EXPLAINED: How to renew your long-term residency card in Spain

Spain's long-term residency card is known as the Tarjeta de Larga Duración in Spanish.

It is not quite the same as the Tarjeta de Residencia Permanente (permanent residency card). 

The difference is that those who apply for a long-term residency card rather than a permanent one didn't initially get five years of temporary residence. Instead they have had to renew shorter temporary one or two-year visas and residency cards that add up to five years. This may include non-EU nationals with the non-lucrative visa or the digital nomad visa.  

Permanent residency card holders on the other hand were granted five full years of temporary residency from the beginning and after that period elapses they can apply for a tarjeta permanente, which has to be renewed every ten years. People who are a family member of a Spanish or EU citizen and UK nationals in Spain with Brexit Withdrawal Agreement residency rights can have permanent residency cards.

READ MORE: The differences between Spain's permanent and long-term residency cards

For the purposes of this article, we are only looking at renewing the Tarjeta de Larga Duración.

The long-term residency card has to be renewed every five years.

Thankfully, renewing the card is a relatively straightforward process.

This will not renew your status as a legal resident in Spain, but only the physical card, as you will already have the right to stay.

When to renew your card

Long-term residence is renewed once your current card has expired. It’s important to note that you cannot renew it a month before it expires.

The trick is that when you see your expiry date approaching you must apply for an appointment online at the immigration office. Ideally, choose the date the day after the card expires, to avoid being left with an invalid card for a long period of time.

Of course, if you’ve lived in Spain for five years already, you’ll know that applying for these appointments is notoriously difficult and most of the time you will just have to take the date you’re given.

READ ALSO: How to get a 'cita previa' (appointment) in Spain when it seems impossible

How to renew your card

You will need to apply for your appointment via the following link. 

You need to make sure your appointment is at the police station closest to your usual place of residence. You can find a list here. 

Generally, in order to be able to renew, you shouldn’t have stayed outside of the EU for more than 12 months, unless you have a valid reason, and you should not have committed a crime.

When it’s time for your appointment you must take the following documents:

• EX-17 application form
• Padrón certificate (in the event that you have changed address)
• Your long-term card such as TIE which has expired and a photocopy of it
• Original passport and photocopy
• Proof that you have paid the corresponding fee via form 790-012
• A recent photo

It is possible that some police stations will ask you for proof of continuous residence for the last five years, but not always. 

If necessary you could also bring proof that you have been living in Spain in recent years, such as stamps in your passport if you have entered or left, purchase receipts, invoices, etc.

READ ALSO: Can I get my padrón online in Spain?

What happens at the appointment and how long will it take?

At the police station, they will take all your documents plus your fingerprints.

Around one month after everything has been processed you will be able to go and pick up your new card. Be aware that some places require you to get another appointment to pick it up.

While you're waiting for your new card to be issued, your residence is still fully valid and you can continue to live and work in the country; although if you are going to travel outside of Spain you must request a return authorisation.

READ ALSO: Why is it so hard to get an appointment at some of Spain's foreigner offices?