Does a change of address within Spain mean that you’re legally obligated to get a duplicate of your TIE residency card for non-EU citizens? Here’s what the law says.
If you change address in Spain, whether it be to another part of town, a different city or a whole new region, you may be wondering if this means that you have to get a new duplicate residency document that shows your new address.
The short answer to this is: yes you can, but you don’t have to.
Although some police officers tell foreign residents that they have to apply for a new residence card to update their address details on their TIE, the truth is that this is not necessary.
Article 209, sections 9 and 10, of Spain’s Immigration Regulations state that the cases in which a duplicate card must be requested are due to “the loss, destruction or damage of the Foreigner Identity Card” or when there are “modifications that involve an alteration of the legal status in Spain of the holder of the Foreigner Identity Card, as well as employment status”.
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Therefore, a change of address within Spain does not constitute a change of status in Spain, and so does not warrant a TIE renewal. You will probably be allowed to apply and pay for a new TIE that includes your new address, but as stated earlier, it’s not compulsory.
It’s also worth noting that form EX17, used by most non-EU nationals to apply for the TIE as well as its renewals or duplicates, does not include change of domicile as one of the options to tick for getting a duplicate, but rather “DUPLICATE DUE TO THEFT, LOSS, DESTRUCTION OR LACK OF USE”.
What you do have to do as a TIE holder when you move home within Spain is notify your local police station tasked with immigration matters or your extranjería (immigration) office, informing them of your cambio de dirección (change of address).
According to Spanish law, as a foreign resident in Spain you should inform authorities within 30 days of your change of address.
They will update this on the database, but not on your card. How this is done will depend on the rules in the individual office; there may be the option of doing it via email rather than in person (the best thing is to ask).
Keep in mind too that when it comes to renewing your TIE (either moving from temporary to a permanent card or renewing the permanent one after it expires), this does involve getting a new card, and your current or new address should logically be featured on this.
