TIE card applications can now be processed in town
TIE card applications can now be processed around Alicante province
Appointments can be made for Benidorm, two locations in Alicante as well as Torrevieja.
APPOINTMENTS to acquire the TIE foreign residents’ identification card are now available at more offices in Alicante province.
The British Embassy’s ‘Brits in Spain’ Facebook page published on Wednesday that 'the Spanish authorities have confirmed with us that they have opened up TIE appointments for UK nationals in the following areas: Alicante Campo de Mirra (as well as continuing in the Ebanistaria office), Benidorm and Torrevieja'.
“Appointments in Elche should be available shortly,” they added.
The post acknowledged that ‘some of you have been having difficulties getting TIE appointments in Alicante province’, and frustrated residents have told Costa Blanca News they have been unable to get one despite a multitude of attempts.
An Embassy spokeswoman acknowledged the new appointments might take a few days to filter through the system but encouraged residents to keep trying.
Yesterday (Thursday) morning Costa Blanca News was able to find appointments in Alicante (Calle Ebanistería), Benidorm (Avenida Callosa d’Ensarria),
and Elche (Calle Lavet).
Notably the Benidorm appointment was for 19.36, confirming accounts from expat services companies and translators that it was opening in the evenings, who also claimed staff at this office speak English.
Britons who were legally registered in Spain before 1 January, 2021, can still obtain residency and the spokeswoman told Costa Blanca News that the Embassy ‘strongly encourages
them to do so as soon as possible’.
She also pointed out that the first stage of the procedure can be carried out online if the applicant has a digital certificate, which can be obtained from their local town hall or they could employ a ‘gestor’ (professional advisor).
A National Police spokeswoman confirmed that the service has been ‘reinforced’ at the Alicante, Elche, Benidorm and Torrevieja offices.
To request an appointment to apply for the TIE, use the following link and options as to where they are currently available will be provided –https:// sede.administracionespublicas. gob.es/icpplus/index.html
The Embassy notes that three organisations in Spain are being funded by the UK government ‘to provide practical support to UK nationals to complete their residency applications in Spain and secure their rights under the Withdrawal
Agreement’.
These are The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Age in Spain and Babelia Association, with the latter two covering Murcia and Valencia regions respectively.
A Babelia spokesman explained that the other offices becoming available for TIE applications ‘would be very welcome for many people who have had problems’.
As well as saving them money and time by being closer to home, he noted that elderly people and those with mobility problems had been struggling, so would benefit.
The spokesman admitted that there have been some additional ‘difficulties’ since the New Year deadline, ‘mainly because immigration is checking more details and they may have to prove they were living here legally before then’.
Nevertheless he advised not to be put off by this and not to wait either, urging those without residency to ‘crucially get the first step done’.
It is not a legal requirement for residents who already hold a green residency certificate or card to exchange it for a TIE, he noted.
Babelia can be contacted via their website http://asociacion babelia.org or by telephone on 86 582 02 29.