Britons and other non-Europeans
Autorización de regreso: travelling while your card is not in hand
If your TIE has expired while its renewal is pending, or was lost or stolen, you need an autorización de regreso to travel: this return authorisation lets you leave Spain and come back in. In this province, the Oficina de Extranjería in Alicante lists it. A parent ill in Kyiv or a funeral in Leeds will not wait for a card.
Request helpWhen you need it, and when you do not
- You asked to renew your authorisation and the decision is still pending
- The card expired in the middle of the renewal
- Your card was lost or stolen, and you have requested a duplicate
- Not needed: your TIE stays valid for the whole trip
What the request needs
- Your passport, and a copy of it
- The expired card, or the denuncia (police report) filed after it was lost or stolen
- The receipt showing the renewal or the duplicate is in progress
- Proof the 790-012 is paid, with the box for regreso ticked
- The dates you plan to travel
Where the province lists it
The Subdelegación del Gobierno en Alicante names return authorisations, regreso, in the list for its Oficina de Extranjería, the office that handles permits for the State, at Calle Ebanistería 4 y 6 in Alicante; information on 965 019 300, from 9:00 to 14:00. policia.es does not show it for the Torrevieja comisaría. Make the booking with Alicante as the province, let the cita previa slip tell you where to go, and settle the Modelo 790 código 012 before the day.
Timing the journey
Ask as soon as a trip looks likely. The authorisation is valid for a limited time, printed on it, and you must be back within it. On the journey, keep it together with your passport and the renewal receipt, and leave copies at home. Back in Torrevieja, the renewal carries on as before, up to the toma de huellas for your new card.
Questions
My card is valid until next month and I fly next week. Do I need this?
Not if the card is still valid on the day you come back. If it would expire while you are away, ask before you go.
Does it give me a new right to stay?
No. It only lets you come back to the residence you already have.
How far ahead should I ask?
The moment travel becomes likely. The appointment is the slow part, so book first and gather the papers while you wait for the date.
The pages these facts come from
- Subdelegación del Gobierno en Alicante: its Oficina de Extranjería on Calle Ebanistería, and what goes to the police instead
- policia.es, Unidades de Extranjería: every police office of the province of Alicante and the foreigners’ procedures it lists
- Booking an appointment with the administration (cita previa), on sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es
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