Another TIE experience
August 10 Email
Hi Dave Jones
I hope you are keeping well – I have been following your articles and letters regarding the TIE application. I have written about my experience and also my response to the letter "Another experience...", name and address withheld, printed in this week's CBN.
I decided to go ahead and apply for the TIE having read the editor’s personal experience and particularly his quote, quite simply put, “why wouldn't you want one?”
I could see no reason to wait. So, with the help of Dave’s comprehensive account, featured in CBN on 17th July, I completed the process to apply for mine and my husband’s new identity card.
Last week we attended the appointment in Alicante and we are now waiting to collect the cards in a couple of weeks’ time. I have been advised not to go on a Thursday as the market is held in the car park next to the police station.
The whole process was relatively simple. I speak fairly good Spanish, but I admit to having used google translate for some of the technical terms. I was unsure about a couple of questions on the EX-23 form so I emailed my legal advisors, PSB, in Torrevieja, and they very kindly helped me, even advising me about where to park for the appointment. PSB offers a service to complete the forms and make an appointment, which I would recommend if you don't have access to a computer. Providing you have all the correct paperwork you should not have a problem attending the appointment without an advisor. The officers that dealt with mine and my husband’s application were extremely helpful.
I believe that we will all need a TIE eventually so it seems sensible to apply now at a time when appointments are easily available.
Even so, none of my friends have applied, and they seem surprised by my decision. I have been asked on numerous occasions, “Why are you bothering, you don't have to do anything?” One friend even told me she had been advised against it. I appreciate that many expats are not computer literate, may not speak Spanish and are, perhaps, not in a position to pay an advisor to do the whole process, or in some cases just do not want to bother. In addition, the British Embassy has confirmed that no action is necessary.
There are a number of conspiracy theories about why the Spanish Government and the British Embassy are advising UK expats that they do not need to