British Expats
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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Spain (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/)
-   -   Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/anyone-else-had-problems-border-green-residency-card-948529/)

AdamsAppleR Jun 29th 2023 6:36 am
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Originally Posted by bolton wanderer (Post 13201281)
TBF, that's probably the best way to go. I would wait until you've been resident for 5 years (documented) before changing to the TIE.

Spain was quite happy for people to keep their old green cards, while their bureacracy was being swamped with new applications prior to Brexit but now the emphasis has moved to getting people to exchange their green cards. The wording clearly states that the card shouldn't be used for non EU citizens, which as UK passport holders, no longer applies.
Are you saying that the Green A4 Cert is no longer legal?

Casa Santo Estevo Jun 29th 2023 6:52 am
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Exchanging the green card/certificate was recommended several years ago.
Here is what Age in Spain is saying.
The UK Foreign Office and the Spanish Government recommend any UK national in possession of a green Residency Certificate, to exchange it for the biometric TIE card (that was introduced in July 2021) as soon as possible...... Many UK nationals have reported that they have been denied support or access to a variety of services in Spain, because they did not hold the most up to date document for UK nationals living in Spain. This can affect access to health and social care as well as benefits.
https://www.ageinspain.org/post/exch...cate-for-a-tie
Brits in Spain UK embassy. It is FarceBook but you do not have to be part of it to read the post/watch the video.
Also this is what Brits in Spain say about having your passport stamped.
What is not clear is what if you are consequently refused reentry into Spain. You are one side of the border and your proof of residency is the other side. What documentation, to prove residency, is also not discussed.
I have had no issues because I exchanged my green card for a TIE ASAP. It was quick and simple. Hardly any Brits here so no waiting for appointments.

AdamsAppleR Jun 29th 2023 6:57 am
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
So not obligatory to exchange then.......................I have had on issues by not exchanging for a TIE..............at least 14 flights into Madrid, Malaga, Barca in last 12 months

Lagoo Jun 29th 2023 7:33 am
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Originally Posted by EU.flag (Post 13201284)
Beside a fact that one needs to have 10y of continues residency in Spain, before one can apply for nationality (passport comes after nationality), requirement is also to denounce original nationality.

Spain doesnt allow for dual nationality, except for few ex colonies. UK is not one of those.

So, happy to wave goodbye to UK passport?
Yes.

I've read in a few places that someone can denounce their nationality but it doesn't mean anything legally, and you can keep your 2nd passport. But either way I would be happy with just a Spanish one.

Lagoo Jun 29th 2023 7:34 am
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Originally Posted by Notdunroamin (Post 13201288)
You become entitled to a permanent card after 5 years so you could quite legitimately get a TIE at say 4.5 years then 6 months later apply for the permanent one.
That's a great idea, thanks.

bolton wanderer Jun 29th 2023 8:36 am
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Originally Posted by AdamsAppleR (Post 13201290)
Are you saying that the Green A4 Cert is no longer legal?
No, the card is still considered legal, that is until the Spanish government decide otherwise. The wording of the document is an incorrect description of UK passport holders.

bolton wanderer Jun 29th 2023 8:42 am
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Originally Posted by Notdunroamin (Post 13201288)
You become entitled to a permanent card after 5 years so you could quite legitimately get a TIE at say 4.5 years then 6 months later apply for the permanent one.

It's disturbing that this far in border guards are still getting it wrong :sad_smile:
Unfortunately, at least in the Alicante region, you may find it difficult to renew the TIE before the expiry date. I've heard of a number of people that have a few years left on a temporary card being refused a renewal until 60 days before the TIE expiry. They were told that they are already considered permanent residents even though they have a temporary TIE.

bobd22 Jun 29th 2023 9:14 am
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Originally Posted by bolton wanderer (Post 13201331)
They were told that they are already considered permanent residents even though they have a temporary TIE.
I seem to remember hearing something about that way back. Even before TIE became an issue. What the real rule / law is I don't know. My residency started 2 years before I got the TIE but as I mentioned earlier date on TIE is 5 years from the date I changed from green card to TIE. I will renew at that point and get a permanent one then. It really doesn't affect me being classed as temporary I don't intend leaving Spain for more than the allowed time limit. Only real other advantage I see is not having to renew it for 10 years.

Ronnyone Jun 29th 2023 5:54 pm
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
You can immediately change your TIE for a permanent even if you only had it for a year.I got mine 4 years into my residency. A year later I went and changed it to the permanent TIE. My son travels on his green card and has been asked about it by guards. He speaks fluent Spanish and therefore it is easy for him to explain to the guard that it isnt necessary. The guard then usually asks his companion and they agree but suggest the TIE.
Taking Spanish nationality is not easy. You need a A2 min level of Spanish which is not a walk in the park for monolingual brits. Try the exam if in doubt. Also PP and Vox both want to extend from 10 to 15 years continuous residency. Plus you orally renounce your UK citenzenship. If found to have kept it your Spanish passport is cancelled.

Notdunroamin Jun 29th 2023 7:38 pm
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Originally Posted by bobd22 (Post 13201336)
My residency started 2 years before I got the TIE but as I mentioned earlier date on TIE is 5 years from the date I changed from green card to TIE.
Regardless of the expiry date of a Temporary TIE residency starts on the date on your green card and you become permanent resident 5 years after that. If that's 2, 3 or 4 years into the temporary TIE so be it.

Unless a regular traveller there is nothing to be gained by switching from a temporary TIE to permanent before it's expiry.

Like you I had residency for two years before getting a TIE in Aug 2020 so it runs until Aug 2025. I could if I wished apply for a permanent one in Aug this year but I can't see me bothering.

The only thing which could potentially prompt me to do so is that we were in that early batch which incorrectly said we were family members of an EU citizen but it's of no real significance or consequence and can just as easily be corrected in 2025 as 2023.

bobd22 Jun 29th 2023 8:21 pm
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Originally Posted by Notdunroamin (Post 13201368)
Regardless of the expiry date of a Temporary TIE residency starts on the date on your green card and you become permanent resident 5 years after that. If that's 2, 3 or 4 years into the temporary TIE so be it.

Unless a regular traveller there is nothing to be gained by switching from a temporary TIE to permanent before it's expiry.

Like you I had residency for two years before getting a TIE in Aug 2020 so it runs until Aug 2025. I could if I wished apply for a permanent one in Aug this year but I can't see me bothering.

The only thing which could potentially prompt me to do so is that we were in that early batch which incorrectly said we were family members of an EU citizen but it's of no real significance or consequence and can just as easily be corrected in 2025 as 2023.
We are of the same view.

DLC Jun 29th 2023 9:32 pm
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
And once you finally get a TIE there's always the chance you'll get the border guard who got out of bed the wrong side that day and stamps your passport anyway. :)

Notdunroamin Jun 30th 2023 12:35 am
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Unlikely but it wouldn't matter a t055 if they did :p

Rita1 Jun 30th 2023 12:29 pm
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Just to add from my experience
Shortly after the TIE came in, early 2021, I tried to register as autonomo. I still hadn't got a TIE and still hadn't applied becaise I was waiting for an updated cert de padrón and the town where I lived was very slow on that.
I was told that I could NOT register as autonmo until I had the new TIE. The man who phoned me to tell me this explained that yes, he could see on the system that I had permanent residency but couold also see that I hadn't yet applied for the TIE:. He said that I didn't have to have the TIE, just to have applied for it, to be able to register. That's the point at which we stopped understanding each other, he (naturally, I suppose) couldn't understand why it wasn't a simple matter to get the application in.

So, clearly, even if the old green card/sheet still gives you residency status, the TIE is better. Plus it's a photocard so solves all those problems we've had since the old-style ID card was removed.

Ronnyone Jun 30th 2023 4:46 pm
Re: Anyone else had problems at border with green residency card?
 
Originally Posted by Rita1 (Post 13201513)
Just to add from my experience
Shortly after the TIE came in, early 2021, I tried to register as autonomo. I still hadn't got a TIE and still hadn't applied becaise I was waiting for an updated cert de padrón and the town where I lived was very slow on that.
I was told that I could NOT register as autonmo until I had the new TIE. The man who phoned me to tell me this explained that yes, he could see on the system that I had permanent residency but couold also see that I hadn't yet applied for the TIE:. He said that I didn't have to have the TIE, just to have applied for it, to be able to register. That's the point at which we stopped understanding each other, he (naturally, I suppose) couldn't understand why it wasn't a simple matter to get the application in.

So, clearly, even if the old green card/sheet still gives you residency status, the TIE is better. Plus it's a photocard so solves all those problems we've had since the old-style ID card was removed.
You do need the TIE for jobs now.


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