Applies to: National and EU long-term recovery are separate procedures; not a universal fix for an expired temporary permit.
Before you start
- Previous decisions and cards showing the exact status held.
- Passport, travel history and the reason the status ended.
- Current EX-11 and required supporting records.
- Resources and health-cover evidence if the selected recovery route requires them.
The steps
Identify what was lost
A stolen TIE, an expired card, a missed temporary renewal and extinguished long-term residence are different problems. Start with the original grant and any later decision.
Find the correct recovery sheet
Use Ministry Hoja 53 for national long-term status or Hoja 54 for EU long-term status. Compare your reason for extinction to the listed grounds.
Check where you can file
The process differs if you are abroad or already lawfully in Spain. Do not enter as a tourist assuming your old card automatically restores residence.
Prepare the current application
Complete the applicable form, fee and identity evidence. The EU recovery category requires its own resources and insurance checks.
Follow approval and visa instructions
Where applying from abroad, complete the required consular stage before travelling to resume residence.
Complete the police card step
After the route’s entry or grant requirements are met, obtain the TIE under the stated deadline.
Important details
Temporary permits
An expired temporary permit may require renewal, modification or a fresh route, not long-term recovery. Get the file assessed if a refusal or removal decision is involved.
Travel evidence matters
Build a timeline with actual departure and arrival dates. Do not infer status only from the expiry date printed on a plastic card.
See the bigger picture
Pair these practical steps with the Spain-wide essentials.
Sources & next steps
Reviewed 30 September 2026. This independent guide provides general information. Requirements, fees and office arrangements can change; the responsible authority’s current instructions control your application. Commercial service links explain products, not official rules.