Guidance on Travelling with an Expired TIE Under the New EU Border System

Venetia House
5 days ago
2 min read

Guidance for UK Nationals and Residents in Spain

Introduction

The EU is introducing the Entry/Exit System (EES) in late 2025. Many UK nationals and other non-EU residents in Spain are concerned about how this will affect them — especially those who travel while their TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is expired and awaiting renewal.

What Spanish law says

Spain’s new immigration regulation, Real Decreto 1155/2024, makes it clear that residence authorisations and cards keep their validity:

“Las distintas autorizaciones o tarjetas … conservarán dicha validez durante el tiempo para el que hubieren sido expedidas.”(BOE – Real Decreto 1155/2024)

Even more importantly, Article 185 confirms that when you apply for a renewal on time, the validity of your old card is automatically extended until your renewal is resolved:

“…la validez de la autorización anterior quedará prorrogada hasta la resolución del procedimiento.”(Supercontable – Art. 185, RD 1155/2024)

What the UK government says

The UK’s Foreign Travel Advice for Spain states:

“British nationals living in Spain do not need their passports to be stamped. Actively show your proof of residence, such as the foreigner’s identity card (TIE), when presenting your passport at Spanish border control.”(GOV.UK – Spain entry requirements)

The Living in Spain guidance also highlights:

“You will need a TIE to be exempt from the European Entry Exit System (EES).”(GOV.UK – Living in Spain)

How the EES system works

The Entry/Exit System (EES), established by Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, will replace passport stamps for non-EU visitors. It records entry/exit dates, biometric data, and refusals of entry.

Its purpose is to monitor short-stay visitors under the 90/180 day rule. For legal residents, the EES should not apply, provided they can prove their status.

Practical advice if your TIE is expired

If you need to travel with an expired TIE while your renewal is in progress:

Carry your valid passport.
Carry the justificante/resguardo you receive after submitting your renewal — this is the official receipt that proves your residency continues while you wait for the new card.
Keep both a printed copy (to show at border control) and a digital copy (a scan or photo saved on your phone).
If the EES automated gates don’t accept your card, present your passport + justificante to an officer and ask to be processed as a resident.
Allow extra time at the airport for manual checks.

Why this matters

If a resident is incorrectly logged as a visitor under the new system, it could cause problems later, for example, appearing to overstay your “90 days.” Carrying the justificante avoids this risk.

Final note

The exact behaviour of the new gates with expired TIEs is still untested. But Spanish law protects residents with renewals in progress, and UK guidance confirms you should present your residence document at border control.

At Expay, we’ll continue to monitor updates from both Spain and the EU, and keep our clients informed. If you have travel planned with an expired TIE, get in touch, we’re here to help.