TIE Card in Valencia: Fingerprints and Collection

What it is

The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero is the card that proves a non-EU national is legally staying or living in Spain. It carries your photo, your NIE, the type of authorisation and its expiry date. In Valencia you will be asked for it at the bank, at your health centre, when renting and every time you re-enter Spain.

Getting it means two visits to the police: one to give your fingerprints and one to collect the card. In Valencia city, fingerprints for the TIE and card collection are handled at the Comisaría de Patraix (Calle Gremis, 6). Outside the city, the appointment system also lists other police stations in the province, such as Alzira, Burjassot, Gandia, Ontinyent, Paterna, Sagunto and Xirivella; Gandia, for example, offers “Expedición TIE”. We check which office applies to your address.

The rules give you a short window: as a general rule, one month from your arrival with a long-stay visa, or from the date your authorisation is granted. Fingerprint slots in Valencia are in high demand, so it pays to start as soon as you land.

Who it is for

• Students, digital nomads, retirees and workers who have arrived in Valencia with a long-stay visa.
• People whose residence authorisation has just been approved by the Valencia foreigners' office.
• Residents who have renewed their permit and need the new card.
• Anyone in Valencia who has lost their card or had it stolen.
• Non-EU family members of EU citizens living in Valencia.

Documents usually needed

• Passport with your visa (original and copy).
• Form EX-17, filled in and signed.
• Receipt for the fee paid with modelo 790 code 012.
• One recent colour passport photo, white background.
• The approval resolution, if your authorisation was granted in Spain.
• A recent padrón certificate from your Valencia town hall, which is commonly requested.

The list varies with the type of authorisation. We confirm the exact documents for your case before we book.

How we handle it

1. Deadline check. From your visa entry stamp or resolution date, we work out exactly how much time you have.
2. File ready. We complete the EX-17 and the fee form, and check your photo and documents.
3. Fingerprint slot. We search the official system for the TIE fingerprint appointment (toma de huellas) at the police station for your address and book it.
4. Collection slot. Once the card is ready, we book the collection appointment and send you a reminder of what to take.
5. Follow-up. If the police ask for anything else, we prepare it with you so the card is not delayed.

Timeframes

Expect the fingerprint appointment to be the bottleneck, especially in Valencia city in September and October, when students and new residents arrive. After the fingerprints you get a receipt, and the card is normally ready a few weeks later. Plan on one to two months from start to finish.

Price

From 200 € + VAT: form, fee document, fingerprint appointment and collection appointment. The official fee is paid separately. Need the padrón as well? We quote the two together.

Frequently asked questions