I'm just curious about passport checks for TIE-holders. Does passport control log your entries and exits from the country if you hand them your TIE? If so, I can't see the advantage in handing in your TIE to passport control. Can someone please explain??

My partner has the Portuguese version of a TIE card and as far as I'm aware, the card is not logged onto any system but it is are proof that you are protected by the withdrawal agreement and you have the right to remain in Spain. It should mean you do not have your passport stamped but there are a lot of inconsistencies with this and my partner has had difficulties at the Gibraltar border. For example, I've got an Irish passport card which is like an EU ID card and I'm just waved through but my partner is always stopped and the TIE equivalent card is checked against the passport details and they then check every single page of the passport. I don't know how they do it but Spanish border force can spot a non EU document a mile off and in semi darkness!

When EES starts in October, EU residents from third countries will be exempt from EES scanners and (next year) ETIAS but they will always have to go to a manual booth at Schengen borders.

Thanks. So if I understand what you're saying, currently, if you show your TIE, your entry and exit are not logged in any way, and will not be logged even once EES comes in later this year? If so, that answers my question perfectly. I was just thinking that, if you get logged even when you show your TIE, then - as long as you do actually have legal permanent residency - there's not much point in taking your TIE with you every time you travel.

My passport is always stamped on the way out of Spain and the way back in whether I show my TIE or not - there really is no issue (other than filling the pages)

Thanks. That's really my question then - what actually is the benefit in showing your TIE?

Flying out of/back into Málaga, I present my TIE and my passport has never been stamped. Whether my exit and re-entry is recorded, I have no idea and I can't say I care either way, I am only ever leaving for a matter of a few days anyway.

I do wish, however, that having the TIE (or the old style residencia communitaria card) enabled me to use the same queue for passport control as Spanish nationals and EU citizens.

I'm the same fly from Málaga show NIE no passport stamp. The time limits that apply to non residents/tourists don't apply to those resident whether the passport is stamped or not. If you have a TIE surely better to show it at passport control as they shouldn't stamp the passport. Some obviously still are. Time limits for those of us resident in Spain before losing right to residency are very different and I doubt at this time they are actually logged whether one shows TIE or not.When I present my Passport and TIE card they simply look at front page of passport and the TIE card presumably to check they match.

I fly from Alicante or Valencia - clearly different airports have different 'rules'.

Seems to depend very much on the airport. I was told to join the Spain/EU citizen queue and as they don't have stamps in those booths, they don't stamp them either.

I was under the impression EU residents with residency cards could go through the EU national channel at Malaga. Have you ever tried it? My partner has gone through the EU channel with me but that was a while ago and I suppose it might have changed.

There is little issue currently with those holding UK passport and TIE when arriving in Spain on non-Schengen flight. What I do worry is when the new entry-exit system (EES) is introduced at the end of this year. Those with non-EU passport, non-visa nationals not resident in Schengen will simply scan their passport and their entry/exit is recorded, plus facial image taken (and possibly fingerprint). Those with residency who are exempt from EES will presumably have to line up at a manned station (like now) but we may get delayed queuing with visa nationals (Chinese, Russians, most Africans and Asians etc) who need to have their visa verified and passport stamped. It will be best if we are allowed to use EU line but I fear technology won't allow it.

It's not really supposed to be stamped, but some people obviously haven't had the training and/or knowledge to know that so they just automatically stamp everyone.

Currently? Not getting a stamp. You just get waived through...

Could you perhaps 'pretend' to be non resident, who cares about passport stamps!

I have never been told that. I have read comments from some people that they have asked and been allowed to join the Spain/EU citizen queue and some saying they have asked and been refused, so it seems to be one of those cases where it depends which member of staff is on shift and how good a mood they happen to be in. I would much prefer a clear rule that allows permanent residents to join that queue.

Your situation is different, as I believe non EU citizens who are travelling with a spouse who is an EU citizen are allowed to go through that channel with them. That doesn't apply to me.