Renewing Your TIE? UK passport holders Should Use Form EX-23 (Not EX-17)

Learn about renewing your TIE residents card in Spain. If you’re a Kiwi with a UK passport holder living in Spain, chances are you already have a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) thanks to the EU–UK Withdrawal Agreement. That little plastic card is proof of your rights to live, work, and enjoy life under the Spanish sun.

But what happens when it’s time to renew your TIE? This is where confusion often sets in — and it’s not always the expat’s fault. Some foreigners’ offices and police stations have been wrongly telling UK nationals to use Form EX-17.

Also refer to: https://ageinspain.org/2024/12/19/renewing-your-tie-uk-withdrawal-agreement-protected-residents/

Here’s the thing: if your residency is under the Withdrawal Agreement, EX-17 is the wrong form. The one you need is EX-23.

Refer to: Spanish Government guide in English

In the case of a UK National who are in possession of a temporary registration certificate: Less than five years of residency.

The applicant can make the application at the relevant foreigners office of the national police. The applicant must provide the following documentation:

Application form: EX-23

• A valid passport. In the event that the passport is expired, a copy and the renewal application must be provided.
• The Tasa Form accrediting the payment of the corresponding fee (model 790, code 12).
• A photograph, in accordance with the requirements established in the regulations for a national identity document.
• At the time of collection of the residence document, the citizen must prove to be the recipient of this through the presentation of their valid passport.

The correct form for renewing Your TIE card is the: EX-23

Back in 2020, Spain published the official rules for how Brits should apply for and renew their TIEs. Buried in the legal text is the important detail: the official form for Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries is EX-23.

This applies not just to your first application, but also to renewals — even if the wording in the instructions isn’t crystal clear at first glance.

So, to put it simply: If you’re a UK national under the Withdrawal Agreement, use EX-23 every time.

Why you shouldn’t use EX-17 for renewing your TIE

Form EX-17 is for non-EU nationals applying under Spain’s domestic immigration laws — people from outside the EU who are here on regular permits or long-term stays.

That’s not you. Brits who fall under the Withdrawal Agreement have treaty rights, which put them in a different category. Using EX-17 could cause:

• Your application to be processed under the wrong law.
• Delays, rejections, or extra fees.
• Potential confusion about your Withdrawal Agreement protections.

In short: EX-17 = headaches you don’t need.

Why the Mix-Up Happens

To be fair, it’s not always the applicants who get it wrong. Many of us have walked into the extranjería office only to be told something different from one desk to the next. Staff sometimes confuse Withdrawal Agreement renewals with standard third-country renewals — which is why Brits get told to use EX-17.

But if you explain the rules, you can politely insist on the right form: EX-23.

Summary about renewing your TIE

If you’re a UK national in Spain and your TIE is up for renewal:

• Get your padron first
• Book your cita
• Pay the fee at your bank
• Get passport photos
• Complete Form EX-23
• Keep a copy of the Withdrawal Agreement guidance handy, in case an office asks.

The final word about renewing your TIE

Life in Spain already comes with enough paperwork and surprises (who hasn’t been sent to three different counters in one morning?). But when it comes to your TIE renewal, at least this part is clear:

UK passport holders under the Withdrawal Agreement = EX-23, every time.

That way, you keep your residency status safe and avoid unnecessary stress — leaving you free to focus on more important expat matters, like where to find the best Sunday lunch or which beach chiringuito has the coldest beer.

Contact Kiwis in Spain

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to message Kent or stay connected via our Facebook and Instagram pages.

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