointment.

Can’t Find Any Available Slots?

This is extremely common. Here are some tips:

• Check early in the morning: New slots are often released between 8:00–9:00 AM on weekday mornings
• Check around lunchtime: Another batch of slots frequently appears between 12:00–2:00 PM
• Try different offices: If your nearest office has no availability, try another office in the same province
• Be persistent: Check back multiple times a day. Slots appear and disappear quickly as people book and cancel
• Try a different day of the week: Fridays tend to see new releases for the following weeks
• Consider a gestor: If you really can’t get an appointment, a gestor (administrative agent) can handle the process for you. They typically charge €50–150 for TIE renewals. This is especially worth considering if you’re on one of the smaller islands with limited appointment availability

Canary Islands Office Addresses

Here are the Extranjería and Policía Nacional offices across the Canary Islands where you’ll attend your appointments.

Tenerife

Office	Address	Used For
Oficina Única de Extranjería (OUE)	C/ La Marina, 20, Santa Cruz de Tenerife	Stage 1: Submitting renewal application
CNP Santa Cruz de Tenerife	Ramón Pérez Ayala, 6, Santa Cruz de Tenerife	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection
CNP Sta Cruz de TFE Robayna	Calle Robayna, 23, Santa Cruz de Tenerife	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection
CNP San Cristóbal de La Laguna	Calle Nava y Grimón, 66, La Laguna	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection
CNP Playa de las Américas	Av. de los Pueblos, 2, Adeje	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection
CNP Puerto de la Cruz	Av. José del Campo y Llarena, 3, Puerto de la Cruz	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection

For south Tenerife residents: The Playa de las Américas (Adeje) police station handles fingerprints and card collection, which saves you a trip to Santa Cruz. However, the initial renewal application (Stage 1) must be submitted at the main OUE office in Santa Cruz.

Gran Canaria

Office	Address	Used For
Extranjería Las Palmas	Plaza de la Concordia, 5, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria	Stage 1: Submitting renewal application
CNP Las Palmas de Gran Canaria	C/ Luis Doreste Silva, 68, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection
CNP Maspalomas	Avenida de Moya, 4, Maspalomas	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection
CNP Telde	Eduardo Chillida, 1, Telde	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection
CNP Santa Lucía de Tirajana	Doctor Negrín, 10, Vecindario	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection

For south Gran Canaria residents: The Maspalomas police station is available for fingerprints and collection. The initial application goes to the main Extranjería office at Plaza de la Concordia in Las Palmas.

Lanzarote

Office	Address	Used For
Extranjería Lanzarote	C/ Blas Cabrera Felipe, 6, Arrecife	Stage 1: Submitting renewal application
Comisaría CNP Arrecife	Mastelero, s/n, Arrecife	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection

Fuerteventura

Office	Address	Used For
Extranjería Fuerteventura	Primero de Mayo, 64, Puerto del Rosario	Stage 1: Submitting renewal application
CNP Puerto del Rosario	Herbania, 28, Puerto del Rosario	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection

La Palma

Office	Address	Used For
Extranjería La Palma	Avenida Marítima, 2, Santa Cruz de La Palma	Stage 1: Submitting renewal application
CNP Isla de La Palma	Calle Pérez Galdós, 16, Santa Cruz de La Palma	Stage 2 & 3: Fingerprints and card collection

La Gomera & El Hierro

Island	Office	Address
La Gomera	CNP La Gomera	Plaza Las Américas, 2, San Sebastián de La Gomera
El Hierro	CNP El Hierro	Av. Dacio Darías, 103, Valverde

All offices operate Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. Offices close for the day at 2:00 PM sharp — there’s no afternoon session.

What Happens at Each Appointment

At the Renewal Application (Extranjería)

• Arrive with all documents (originals + photocopies)
• Show your appointment confirmation
• Hand in your completed EX-17 form and all supporting documents
• The clerk will check everything and may ask questions about your situation
• You’ll receive a resguardo (receipt) with your application reference number — keep this safe! It’s your proof that you’ve applied, and you’ll need it if your TIE expires during processing
• Wait for notification that your renewal has been approved (1–3 months). You can check your status online at the Extranjería portal or by calling your local office

At the Fingerprint Appointment (Policía Nacional)

• Bring: passport, old TIE, appointment confirmation, paid Tasa 790 receipt, and one passport photo
• They’ll take your fingerprints electronically
• They’ll check your photo meets the requirements
• You’ll be told approximately when your card will be ready (usually 30–45 days)
• You then need to book a separate cita previa for collection (see Stage 3 procedure above)

At the Card Collection (Policía Nacional)

“Do I need a cita previa just to pick up my card?” — this is one of the most common questions we see on Facebook groups, and the answer is yes, in most Canary Islands offices, you do need an appointment for collection.

• Book a cita previa selecting “POLICIA – RECOGIDA DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO (TIE)”
• Bring: passport and old TIE card
• You’ll sign for receipt of your new card
• Your old TIE will be hole-punched or cut to invalidate it (you can keep it as a souvenir)
• Check the details on your new card before you leave — make sure your name, NIE number, and dates are correct. Errors are much harder to fix later

Can You Renew Online? The MERCURIO Platform

If you have a certificado digital (digital certificate), you may be able to submit your renewal application through the MERCURIO platform without attending an in-person appointment for Stage 1. The cita previa system itself now recommends this for temporary residents.

However, you’ll still need to attend in person for fingerprinting (Stage 2) and card collection (Stage 3). The digital route only replaces the initial application submission.

If you don’t have a digital certificate yet, check out our guide: How to Get a Digital Certificate (Certificado Digital) in Spain. It’s free and makes a lot of Spanish bureaucracy much easier.

Total Costs Breakdown

Item	Cost
Tasa 790 Código 012 (official fee)	€12.00
Passport photos	€5–8
Empadronamiento certificate	Free
Photocopies	€1–3
Gestor (optional, if you hire one)	€50–150
Total (DIY)	~€18–23

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

• Selecting the wrong procedure on the cita previa system. This is the #1 mistake. If you book “TOMA DE HUELLAS” when you actually need to submit your renewal first, you’ll be turned away. Follow the three-stage process in order.
• Forgetting to pay the Tasa 790 before the fingerprint appointment. You can’t pay on the day — it must be paid at a bank beforehand.
• Bringing an outdated empadronamiento. It must be less than 3 months old. If in doubt, get a fresh one from your Ayuntamiento the week before your appointment.
• Not bringing photocopies. They won’t make copies for you at the office. Bring copies of everything.
• Ticking “Expedición inicial” instead of “Renovación” on the EX-17 form. This is for first-time applications only. For renewals, always tick “Renovación”.
• Waiting too long to start. If appointment slots are scarce and you start looking 2 weeks before expiry, you may not get one in time. Start at least 60 days before.
• Assuming you don’t need an appointment for card collection. In most Canary Islands offices, you do. Book the RECOGIDA appointment as soon as you know your card is ready.
• Travelling internationally with an expired TIE. Even with a pending renewal, your expired TIE won’t get you back into Spain. Get an Autorización de Regreso first.

Complete Timeline Summary

When	What to Do
60 days before expiry	Start gathering documents. Get fresh empadronamiento. Pay Tasa 790 at bank.
~55 days before	Fill in EX-17 form. Book cita previa for renewal submission (Stage 1).
~45 days before	Attend Extranjería appointment. Submit application and receive resguardo.
After approval (1–3 months)	Book cita previa for fingerprints (Stage 2: TOMA DE HUELLAS).
At fingerprint appointment	Give fingerprints, submit photo and Tasa 790 receipt.
30–45 days later	Card is ready. Book cita previa for collection (Stage 3: RECOGIDA).
At collection appointment	Pick up new TIE card. Check all details are correct.

Useful Official Links

• Cita Previa Extranjería: icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/
• Tasa 790 Código 012 (fee form): sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/
• EX-17 Form download: Ministry of Inclusion — EX-17 PDF
• MERCURIO online platform (with digital certificate): sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es
• Extranjería office info & phone numbers: Ministry of Inclusion — Oficinas de Extranjeros
• GOV.UK — Spain residency guidance for British nationals: gov.uk/guidance/spain-registering-as-a-resident-and-getting-a-tie

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my TIE from outside Spain?

No. The renewal must be done in person in Spain. You need to attend at least the fingerprint and collection appointments physically. If you’ve been out of Spain for an extended period, this could also affect your eligibility to renew, as most permits require you to have spent a minimum amount of time in Spain.

Do I need to renew my residency AND my TIE card, or are they the same thing?

They’re related but technically separate. Your residency authorisation is the legal permission to live in Spain. Your TIE card is the physical card that proves it. When you “renew your TIE,” you’re actually renewing both — the application renews your residency authorisation, and the fingerprinting process generates a new physical card.

What if I’ve changed address since my last TIE?

Make sure your empadronamiento reflects your current address. Your new TIE will be issued with your current address on it. If you’ve moved to a different province, you may need to apply through the Extranjería office where you originally received your first authorisation (this rule changed in May 2025), so check with your local office first.

My TIE expired more than 90 days ago. What do I do?

You’re outside the standard renewal window, which complicates things. You should consult with a lawyer or gestor immediately. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to apply as a new applicant rather than a renewal, which means starting from scratch with different requirements and potentially needing to leave and re-enter Spain.

Can I work while my TIE renewal is being processed?

Yes — as long as you applied within the legal window and have your resguardo (receipt) as proof. Your employment rights continue uninterrupted while the renewal is processing. Show your employer the resguardo along with your expired TIE if they ask.

How long is the new TIE valid for?

This depends on your residency type. Temporary residence permits are typically renewed for 2-year periods. After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for long-term residence (larga duración), which is valid for 5 years. EU Family Member cards are also typically valid for 5 years.

Need health insurance for your TIE renewal? If you hold a non-lucrative visa or other permit that requires private health insurance, make sure your policy meets Spanish requirements — it must be sin copagos (no co-payments) with full coverage. 

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This guide is based on our own experience renewing the TIE in the Canary Islands and research of official Spanish government sources. Immigration rules can change — always check the latest requirements with your local Extranjería office or a qualified immigration lawyer before your appointment. Last updated March 2026.