Any non-EU citizen who has been living in Spain for a while will be familiar with the Autorización de Regreso. For those who are going through their very first TIE renewal or Visa extension, you will learn very quickly about the importance and usefulness of this precious document. Despite being so important, the information about applying for it – as well as the actual rules for using it – is often hard to find. With online rumours, word of mouth speculations and outdated personal anecdotes getting confused with legitimate information. This can make the whole situation very confusing and stressful for a first time applicant. But don’t worry, we are here to help!
Are you extending your stay in Spain? Find more information on how to successfully apply for the NIE/TIE renewal in Madrid to avoid any hiccups along the way!
In this comprehensive guide we will give you all the official information about the Regreso that has been laid out by the Spanish government. This includes how to get the Autorización de Regreso in Spain and the rules for how to properly use it. Check out our content overview to find exactly the information you’re looking for, or read through the whole article for everything you need to know about the Autorización de Regreso in Spain.
Important: The Citylife team has collected the information below via intense research in collaboration with MTS Relocation & Consulting Services and Proyecto Océano, two very known legal & relocation companies in Spain. Please keep in mind that we are not directly related to any legal or government departments. Please remember to use this article as a compliment to your own research on official government sites.
1. What is the Autorización de Regreso & How Does it Work?
Simply put, the Autorización de Regreso (Permission to Return) or “Regreso”, is a white paper that gives the holder permission to leave and ultimately return to Spain without a valid Visa or valid TIE (residence card). It is used primarily by Non-EU citizens who are in the process of either renewing their expired TIE card or extending their Visa and who need to travel back home for a certain period of time.
To see who can qualify for an Autorización the Regreso please see our chapter called How to Get an Autorizacíon de Regreso in Madrid.
The Regreso paper displays your personal details and your first official date of residency in Spain. The paper also states that the holder of this paper will be authorized to return to Spain via any Spanish port of entry, without a Visa or TIE within a 90 day period. It also states that this document is not meant to be used as a way to tour the Schengen Zone*. The Regreso is only meant to be used to travel directly to your home country and back – nothing more.
The Autorización de Regreso is valid for a period of 90 days and can be used at any time within this period, but only once. When the document has been used it will be stamped and considered invalid for future use. So if you end up needing to travel home again and your renewal papers are still processing you will need to apply for another Regreso.
*You will find lots of information online (especially on forums like Facebook) that states that the Regreso will allow you to travel through the EU without your proper papers. Please be advised that this is not the case. The Regreso is a Spanish document and holds no power in other Schengen countries.
In the following chapter we will go over the steps to get an Autorización de Regreso in Madrid. Unlike the majority of other Spanish documents, the Regreso Spain is really simple to apply for. It has many similar steps to the TiE Card application process, only with different forms and taxes. Nevertheless, we will include the steps to making the appointment and what you need to bring with you!
There are two ways to qualify for the Autorización de Regreso. The first is to be in the process of renewing your TIE or Visa and to have proof that you’ve submitted your application. The second is if your initial TIE application has been delayed, leaving you without an expired Visa and no TIE card. You will also need to have your flights booked (round trip), which you will need to show proof of at your appointment. For more information check out our chapter called “What Documents do you Need to Submit at the Regreso Appointment“.
2.1 “Cita Previa” Autorización de Regreso Madrid – How to Make your Regreso Appointment
Now we are going to cover how to make an appointment “cita previa” for the Autorización de Regreso in Madrid. Please remember that each region in Spain often sets up their own rules and regulations for these kind of documents, and you should be aware that we are only covering the process for the community of Madrid.
- To make an appointment online for your Regreso in Madrid, please visit the official government website and select “Madrid“. Once finished, click on “Aceptar“. The page will quickly reload. In the drop down labeled “Trámites cuerpo Nacional de Policía” select “Policia – Autorización de Regreso“. Click “Aceptar“
In April 2021 the government added the option to choose an office already on the first page. However, it is not mandatory and you can leave it blank. If you know which office you’d like to go to, you can select it at this stage. Just keep in mind this might limit your options depending on availability for your specific “appointment type” at that one office.
- The page will refresh and you’ll see several important notes on the page. Including a link to find how to apply for the Regreso in other regions. More importantly the page also provides a list of what you need to bring to the appointment. But don’t worry, we’ve translated that list for you in our chapter called “What Documents do you Need to Submit at your Regreso Appointment“. Click “Entrar” to continue.
- Here you need to fill in your personal details. Please ensure the information is entered exactly how it is shown on your document. Click “Aceptar” to continue.
- The page will reload and give you 4 buttons. Click “solicitar cita”.
- On the next page you will have a drop down to select what offices to have your appointment. The most popular office in Madrid is located at Ave. de los Poblados. However, we recommend just choosing whatever offices are available appointments can be very hard to find. Once chosen, click “siguiente”.
- The next screen you will be asked for your contact info. Please choose a relevant Spanish phone number that you have on hand as they will be sending an important code that you will need to enter to continue. Once done, click “siguiente”.
- If there are appointment slots available, you will be given some options for the next appointment “period”, which is usually a few days out. Select your preferred date and time. The page will automatically reload. In case there are no appointments available, the page will tell you “En este momento no hay citas disponibles. En breve, la oficina pondrá a su disposición nuevas citas”. You will need to try again later. If you need your regreso urgently, you can contact MTS. They will help you to get the cita previa as quick as possible.
- Review your personal data and the details of the appointment to make sure all is correct. A security code will be sent to the phone number you indicated earlier – type the number in the box named “Código“. Also make sure to select both checkboxes before clicking “confirmar”.
- Once your appointment is confirmed, you will see your appointment code at the top of the page. Although you will receive this confirmation via email, we recommend saving and printing this page too.
2.2 Download the EX-13 (Regreso Spain Application Form)
To apply for the Autorización de Regreso in Madrid you need to complete the EX-13 application form. Please feel free to download it below to use for your appointment.
2.3 How to Fill out and Pay the Tax Form 790 (Code 012) for the Regreso Spain
Another step you need to complete before going to your Regreso appointment is to pay the corresponding tax fee of 10,61 Euros (December 2024). Follow the steps below to generate the form and then take the form to any bank to pay the fee. Once done you’ll receive a receipt to bring to your appointment.
- Open the tax “Tasa modelo 790 Código 012” document here
- Complete section “Identificación” of the form with your personal details
- Scroll to section “Autoliquidación” and make sure “principal” is selected
- Scroll to section “Documentos de identidad y títulos y documentos de viaje a extranjeros indocumentados y otros documentos” and select the button labelled “Autorización de Regreso”
- Scroll to section “Declarante“ and write the name of the city you are applying in (in our case: Madrid) and the day’s date
- Continue to section “Ingreso“ and select “efectivo” (cash) as payment method
- Fill in the CAPCHA code and click “descargar impreso rellenado” to generate your tax forms
The page will reload and display the Tasa Modelo 790 Cogido 012 forms in a PDF format. You need to print out all of the pages and bring them to the nearest bank to pay the tax. The bank will stamp all three forms and keep one for their own records. You will need to bring the two remaining pages to your appointment.
2.4 What Documents do you Need to Submit at your Regreso Appointment?
- Proof of appointment (printed page with cita previa confirmation code)
- Completed EX-13 form, printed and signed (original and copy)
- Passport (original and copies of all pages)
- Tasa Modelo 790 código 012 printed, paid and stamped by the bank
- Expired TIE/Visa or a TIE/Visa that will be expired within a 60 day period (original and copy)*
- Proof that you have already submitted your renewal application (stamped renewal form in original and copy)
- Printed travel itinerary to prove that you are travelling within the next 90 days (flight tickets/reservation with dates)
*Usually Regresos are only for those who are renewing their TIE and need to go home in the meantime. However, since late 2020 the Spanish government has opened applications for first time TIE applicants as well. So if you have submitted your TIE application and the Visa in your passport is expired you are now eligible for a Regreso. In this case you need to bring:
- Instead of an expired TIE you bring your Visa which is anyway in your passport
- Instead of proving that you’ve applied for the renewal you bring proof of your initial application (stamped application form in original and copy)
2.5 Attending your Regreso Appointment – What to Expect
If you’ve read our other guides before then you will know that the most important thing is to arrive to your appointment early and well prepared. There will not be many agents at the office who can speak English, so you may not be able to negotiate your way through your application if something
