Question
Reminder. Someone was told they could use the TIE to enter Gibraltar. What followed has resulted in a denuncia. The TIE is neither ID nor a travel document.
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
“Been to Gibraltar recently….. Passport to enter, both passport and TIE to return as a resident with no stamp in passport”
“Just been to Gib .. they looked at uk passport plus TIE… because of TIE the UK passport was not stamped……no TIE means passport stamped !”
“not always. I have lived here in Madrid for 36 years. I went to London in July. Outgoing: TIE first passport second, no stamp. Return: passport officer more interested in telling his colleague about apartment he had bought in Alicante. TIE first, passport second and he stamped it.”
“Proof of residency = TIE, Proof of ID = Passport. At passport control:
Border Agent looks at your passport
-Where do you live?
-Spain, and here is my supporting document. (Person hands over the TIE)
Welcome to Gibraltar, overseas territory of the United Kingdom and self-governing in all matters but defense.”
“Now we’re going to get various posts are telling us how people entered other countries in the EU with a TIE. Well you have been lucky?”
“We got refused entry without uk passport.”
“A group of six of us went two weeks ago and two were refused entry without their passports. Both are fluent in Spanish and all their pleading they still didn’t get in.”
“A passport is the only legal ID for UK citizens.”
“My husband goes every week he works there. TIE and passport no problems in and out with no stamp in passport”
“I think a lot of people believe, Wright or wrong, that a TIE will allow them travel within the EU as an national identity document. Unfortunately even though the TIE is an abbreviation meaning Card of identity of foreigner it only is a residence document allowing you as an individual and citizen of a third country the right to reside in the country of issue. So no it’s not a travel document but could be so maybe! if the UK allowed EU citizens to visit the UK on their national ID documents rather than what is required now…. passports!!!
3 years ago you could travel on a EU driving licence, but each country had the option to insist that you entered and carried within their territory an approved government ID document. UK now and before is passport and EU was EU issued DNI or equivalent and passport. The Spanish a long time ago, 30 years, did issue foreigners an equivalent of the DNI, but after objections by British expats about being forced to have an ID document and a fingerprint taken, when their country (UK) didn’t require it, forced under EU law the Spanish to withdraw the requirement!!!”
Conclusion
In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, the use of the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) for travel, particularly to Gibraltar, is a topic of varied experiences and interpretations. While the TIE is recognized as a proof of residency in Spain, it is not a valid travel document or a form of identification on its own. Most members agree that a passport is essential for travel and entry into Gibraltar.
Experiences shared by the group members indicate that while the TIE can accompany a passport to avoid getting it stamped, it cannot replace the passport. Some members have noted instances where entry into Gibraltar was denied without a passport, despite having a TIE. The discussions also highlight a common misconception that the TIE might allow travel within the EU as a national identity document, which is not the case.
The necessity of carrying a passport, especially for UK citizens, is underscored in these shared experiences. This highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to travel documentation requirements, particularly in the context of changing regulations post-Brexit.
