How to travel while renewing your residence permit (TIE)?
Let’s suppose your documents have expired and are currently being renewed. You may have some free time at work or the semester at university has ended, and you want to explore the beauty of different European countries or even venture outside of Europe for a few weeks. In either case, the desire to travel persists despite the expiration of your documents. However, traveling while they are being renewed can present difficulties unless you have a Return Authorization.
What is the Return Authorization?
A Return Authorization is a document that allows you to travel and return to Spain while your papers are being renewed. However, it’s important to note that this document is only valid for a single return to Spain. If you have planned to return to Spain multiple times during the renewal process, you will need to apply for a Return Authorization for each of these occasions. This authorization is also valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you have not received your new TIE within that timeframe and plan to travel, you must apply for a new Return Authorization.
Is it necessary to travel within Europe?
This is where things get complicated. Most people will tell you that it’s not necessary, that this document is only required if you plan to leave the Schengen Area. However, this advice can be misleading.
In Spain, having a favorable resolution on your residence permit has the same effects as a physical TIE, although you may encounter problems in some of the more stringent EU countries. They may require verification of your passport and TIE , and may deny you entry if your TIE has expired. That is, other EU countries may require proof of your TIE (as well as your passport) confirming your legal status in Spain, or your authorization to leave and return to the country. This is where the Return Authorization can be helpful. However, if you plan to travel outside the European Union, you definitely need to apply for one.
Although most border and airport security checkpoints between European countries won’t ask for your return authorization, don’t risk it! Follow our advice, as you could be detained while traveling.
Another article that might interest you:
Did you know that having a residence permit in Spain doesn’t allow you to travel freely throughout the European Union? In this article, we explain the differences between the EU and the Schengen Area, which countries you can visit without a visa, and when you need one. This is very useful if you’re thinking about traveling around Europe.
