Residence for British nationals (Brexit): TIE under the Withdrawal Agreement

What you need to have to hand

1. UK passport with enough validity.
2. Cl@ve or certificado digital to submit online.
3. Empadronamiento recent (and padrón histórico if you have it).
4. Proof you lived in Spain before 31/12/2020: contracts, bills, medical records, school enrolment, etc.
5. Proof of means and health insurance according to your situation.
6. Photo 32x26 mm and tasa 790-012 for the TIE.

Documentation

1. UK passport (original and copy).
2. Certificado de empadronamiento (less than 3 months).
3. Proofs of residence prior to 31/12/2020.
4. Proof of means: employment/contracts and payslips, extractos, S1, private insurance.
5. Health insurance (SIP or a private policy without copayments).
6. Family members: UK certificates with apostillado and traducción jurada.
7. Photo 32x26 mm on white background.
8. Tasa 790-012 paid and resolución EX-20 or certificado verde.

Step by step

1. Check you qualify: you must have been resident in Spain before 31/12/2020. If not, this isn't your route.
2. File the EX-20 online at https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es with Cl@ve/certificado, attaching everything above. This is for temporary or permanent residence under Brexit.
3. Wait and download the resolución. It usually takes 1–4 weeks depending on province.
4. Book the fingerprints (TIE) appointment at https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpco/index.html. Choose your province and the trámite “Policía – Toma de huellas (expedición de TIE)”.
5. Pay tasa 790-012: download it at https://sede.policia.gob.es, print and pay at a bank. Keep the receipt.
6. Attend the comisaría with passport, empadronamiento, resolución EX-20 or certificado verde, a 32x26 mm photo and the tasa receipt. Fingerprints, signature and a resguardo.
7. Collect the TIE when they notify you or at the deadline they give (usually 20–30 days). Some provinces also require an appointment to pick it up.

Tips that save time

1. Appointments: log in early (08:59) and use Chrome. The portal can be flaky.
2. Temporary vs permanent: if you already had 5 years before 31/12/2020, apply for permanent (10 years) and avoid renewals.
3. Padrón histórico: attach it if you have it. It convinces officials.
4. Health insurance: if you don't contribute and don't have S1, get a policy without copagos and full coverage. They check this.
5. UK documents: request apostilla and a traducción jurada in good time. This often blocks files.

Common mistakes that will ruin the process

1. Arriving after 2020 and expecting the Brexit route. They'll deny you.
2. Bad photo: wrong size or background; they'll send you back.
3. Tasa 790-012 not paid or with wrong details. No justificante, no fingerprints.
4. Insufficient proof of residence: only a contract without bills, or an old padrón. Provide several types of evidence.
5. UK certificates without apostilla/traducción: unlegalised documents = indefinite hold.
6. Not booking the appointment early: Policía agendas fill up and you can be delayed by weeks.