British Embassy urges Brits residents in Spain to check their ID

The British Embassy is urging all British nationals resident in Spain to get check their ID, following new information that the old Green Certificate will not be recognised by the EU’s Entry Exit System and to apply for a biometric TIE card as soon as possible if they do not have one.

Although the exact date that EES will be introduced has not been confirmed, the system will require third country nationals, including UK nationals, visiting the EU to create a digital record and provide their biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) at the border when they enter the EU’s Schengen Zone. Green Certificates will not be recognised and Green Certificate holders may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and therefore, denied entry to Spain or other Schengen countries.

The only way for British residents in Spain to be exempt from registering with the EES and guarantee their smooth entry into Spain is with a TIE. If they haven’t done so already, they will need get a TIE now before EES comes into force later this year.

For more information about how to apply for the TIE, visit the official website of the Policía Nacional – Extranjería here or contact an agency which specialises in assisting foreign citizens which such applications, such as Carmen Alesanco. In addition, there is further information provided by the Spanish Government on moving to Spain here.