Brits living in Spain have been issued an urgent warning over ID cards. (Image: Getty)
Britons living in who still have the old ID have been issued an urgent warning by the British Embassy in Madrid as this paperwork is set to expire very soon.
The old paper green resident certificate must be exchanged for a – and quickly.
“Do you know anyone still using a paper Green Certificate as their ID?” the statement from the Embassy reads.
“If so, please help us spread the word that it’s time to get a TIE. We and the Spanish Government are encouraging all Green Certificate holders to exchange their paper document for the biometric TIE as soon as possible.”
The Embassy explained that the new ID is the most durable and dependable way to prove your rights in Spain and exempts Brits from registering with the EU’s new controversial when it comes into force later this year.
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The British Embassy warns the Green Certificate may adversely affect their ability to travel. (Image: Getty)
The TIE will “minimis[e] delays and disruption at the border,” the Embassy added, warning that Green Certificate holders entering or exiting the “may be wrongly identified of having ‘overstayed’ by the Entry-Exit System,” which may adversely affect their ability to travel in the future.
“The majority of British people living in Spain have already got a TIE, but we need your help to reach those yet to make the switch. So please spread the word and the link to apply: ”
The TIE has been described as a “one-stop card” by the which means that users do not have to show their British passports at hotels, while hiring cars, or at EU border controls.
The card proves that the holder has legal status to stay in Spain for more than six months and includes details such as the holder’s name and surname, the period of validity, a unique Foreign Identity Number (NIE), photograph and the type of permit to stay in Spain.
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Brits can apply for a TIE card by booking an appointment at a police station online. (Image: Getty)
Brits can apply for a TIE card by booking an appointment at a police station online and are required to bring certain documents to the appointment, including your visa certificate, a complete EX-20 form, your and a copy of every page, proof of payment of the application fee and a recent passport-sized photograph.
Any documents in English must be submitted alongside an official translation of them in Spanish.
Due to start this year, the EU’s new EES system will be an automated IT system for registering travellers each time they cross an EU external border.
The system will register the person’s name, type of travel document, biometric data (such as and face images) and the date and place of entry and exit. It will replace the current system of manually stamping passports.