British expats in Spain issued urgent warning by UK Embassy as major rule change looms

The British Embassy in Spain has urged expats to apply for their TIE resident card, before the new Entry/Exit System is rolled out across the EU. The EES will be rolled out across the European Union from October 12 for non-EU citizens travelling to the continent.

Under the new scheme, travellers will have their facial image and fingerprints scanned upon their first entry to the Schengen Area, with the data stored for future reference. The new border system is expected to be fully implemented by April 10, 2026 and EU officials hope it will enhance security across Europe. To avoid being treated as tourists, British expats in Spain have been told to make sure they possess the new residency cards known as Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE).

The previous residency documents - the so-called Green Certificate - will no longer be recognised and exempt from the EES.

In a statement on its website, the British Embassy wrote: "British Green Certificate holders resident in Spain need to apply for a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) in order to be exempt from registering with the EES.

"Otherwise, you may be treated as a tourist when entering the Europe. For more information and links to apply for the TIE, please visit the 'visas and residency' section of the British Embassy´s Living in Spain Guidance.

"The British Embassy is aware that some British nationals in Spain are having difficulty booking appointments to obtain or renew their TIE. We continue to raise this issue with Spanish authorities.

"Please keep checking the appointment system regularly and try using the Cl@ve digital signature."

Similar advice has also been posted by the FCDO to its travel advice website.

Foreign Office officials wrote: "Green Certificates ('Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea') will not be recognised for EES exemption.

"The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) is the only residency document listed in the EU Schengen Border Guard Handbook and is the only document which border officers will accept as legal proof of residency.

"Green Certificate holders may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and, therefore, denied entry to Spain or other Schengen countries.

"Contact the Spanish Government's 'Extranjeria' offices for information on how to apply for the new TIE."