Renewing Long-Term Residence Card in Spain

How to Renew the Long-Term Residence Card? When Should You Do It? What Form Do You Need? We Explain in Detail the Process of the Commonly Known “Long-Term NIE Renewal.”

What is the Long-Term Residence Card?

The Long-Term Residence Card is a permit granted to individuals who have legally resided in Spain continuously for at least 5 years. This card grants you permanent residency, allowing you to live and work in Spain without any restrictions.

Although the residency permit is permanent, the physical card itself is valid for five years. Once the card expires, it needs to be renewed to ensure you remain properly documented in Spain.

When Should I Renew the Long-Term Residence Card?

Unlike other cards or permits, where you can start the renewal process before the expiration date, the renewal of the Long-Term Residence Card can only be done once the card has expired. This is because the competent police station cannot issue a new card while the current one is still valid.

Therefore, you must wait until your long-term residence card has expired to start the renewal process. This process includes taking fingerprints and requesting the issuance of a new card, which will again be valid for five years.

Long-Term NIE Renewal Process

The long-term residence renewal process is relatively simple, but it’s crucial to follow the steps correctly to avoid any inconvenience:

1. Wait for the Expiration of the Current Card: As mentioned, the renewal can only be initiated once the card has expired. This is a very common mistake among those who want to renew their long-term residence card.
2. Request the Renewal: Go to the police station to start the long-term NIE renewal process. You will need to submit the required documentation to renew your long-term NIE, including the EX–17 application form, your valid passport, and the expired residence card. The EX-17 form is essential for starting the long-term residence card renewal process.
3. Fingerprinting: As part of the process, you will need to have your fingerprints taken at the police station, which is a mandatory requirement for issuing the new card.
4. Receive the New Card: After completing the long-term NIE renewal process, you will be issued a new long-term residence card, valid for five years.

Meeting all the requirements to renew the long-term NIE is crucial to ensure the success of the renewal.

What Documentation Do I Need to Renew the Long-Term Residence Card?

To renew your Long-Term Residence Card in Spain, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. EX-17 Application Form: Properly completed and signed. We could say that this form is one of the most important requirements for renewing the residence card.
2. Valid Passport: The original and a complete copy of all pages of your current passport.
3. Expired Long-Term Residence Card: The original and a copy of the residence card you wish to renew.
4. Recent Photograph: You will need to provide a recent color photograph (32×26 mm) with a white and uniform background. The photo must show your face directly, with your head uncovered and without dark glasses or any items that could hinder your identification. The image must be high resolution and printed on good quality photographic paper, clearly showing the face’s oval shape (eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and chin).
5. Registration Certificate: Issued by the Town Hall where your residence is registered, with a maximum age of three months. This document is mandatory only if you have changed your address during the validity of your current card.
6. Fee 790 Code 012: Paid in full. This fee is necessary for processing the long-term residence card renewal. The cost of this renewal fee is typically around €22.

All the documents on the list are crucial to proceed with the long-term residence card renewal.

Appointments and Waiting Times for Long-Term NIE Renewal

To renew the long-term residence, it is essential to request an appointment for the long-term NIE renewal. It’s ideal to do it right after your current card expires. Remember, the long-term residence renewal must be done at the police station corresponding to your address, and the availability of an appointment may vary.

Once you have your appointment for the long-term NIE renewal, make sure to attend on the scheduled date and time with all the necessary documentation to expedite the process.

Avoid Common Mistakes in the Long-Term Residence Renewal Process

Although the renewal process is relatively simple, mistakes can be made that may delay it. Some of the most common are:

• Not Paying the Fee in Advance: The fee for renewing the long-term NIE must be paid before the appointment. Bring the proof of payment so that your application can be processed. If you don’t pay the renewal fee in advance, it may delay the process.
• Requesting the Renewal Too Early: The renewal can only be initiated once the card has expired. Request your appointment for the long-term residence card renewal for the day after the expiration date.
• Missing Documentation: Make sure you bring all the documents for the long-term NIE renewal, including any optional ones that could facilitate the process to ensure the successful renewal of your long-term residence card.

Can I Renew the Long-Term Residence Card in Any City?

No. You must renew the card at the police station corresponding to your registered address. This police station is the only one authorized to process the long-term residence permit renewal.

Although it may be tempting to try to schedule the renewal appointment in a different city, especially if you have difficulty getting an appointment in your city, it is not possible to carry out the process at a police station different from the one in your place of registration. If you try to do so, they will not assist you, and you will not be able to start the renewal process. Therefore, it is essential to schedule the appointment at the police station corresponding to your city of residence.isaría distinta a la de tu lugar de empadronamiento. Si intentas hacerlo, no te atenderán y no podrás iniciar el proceso para la renovación tarjeta larga duración. Por lo tanto, es esencial que gestiones la cita en la comisaría correspondiente a tu ciudad de residencia.

What Happens If You Forget to Renew the Long-Term Card on Time?

If you miss the renewal date for your long-term residence card, don’t worry too much. Legally, your situation in Spain will not be affected by the expiration of the physical card. You will maintain your right to reside and work in the country indefinitely.

However, it is important to renew your card as soon as possible, as an expired card could lead to financial penalties if authorities require it, just like with NIEs or passports. To avoid potential fines, it is crucial to request an appointment to renew your long-term NIE.

Frequently Asked Questions about Long-Term Residence Card Renewal

1. When should I renew my long-term residence card? You should request the renewal within 60 calendar days before your current card expires. You can also do it within 90 days after the expiration, but you might face penalties if you don’t initiate the renewal process within the specified time.
2. What happens if I don’t renew my card on time? Although your right to reside and work in Spain will not expire, you may face financial penalties if the authorities ask for the card and it is expired. That’s why you should stick to the renewal deadlines for your long-term NIE.
3. Where should I renew my card? Renewal is done at the Foreigners’ Office or Police Station corresponding to your current address in Spain.
4. Do I need an appointment to renew my long-term residence card? Yes, it is essential to request an appointment to renew your long-term NIE. We recommend doing it as soon as your card expires to avoid delays.
5. How long does the renewal process take? The resolution period is typically 3 months from the submission of the application.
6. Can I work with an expired residence card? If you submitted your renewal request within the established period (60 days before expiration or 90 days after), your residence and work permit will automatically be extended until the renewal is processed, so you can continue working legally. While you can continue working, it is crucial to renew your long-term residence card.
7. Do I need a lawyer to renew my long-term residence card? It is not mandatory, but seeking advice from a lawyer specialized in immigration can be very useful to ensure that all requirements are met for renewing the long-term NIE and to avoid mistakes in the process.
8. What happens if my renewal request is denied? If your long-term residence card renewal request is denied, you can file an appeal before the Ministry of the Interior within one month from the denial notification.
9. Can I travel outside of Spain while waiting for my card renewal?
10. Yes, you can travel outside Spain while waiting for your renewal, as long as you have a valid passport and the favorable resolution of the renewal, even if the physical card is not ready yet.
11. What do I need to renew the long-term NIE? Some of the requirements for renewing the long-term NIE include: proving that you have legally resided in Spain for the last 5 years. You will also need to present your valid passport, a recent passport photo, the application form, and prove that you have no criminal record in Spain or any other country where you have lived. Be sure to meet all the requirements and submit the documentation within the specified time to successfully renew your long-term residence card.
12. How do I renew the long-term NIE / Long-Term Residence Card? To renew the long-term NIE, you should do so 60 days before expiration or up to 90 days after the expiration. Although you can initiate the renewal even after the deadline, it is recommended to do so before the expiration date to avoid complications such as penalties or legal stay issues in Spain. The process can be done online or in person, ensuring that you have all the correct documentation.
13. How much is the fee for renewing the long-term NIE? The fee for renewing the long-term NIE in Spain is typically around €22, although this amount may vary depending on the autonomous community and the current regulations at the time of the request. It’s essential to check the updated information before starting the process to ensure you pay the correct amount.
14. When can I renew my long-term residence card? You can request the renewal of your long-term NIE from 60 days before its expiration date and up to 90 days after it has expired. Although you can start the long-term renewal process even after the deadline, it is advisable to do it before the expiration date to avoid complications such as fines or issues with legal stay in Spain.
15. What is needed to renew the long-term NIE? To renew the long-term NIE, you need to meet certain requirements: not having been outside Spain for more than 12 consecutive months, not having a criminal record, submitting the EX-17 form, a valid passport, a passport-sized photo, and the payment receipt for the fee. You may also be asked for the empadronamiento certificate and other documents to prove your residence in Spain.
16. What documents do I need to renew the long-term NIE? To renew the long-term NIE, you will need the following key documents: the EX-17 form properly filled out, a copy of your valid passport, a recent passport-sized photo, and the payment receipt for the corresponding fee. You may also be asked for an updated empadronamiento certificate, and in some cases, you will need to show that you have no criminal record in Spain. Meeting these document requirements is crucial to successfully renew your long-term residence card.
17. How early can I renew the long-term NIE? You can renew the long-term NIE within 60 days before its expiration or up to 90 days after it has expired. However, it’s recommended to do it in advance to avoid any inconveniences or issues that might arise due to delays in the process.
18. Can I renew an expired NIE that’s been over 90 days? Yes, it is possible to renew a long-term NIE that has been expired for more than 90 days, but this may require additional review by the authorities and, in some cases, an administrative fine. While it is not ideal, it can be managed if you meet the requirements and justify the delay.
19. Where can I renew my long-term NIE? To renew your long-term residence card, go to the Foreigners’ Office or police station corresponding to your address. It is recommended to schedule an appointment online at the Foreigners’ Office to expedite the process.
20. What happens if my long-term residence card expires while I am outside Spain? If your long-term residence card expires while you are outside Spain, you could have problems re-entering the country. In some cases, proof that the renewal process has started may help, but it will depend on the border authorities’ discretion. The best option is to renew the card before leaving Spain to avoid complications upon returning.