Time to Swap Your Green Card: Big Changes Ahead for Brits in Spain

Meta Description: British citizens living in Spain with green residency cards must switch to the TIE before the EU Entry/Exit System launches in October 2025. Avoid travel issues—act now to stay compliant.

If you’re a British citizen living in Spain and still holding onto your old green residency certificate, now is the time to take action. With the upcoming launch of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), the trusty green card that many Brits have used for years is about to become obsolete for travel. The EES, which is expected to be operational from October 2025, will change how non-EU citizens, including UK nationals, enter the Schengen zone—and it comes with a big catch for green card holders.

The main issue is simple: the green residency card will no longer be recognised under the new EES rules. Once the system is live, UK citizens who still rely on this card could find themselves in serious trouble at the border. There’s a real risk of being wrongly identified as an overstayer, which could result in being denied entry to Spain or other Schengen countries. That’s a stressful situation no one wants to face, especially when it’s entirely avoidable.

The solution is a TIE, or Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero. This biometric card has been available to British residents in Spain for several years, and it’s the document you need going forward. Unlike the green card, the TIE is compatible with the new digital border checks, which will require biometric data like fingerprints and a facial scan. It’s what proves you’re legally resident in Spain post-Brexit and ensures smooth travel in and out of the country.

If you’re still clutching your green card, the message is loud and clear: don’t wait. The process to exchange it isn’t instant, and you’ll need time to gather documents, book your appointment (known as a cita previa), pay the required fees, and actually receive the card. While you do get a temporary receipt—called a resguardo—during the process, this may not be accepted for travel once the EES is live. The safest option is to get your TIE card well before October 2025.

To stay up to date, it’s a good idea to sign up for UK government alerts on the “Living in Spain” page. These updates cover residency, healthcare, and passports and will help you keep on top of any changes.

So, if you’ve been putting off that green card swap, now’s the time to get moving. Don’t get caught out when the EES comes into effect—make the switch to the TIE and travel with peace of mind.