Spain Urges British Expats to Exchange Green Cards for TIEs Amid Legal Concerns
UK Embassy Urges British Nationals in Spain to Swap Green Residency Cards for TIEs Amid Legal Risks
The British Embassy in Madrid has issued a formal warning to UK nationals residing in Spain, urging them to replace their old green residency certificates—issued pre-Brexit—with the new biometric Foreigner Identity Card (TIE – Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). The notice, published on April 22 via the embassy’s official Facebook page, stressed the urgent need for compliance ahead of new EU border system changes set to take effect by the end of 2025.
Green Cards to Be Phased Out Under New EU Border System
According to the embassy, UK nationals who fail to switch to a TIE card risk being treated as tourists when entering or exiting EU countries once the new Entry/Exit System (EES) is implemented. This means that their time in the Schengen Area may be flagged as an overstay, even if they legally reside in Spain.
Complaints Over Lack of Appointment Availability
The embassy’s statement has drawn criticism from some British residents, who claim that securing appointments for the TIE has become increasingly difficult.
Christine Markuss, a British national living in Spain, noted that the shortage of available appointments affects both first-time applicants and those needing to renew their TIEs.
Meanwhile, Facebook user Michael Soffe criticized the embassy for initially giving the impression that only irregular residents needed a TIE, calling the shift in messaging confusing. He also pointed out that the cost of the TIE application has risen, increasing from approximately €12 to €25.
Despite Bureaucracy, Spain Remains a Top Choice for UK Nationals
Despite these bureaucratic challenges, Spain remains a popular destination for British citizens, especially retirees and digital nomads seeking a warmer climate. According to Statista, there were 313,975 UK nationals living in Spain in 2022, a number close to the peak in 2013 (316,362).
The majority of British residents in Spain are concentrated in:
- Andalusia: 92,180 residents
- Valencia region: 87,700 residents
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