Question
Can I enter Spain without TIE? My wallet was stolen, and I need to travel outside Spain/Schengen for work soon. I can’t get an Autorización de Regreso appointment in time. Any advice on traveling without it? I have a valid US passport, NIE, and 5-year residency but no physical TIE card. I can provide documents like a passport, photocopy of the TIE, and a police report.
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“Fly back to Lisbon and get a connecting flight to Barcelona from there. Lisbon airport is overwhelmed with American tourists and once they see the blue book they will give you a quick stamp and wave you right through.”
“That’s a really bad idea. Entering through Spain means the immigration officials have access to her immigration status whereas a Portuguese won’t.”
“Can’t you simply use only your passport, being sure to get the appropriate stamps?”
“Hi, since I’ve been living in Spain for several years I assume it’s possible they could ask for a valid visa/residency card in addition to passport. Since technically as a tourist/with USA passport alone I believe you can only be here 90 days in/90 days out.”
“I see. We’ve trailed home and have never been asked. Do you have a photo or copy of your tarjeta?”
“Yes, I have a photo of both sides of stolen tarjeta! I’ve also never been asked for the tarjeta when entering Spain, only passport. But just like to be cautious with these things..”
“I wouldn’t worry about Spain, if you have things like a resguardo, you’ll be fine. I’ve had problems boarding at my origin though…that’s where you should be worried. Sounds like all you can do is take docs and hope for the best.”
“Thanks…so interesting, I’ve never been questioned when boarding a plane before. I was just worried about the border in Spain…Good to know.”
“this happened to me in 2019 and I was a nervous wreck. I brought printed copies of the card as well as the original letter approving that TIE and I also brought the police report where I reported the wallet & TIE stolen. I had to argue for about 45 minutes with airline staff in London to get them to let me board, but Spanish border control did not care at all. They literally took my US passport, stamped it, and sent me on my way. No questions asked.”
“I don’t know if it’s the case in Barcelona but at some police stations in Madrid you can go without an appointment for a regreso as long as you: – prove you couldn’t get another appointment before your flight – Have an appointment for after your flight even though you obviously can’t make it If this is an option for you (again I’ve done this for regresos in Madrid but idk about Barcelona) bring all your flight info, proof your TIE got stolen, and proof you made the first available appointment for a regreso.”
Conclusion
Traveling without a physical TIE card due to theft or loss is a common concern among expats. While it can be challenging to navigate the logistics, especially with the need for a Regreso document, many have successfully re-entered Spain using alternative documentation like a passport, copies of the TIE, and a police report.
Engaging with consulate services or expedited processing options where available, and carrying comprehensive documentation including proof of residency and identification can mitigate the risks associated with traveling without a physical TIE card.
