UK Nationals in Spain: Time to Renew Your Brexit Residence Card
UK citizens covered by the Withdrawal Agreement can now apply for a 10-year residence card in Spain
If you're a UK citizen living in Spain under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, it's time to check your residence card.
As of July 2025, the first 5-year residence cards issued to UK nationals in Spain are starting to expire.
If you received your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) in 2020, you're now eligible — and required — to apply for a 10-year permanent residence card.
Here's what you need to know about renewing your Brexit residence card in Spain, why it matters, and how to make the process easier.
Why UK Nationals in Spain Need the Brexit TIE
When the UK left the EU, British citizens who had already established legal residence in Spain before 31 December 2020 were protected by the EU–UK Withdrawal Agreement.
To reflect that status, Spain introduced a biometric residence card for UK nationals and their family members: the Withdrawal Agreement TIE.
Introduced on 6 July 2020, this card:
- Is issued in uniform EU format
- States your protected status under Article 50
- Makes it easier to prove your legal residence across Spain and the EU
Unlike the old green residency certificate, the TIE provides stronger proof of rights, especially at borders, with authorities, and when accessing services.
5 Years Later: Renew Your Brexit TIE for a 10-Year Card
The first Withdrawal Agreement residence cards had a 5-year validity. If yours was issued in 2020, it's likely expiring now or soon.
If you've maintained legal residence in Spain during this time, you are eligible to renew your TIE for a 10-year permanent card.
Key benefits of the 10-year TIE:
- Confirms your continued residence under the Withdrawal Agreement
- Valid for 10 years
- Requires only a simple renewal at the police station (not a full application at immigration)
Why Renewing Your Brexit Residence Card Matters
Holding the correct residence card isn't just about paperwork — it's essential for maintaining your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
But there's another reason this matters right now: the EU's upcoming border control systems.
Soon to launch:
- ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)
- EES (Entry/Exit System)
These systems will track and control travel by third-country nationals. But if you hold a valid Withdrawal Agreement card, you'll be exempt from both systems — as long as you can present your card at the border.
Without it, even UK nationals living legally in Spain risk being treated as third country nationals.
Final Thoughts: Peace of Mind for a Decade
If your 5-year residence card is expiring, don't delay. The 10-year TIE renewal offers long-term peace of mind and makes daily life in Spain easier — from opening a bank account to travelling across the EU.
It's also a crucial step to protect your legal status as a UK national in Spain in the years ahead.
