Modelos

EX-13 Form Spain: Autorización de Regreso and Travel While Your TIE Is Pending

EX-13 is Spain’s official form for requesting an Autorización de Regreso — an Authorization to Return to Spain. It is used in specific situations when a foreign resident or qualifying holder of a Spanish stay authorization needs to travel outside Spain but cannot rely on their normal immigration documentation for re-entry.

The most common situation is:

Residence or stay authorization expires → renewal or extension filed → travel becomes necessary → EX-13 → Autorización de Regreso → leave Spain → return through an authorized Spanish border crossing

EX-13 can also be relevant when a valid TIE has been lost, stolen, destroyed or rendered unusable and a duplicate has already been requested.

In more limited circumstances, it may also be available after a first residence or stay authorization has already been approved while the initial TIE is being produced, when the applicant demonstrates that the journey is necessary and exceptional circumstances exist.

EX-13 is not a residence permit, visa, NIE or TIE.

If you are trying to identify the correct Spanish immigration form, see our complete Spain Immigration Forms: EX-00 to EX-32 guide.

What Is an Autorización de Regreso?

An Autorización de Regreso is a temporary Spanish authorization allowing an eligible foreign national to leave Spain and return during a period when their usual residence or stay documentation cannot be used normally.

It is particularly useful when there is a gap between:

your continuing or approved immigration status

and:

the physical documentation normally used for international travel.

For example, your Spanish residence renewal may already have been filed, but your old TIE has expired and the new card has not yet been issued.

EX-13 provides the application mechanism for requesting permission to return to Spain during that temporary documentation gap.

EX-13 at a Glance

Question	Answer
Form	EX-13
Spanish name	Solicitud de autorización de regreso
Main purpose	Temporary authorization to return to Spain
Residence renewal pending	Potentially eligible
Stay extension pending	Potentially eligible
Valid TIE lost or stolen	Potentially eligible after duplicate request
Valid TIE destroyed or unusable	Potentially eligible after duplicate request
Initial residence already approved	Possible in exceptional cases
Initial study/stay authorization already approved	Possible in exceptional cases
Maximum validity	Up to 90 days under the applicable timing rule
Multiple exits and entries	Permitted during validity
Where you must re-enter	Authorized Spanish border crossing
Application	Normally personal or through legal representative
Collection	Normally personal
Fee	Modelo 790 Código 012
Current framework	RD 1155/2024

Who Can Request EX-13?

The current official form identifies several situations.

Residence Authorization Being Renewed or Extended

This is one of the most common EX-13 cases.

A foreign national whose Spanish residence authorization is in a legally filed renewal or extension process may be able to obtain an Autorización de Regreso.

Examples can include holders of qualifying:

employee residence;
self-employed residence;
Non-Lucrative residence;
family reunification residence;
exceptional-circumstances residence;
other renewable residence authorizations.

The important point is that the relevant renewal or extension procedure must already have been initiated within the legally permitted period.

Simply planning to renew later is not the same thing.

Stay Authorization Being Extended

EX-13 can also apply where a qualifying Spanish estancia authorization is undergoing extension.

This can be relevant to some students and other foreign nationals whose status is legally classified as estancia rather than ordinary residencia.

If your case involves studies, see our EX-00 Form Spain guide for the underlying long-duration stay procedure.

Valid TIE Lost or Stolen

EX-13 can also be requested when your residence or stay status remains valid but your valid physical TIE has been lost or stolen.

The sequence is important:

TIE lost or stolen → report the incident → request duplicate TIE → obtain proof of duplicate request → apply for EX-13 if travel is necessary

The current rules require the duplicate-card procedure to have been initiated.

A missing card by itself does not automatically produce a right to an Autorización de Regreso.

Valid TIE Destroyed or Unusable

The same principle can apply where a valid TIE has been:

destroyed;
seriously damaged;
rendered unreadable;
otherwise made unusable.

Again, the duplicate TIE must normally have been requested before EX-13 is issued on this basis.

Initial Residence Authorization Already Approved

A less common but important EX-13 situation exists when:

your initial Spanish residence authorization has already received a favorable decision;
your first TIE is still being issued;
the journey is necessary; and
exceptional circumstances justify the request.

This is not the same as having a first residence application merely pending.

A favorable initial decision is required.

The applicant must also demonstrate why travel is necessary and why exceptional circumstances exist.

Initial Stay Authorization Already Approved

A similar exceptional possibility exists for a qualifying holder of an approved initial estancia authorization while the corresponding TIE is being issued.

Again, this is not automatic.

The applicant must have a favorable initial authorization and demonstrate the exceptional travel circumstances required by the procedure.

When EX-13 Is Normally Not Needed

An Autorización de Regreso is not a general travel document for every foreign resident.

If you have:

a valid passport; and
a valid Spanish residence or qualifying study/stay authorization together with the valid documentation normally required for travel,

you generally use your ordinary immigration documentation.

EX-13 becomes relevant when the normal documentation is temporarily unavailable or cannot perform its ordinary re-entry function because of one of the legally recognized situations.

EX-13 Is Not a Visa

An Autorización de Regreso is not a Spanish visa.

It is also not:

a new residence authorization;
a residence renewal;
a TIE;
an NIE;
a passport;
a general Schengen travel document.

It solves a specific temporary problem:

How can an eligible person leave Spain and return while their normal Spanish immigration documentation is temporarily unavailable or being renewed?

EX-13 Does Not Extend Your Residence

This distinction is extremely important.

EX-13 does not renew or extend your underlying immigration status.

For example:

Residence renewal application → determines whether your residence continues

EX-13 → determines whether you can return to Spain during the qualifying travel period

These are separate administrative procedures.

You cannot use repeated EX-13 applications as a substitute for maintaining valid Spanish residence.

How Long Is an Autorización de Regreso Valid?

The maximum validity is generally 90 days, but the date from which those 90 days are calculated depends on when you apply and which situation applies.

If You Apply Before Your Residence or Stay Authorization Expires

Where EX-13 is requested before the underlying residence or stay authorization expires, the Autorización de Regreso can be valid for up to:

90 days from the expiration date of the residence or stay authorization.

Example:

Your residence authorization expires on 30 September.

You request EX-13 before that date.

The return authorization can potentially run for up to 90 days beginning from the expiry of the underlying authorization.

Always use the exact validity dates printed on the issued document.

If You Apply After Your Residence or Stay Authorization Has Expired

If the underlying authorization has already expired when EX-13 is requested, the Autorización de Regreso can generally be valid for up to:

90 days from the date the return authorization is granted.

This is different from an application filed before expiry.

Do not assume that every EX-13 automatically lasts “three months from the day I apply.”

Initial Approval and Exceptional Travel

Where EX-13 is granted because an initial residence or stay authorization has already been approved and the first TIE is still being issued, the authorization can generally have a validity of up to 90 days from the date it is granted.

This exceptional route requires the additional travel-necessity conditions discussed above.

Check the Actual Dates on the Document

Never calculate the return date only from memory.

Before leaving Spain, check the exact:

beginning date;
expiration date;

printed on the Autorización de Regreso.

Your return to Spain needs to take place while the document remains valid.

Is an Autorización de Regreso Multiple Entry?

Yes.

Under the current rules, during the valid period of the Autorización de Regreso there is no limitation to a single exit and return using the document.

This means the authorization is not legally restricted to one journey during its validity.

However, every trip must still comply with:

the document’s validity dates;
your underlying immigration situation;
passport requirements;
the Spanish-border-entry rule.

The existence of multiple-entry capability does not make EX-13 a general Schengen residence card.

Very Important: Re-Enter Through Spain

This is one of the most important practical rules on the entire EX-13 procedure.

An Autorización de Regreso is valid for entry through authorized Spanish border crossings.

You should therefore plan the return journey so that your external Schengen border entry takes place in Spain.

Better Return Itinerary

Examples:

Toronto → Madrid

New York → Barcelona

London → Alicante

Spain is the external border where you present the Autorización de Regreso.

Problematic Return Itinerary

Examples:

Toronto → Paris → Madrid

New York → Amsterdam → Barcelona

London → Frankfurt → Málaga

In these examples, your first external Schengen border is in another country.

You should not assume that another Schengen state must treat a Spanish Autorización de Regreso as if it were a normal Spanish residence card or Schengen visa.

When relying on EX-13, plan to enter the Schengen area through Spain.

Can You Transit Through Another Country Outside Schengen?

Potentially, yes, provided your itinerary ultimately places your external Schengen entry at an authorized Spanish border crossing and you satisfy any transit requirements imposed by the transit country.

For example:

Toronto → London → Madrid

can be structurally different from:

Toronto → Paris → Madrid

because London is outside the Schengen Area, whereas Paris is an external Schengen entry point.

Always check transit-document requirements separately.

EX-13 only solves the Spanish return-authorization issue.

Can You Travel Around the Schengen Area With EX-13?

Do not treat EX-13 as a replacement for a valid residence card for general Schengen travel.

Its specific purpose is authorization to return to Spain.

If your planned journey involves several Schengen countries while your TIE is expired or unavailable, you should assess the documentation requirements separately rather than assuming EX-13 provides unrestricted Schengen mobility.

Can You Travel With an Expired TIE and Renewal Receipt?

Do not assume that an expired TIE plus a renewal receipt is equivalent to an Autorización de Regreso.

These documents serve different purposes.

Renewal Receipt

Shows that an immigration renewal or extension has been filed.

EX-13 / Autorización de Regreso

Provides the specific temporary authorization to return to Spain where the legal requirements are satisfied.

When international travel overlaps with an expired TIE or pending residence renewal, determine whether EX-13 is required before leaving Spain.

EX-13 vs TIE

EX-13 and the TIE are completely different documents.

Document	Purpose
EX-13	Application for temporary return authorization
Autorización de Regreso	Issued temporary return document
EX-17	Application associated with the physical TIE
TIE	Physical foreigner identity card

A common sequence might be:

Residence renewal → TIE expired → EX-13 → international travel → return to Spain → new TIE issued

For the physical residence-card process, read our TIE Card Spain guide.

You can also see our detailed EX-17 TIE Form guide.

EX-13 vs NIE

An NIE is a foreigner identification number.

It does not provide immigration travel authorization.

Document	Main purpose
NIE	Foreign national identification number
EX-13	Application for return authorization
TIE	Physical residence/stay identity card

Having an NIE does not by itself allow you to re-enter Spain as a resident.

For more detail, read our NIE Number in Spain guide.

What Information Does EX-13 Ask For?

The current EX-13 form is relatively short compared with many other immigration Modelos.

It contains four main sections.

Foreign Applicant Details

The form requests personal information including:

passport;
NIE;
surnames;
first name;
sex;
date of birth;
place and country of birth;
nationality;
marital status;
parents’ names;
address in Spain;
telephone;
email;
legal representative where applicable.

Complete these details consistently with your passport and Spanish immigration records.

Representative Details

Where another person is legally presenting the application, EX-13 contains a separate representative section.

The form asks for matters such as:

representative name;
DNI, NIE or passport;
Spanish address;
telephone;
email;
legal basis for representation where applicable.

Notification Address

EX-13 also includes a section for administrative notifications.

The current form provides an option for electronic notifications through DEHú where the corresponding electronic identification requirements are satisfied.

Our Digital Certificate in Spain guide explains one of the main electronic identification tools used for Spanish public administration.

Situation Covered by the Request

This is the most important section.

The current EX-13 lets the applicant identify situations including:

residence authorization in renewal or extension;
stay authorization in extension;
valid TIE with duplicate requested because of theft, loss, destruction or unusability;
approved initial residence authorization while the TIE is being issued and exceptional reasons exist;
approved initial stay authorization while the TIE is being issued and exceptional reasons exist;
another qualifying situation where appropriate.

The selected situation should match the documents submitted with the application.

Reason for Travel and Expected Time Outside Spain

The form also contains a section asking for:

the reason justifying the application; and
the expected period outside Spain.

Do not leave this section vague where the circumstances of the request make the reason for travel important.

This is particularly significant in the exceptional initial-authorization cases, where necessity and exceptional circumstances must be demonstrated.

Documents Required for EX-13

The required documents depend on which EX-13 situation applies.

There is no single identical package for every applicant.

However, the current procedure generally starts with:

completed and signed EX-13;
valid complete passport, Cédula de Inscripción or qualifying travel document;
documentation demonstrating the relevant immigration situation;
proof of the applicable fee.

Additional documents then depend on the specific category.

Documents for a Residence Renewal or Extension

If your residence authorization is being renewed or extended, you should normally prepare evidence including:

EX-13;
valid passport or qualifying travel document;
evidence of the current or previous residence authorization where required;
proof that the renewal or extension application was filed within the legally permitted period;
Modelo 790 Código 012 fee payment documentation.

The administration may be able to verify some information directly where you authorize or permit the relevant consultation.

Documents for a Stay Extension

For a qualifying estancia extension, the documentation follows a similar logic:

EX-13;
valid passport or travel document;
documentation relating to the underlying stay authorization;
proof that the extension was properly requested;
fee payment documentation.

Students should distinguish carefully between their underlying study authorization and the return authorization.

Documents After a Lost or Stolen TIE

Where a valid TIE has been lost or stolen, prepare evidence showing the entire sequence.

This normally includes:

valid passport or travel document;
evidence that the loss or theft was reported to the police or appropriate security authority;
proof that a duplicate TIE was requested;
EX-13;
fee documentation.

The duplicate request is important.

EX-13 is not intended to replace the obligation to replace a missing TIE.

Documents After a Destroyed or Unusable TIE

Where the valid TIE has been destroyed or rendered unusable, prepare:

passport or qualifying travel document;
evidence of the card problem where applicable;
proof that the duplicate TIE has been requested;
EX-13;
applicable fee documentation.

Documents After Initial Residence or Stay Approval

This category requires more.

The applicant generally needs to demonstrate:

valid passport or qualifying travel document;
favorable decision granting the initial residence or stay authorization;
that the first TIE is being issued;
why the trip is necessary;
the exceptional circumstances supporting the request;
EX-13;
applicable fee payment.

Do not assume that a planned holiday is automatically sufficient.

The current rule specifically requires necessity and exceptional circumstances for this initial-approval scenario.

EX-13 Government Fee

The Autorización de Regreso uses:

Modelo 790 Código 012

under the applicable return-authorization category.

The required fee should be paid before the Autorización de Regreso is issued.

Because official fee amounts can change, use the current amount applicable when completing the procedure rather than copying an old euro amount from an outdated article.

Where Is EX-13 Submitted?

The application is generally presented to the competent:

Oficina de Extranjería; or
Policía Nacional office;

in the province corresponding to the applicant’s Spanish residence.

The foreign national normally presents the application personally, although a legal representative can act for presentation where the applicable rules allow it.

The exact administrative location and appointment procedure can vary by province.

Do You Need an Appointment?

In practice, many provinces manage EX-13 through an appointment procedure.

When booking, make sure you select:

Autorización de Regreso

rather than a different foreigner-documentation procedure.

Do not confuse it with:

TIE fingerprints;
TIE collection;
NIE;
EU registration;
general immigration information.

Because appointment arrangements can change locally, check the procedure applicable in your province before travelling to the office.

Can a Lawyer or Representative Submit EX-13?

Presentation through a legal representative can be possible under the applicable rules.

However, collection of the issued Autorización de Regreso is subject to stricter personal-delivery rules.

Normally, the final authorization is delivered to the foreign national who will use it.

Exceptions exist for certain situations involving:

minors;
persons with disabilities;
properly demonstrated inability to appear personally.

Where personal collection is impossible for an accepted reason, formal representation requirements can apply.

Is EX-13 Issued Immediately?

Do not assume that every office will issue it on the spot.

Administrative handling can depend on:

the province;
appointment system;
documentation;
immigration status;
urgency;
complexity of the case.

Where travel responds to a genuine situation of necessity, the current rules provide for preferential processing.

That does not mean every holiday or convenient travel plan automatically receives urgent treatment.

Urgent Travel and Exceptional Need

Applicants with genuinely urgent travel should provide evidence.

Depending on the circumstances, this could involve matters such as:

serious family circumstances;
medical necessity;
essential professional obligations;
another documented urgent reason.

The strength and relevance of the evidence matter.

For initial-authorisation holders waiting for their first TIE, necessity and exceptional circumstances are not merely helpful—they are part of the legal basis for that specific EX-13 situation.

What Happens When You Leave Spain?

Carry the original Autorización de Regreso together with the other travel documents required for your situation.

These can include:

valid passport;
Autorización de Regreso;
expired or existing TIE where applicable;
renewal evidence;
duplicate TIE evidence where applicable;
other immigration documentation relevant to your case.

Do not pack the return authorization in checked baggage.

You may need it during travel-document checks.

What Happens When You Return to Spain?

Your return should occur:

while EX-13 remains valid;
through an authorized Spanish border crossing;
with a valid passport or qualifying travel document;
with the Autorización de Regreso available for inspection.

The border authorities can verify your documentation and immigration situation.

EX-13 does not prevent ordinary border checks.

Should You Give the Original EX-13 to an Airline?

Carry the original document and present it when required for travel-document inspection.

Airlines may need to confirm that you have documentation permitting entry into Spain before boarding.

Keep copies of important immigration documents separately, but do not rely on a photocopy as though it were necessarily equivalent to the issued original authorization.

What If EX-13 Expires While You Are Abroad?

This is a serious travel-document problem.

Do not plan a return date after the authorization expires.

The purpose of EX-13 is to provide a valid return route during the temporary documentation gap.

If the document expires while you are outside Spain, you should not assume that an expired EX-13 plus proof of residence renewal will automatically allow boarding or entry.

Plan your travel dates conservatively.

Can You Request EX-13 After Leaving Spain?

Do not plan around doing this.

The standard EX-13 procedure is a Spanish administrative process designed to be completed before departure.

Leaving Spain first and attempting to solve the expired-TIE problem from abroad can create substantially more complicated travel and consular issues.

Check your documentation before leaving Spain.

Does EX-13 Guarantee Entry Into Spain?

An Autorización de Regreso is the official document authorizing return in the situations for which it is issued, but normal border requirements and checks still apply.

You should still travel with:

valid passport or qualifying travel document;
valid EX-13 authorization;
documentation relevant to your immigration status.

The document also needs to be used in accordance with its Spanish-border limitation.

Can You Use EX-13 With a New Passport?

If your passport changed after the EX-13 application or issuance, carry documentation connecting your identity and immigration records.

Where possible, resolve passport inconsistencies before travel.

The personal data on EX-13, your passport, NIE and Spanish immigration records should be consistent.

For passport-related administrative issues, see our Passport Renewal Services in Spain.

EX-13 Travel Checklist

Before leaving Spain, confirm that:

your passport is valid;
the Autorización de Regreso has actually been issued;
the authorization is valid on your planned return date;
you understand when its 90-day maximum period starts;
your residence renewal or stay extension was properly filed where applicable;
a duplicate TIE has been requested where that is your basis;
initial residence or stay has already been approved where relying on the exceptional first-TIE category;
exceptional travel evidence is available where required;
the Modelo 790 Código 012 fee has been paid;
you carry the original return authorization;
you carry supporting immigration documentation;
your return itinerary enters the Schengen Area through Spain when relying on EX-13;
you are not relying only on an expired TIE and renewal receipt;
you return before EX-13 expires.

Common EX-13 Mistakes

Assuming a Renewal Receipt Is Enough

A renewal receipt and Autorización de Regreso serve different purposes.

Leaving Spain Before Obtaining EX-13

Deal with the travel-document problem before departure.

Returning Through Another Schengen Country

The authorization is valid for entry through authorized Spanish border crossings.

Assuming EX-13 Is a Schengen Visa

It is not.

Assuming EX-13 Extends Residence

It does not renew or extend your underlying immigration authorization.

Using EX-13 Instead of Replacing a Lost TIE

Where the card is lost, stolen, destroyed or unusable, the duplicate procedure must be addressed.

Assuming Initial Approval Automatically Qualifies

The first-TIE scenario requires a favorable initial authorization plus necessary travel and exceptional circumstances.

Miscalculating the 90 Days

The starting point depends on whether the underlying authorization had already expired when EX-13 was requested.

Assuming It Is Single Entry

Current rules do not limit the authorization to one exit and return during its valid period.

Missing the Validity Date

Always read the actual issued document.

Booking the Wrong Appointment

EX-13 is different from EX-17, NIE, fingerprints and TIE collection.

Frequently Asked Questions About EX-13

What is EX-13 in Spain?

EX-13 is the official Spanish immigration form used to request an Autorización de Regreso, or Authorization to Return.

Who normally needs an Autorización de Regreso?

It can be relevant to qualifying foreign nationals whose residence authorization is being renewed or extended, whose stay authorization is being extended, whose valid TIE has been lost, stolen, destroyed or rendered unusable after a duplicate request, or whose initial residence/stay authorization has already been approved and exceptional travel circumstances exist while the first TIE is being issued.

Can I travel while my residence renewal is pending?

Potentially yes, but if your normal residence documentation cannot be used for re-entry, you should determine whether an Autorización de Regreso is required before leaving Spain.

Can I travel with an expired TIE and renewal receipt?

Do not automatically treat those documents as equivalent to EX-13. The return authorization is a separate procedure.

Do I need EX-13 if my TIE is still valid?

Normally you use your valid passport and valid residence documentation.

EX-13 becomes relevant to a valid TIE where it has been lost, stolen, destroyed or made unusable and the duplicate procedure has been initiated.

How long is EX-13 valid?

The maximum validity is generally 90 days, but the starting date depends on the circumstances.

What happens if I apply before my residence expires?

The Autorización de Regreso can generally run for up to 90 days from the expiry of the underlying residence or stay authorization.

What happens if I apply after my residence expires?

It can generally run for up to 90 days from the date the Autorización de Regreso is granted.

Is EX-13 multiple entry?

Yes. Current rules do not limit the document to a single exit and return during its valid period.

Can I return through France?

You should not plan to rely on a Spanish Autorización de Regreso for external Schengen entry through France. The authorization is valid for entry through authorized Spanish border crossings.

Can I fly through Amsterdam before Madrid?

If Amsterdam is where you cross the external Schengen border, that conflicts with the Spanish-entry limitation. Plan the external Schengen entry through Spain.

Can I fly through London before Madrid?

Potentially, because London is outside Schengen and Spain can still be your external Schengen entry point. Separate UK transit requirements may apply.

Can I get EX-13 after my first residence application is approved?

Potentially yes, when the initial authorization has already been granted, the first TIE is being issued, travel is necessary and exceptional circumstances exist.

Can I get EX-13 while my first residence application is still pending?

A merely pending initial application is different from the specific exceptional category for an approved initial authorization. Do not assume a pending first application qualifies.

What if my TIE was stolen?

Report the theft, request the duplicate TIE and keep proof of those steps. EX-13 can then become relevant if you need to travel.

What fee is used?

EX-13 uses Modelo 790 Código 012 under the applicable return-authorization category.

Where do I apply?

Normally through the competent Oficina de Extranjería or Policía Nacional office in the province where you reside.

Can a representative apply?

Presentation through a legal representative can be possible, but collection of the issued authorization is generally personal, subject to limited exceptions.

Do I need a TIE after using EX-13?

EX-13 does not replace the normal TIE procedure. Continue your renewal, duplicate or initial-card process as applicable.

Does EX-13 renew my Spanish residence?

No. It only addresses the temporary authorization to return to Spain.

Need Help With EX-13 and Spanish Residence Documents?

EX-13 is best understood as part of a larger documentation sequence:

Residence or stay status → Renewal / extension / duplicate / first TIE → Need to travel → EX-13 → Autorización de Regreso → Return through Spain → Complete TIE process

For the physical residence card, see our TIE Card Spain guide and EX-17 Form guide.

You can compare all Spanish immigration forms in our Spain Immigration Forms guide.

If you need help identifying the correct immigration procedure or organizing Spanish residence documentation, see our Immigration Services in Spain or contact Newcomer.es.