UK Embassy singles out Brits in Alicante and Málaga for not getting TIEs
The UK Embassy in Spain is insisting Brits exchange their green certificates for TIE cards to avoid travel issues, this time focusing on those in Alicante and Málaga as they make up the bulk of those holding onto their old residency documents.
The British Embassy in Spain is calling on British residents specifically within the Málaga and Alicante provinces to exchange their paper green Certificates for a TIE (‘tarjeta de identidad de extranjero’) urgently.
This targeted push follows the publication of data from the Spanish Ministry for Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations which states that Green Certificate ownership is most prevalent within these two provinces where large number of UK nationals reside.
It is expected that these individuals will face considerable difficulties when the EU’s Entry Exit System comes into force in October this year. Under this new border system, all non-EU passengers crossing into Spain or other EU countries will need to register their name, passport details and biometric data unless they can present a valid uniform-format biometric residency card.
READ ALSO: UK Embassy insists Brits in Spain get TIEs or risk being 'treated as overstayers'
For Britons residing in Spain, only a TIE will be accepted by Spanish and EU authorities. The Green Certificate will not be recognised because it does not meet the requirements to feature in Annex 22 of the Schengen Borders Code.
As a result, green certificate holders attempting to enter Spain or any other country in the Schengen zone may not have their residency rights recognised and may be wrongly accused of overstaying as a tourist in the EU. This could lead to them being denied entry and returned to the UK. Although there will be an appeals process, it may require the Green Certificate holder to return to the UK until it is resolved.
READ MORE: How Brits in Spain can exchange their green residency document for a TIE
With hundreds of thousands of British nationals - residents and tourists - passing through Alicante and Málaga airports each year, it is particularly imperative that anyone with a Green Certificate in those provinces exchanges it to a TIE as soon as possible, as the majority of residents have already done so.
His Majesty’s Ambassador Sir Alex Ellis said: “We have already seen an increase in Brits getting a TIE since our campaign began, which is fantastic news, and we’re grateful to the community groups, charities and British people who’ve helped spread the word.
READ MORE: How many Brits live legally in Spain and how many are 'under the radar'?
However, there remains a minority of British people still in possession of a Green Certificate so we want to reach them, explain why the TIE is so important and ensure they have one by October, in order to enjoy smooth travel into Spain and the Schengen area.”
READ ALSO: Spain's green residency certificate will not be recognised by the EU's EES system
The British Embassy in Spain has been running a campaign to encourage take up of the TIE since May last year and, most recently, has stepped up activity in the Alicante and Málaga provinces.
This has included outreach events and engagements with charities and British groups such as, Age Concern, the Royal British Legion, MABS Cancer Support, Samaritans, Help at Home, various HELP groups and others.
The Embassy has also worked with local townhalls and media outlets to spread messages on EES and the TIE and is working with the Spanish Government to increase appointment availability in key areas.
This article has been supplied by the UK Embassy in Madrid, with some minor edits by The Local Spain.
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