Spain has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians and the validity of TIE cards until 4 March 2027

Spain has officially extended temporary protection for Ukrainians and automatically extended the validity of their TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) cards until 4 March 2027. The relevant order of the Ministry of the Interior — Orden INT/96/2026 of 12 February 2026 — was published in the official state gazette BOE on 17 February 2026 (BOE No 42).

What exactly has changed

TIE cards issued to persons affected by the war in Ukraine who are beneficiaries of temporary protection are now considered valid until 4 March 2027. According to the text of the order, the validity is extended "directly and automatically" (directa y automáticamente), and obtaining a new card is not required.

This means that more than 265,000 Ukrainians in Spain (the figure from the preamble of the order) retain their right to reside, work and use public services without any interruption and without trips to the administration.

Does the cardholder need to do anything

No. The order expressly states that "it will not be necessary to obtain a new foreigner identity card" (No será necesaria la obtención de una nueva tarjeta de identidad de extranjero). You do not need to:

• submit any application;
• book an appointment (cita previa);
• pay a fee (tasa);
• order the printing of a new physical card.

The card remains valid even if it has an earlier expiry date printed on it — for example, 2025 or 2026. Legally, the document is considered valid until 4 March 2027 regardless of the date on the plastic.

The right to travel within Schengen

The preamble of the order confirms that TIE holders may travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399).

Why this is happening

The Spanish decision implements a pan-European rule. First, the EU member states politically agreed on 13 June 2025 to extend temporary protection, and the legally binding act became the Council of the EU Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460, adopted on 15 July 2025 (published in the Official Journal of the EU on 24 July 2025). It is this decision that extended temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine for another year — until 4 March 2027. The decision changes neither the categories of persons covered by the protection nor the scope of their rights.

What newcomers should do

Ukrainians who have just arrived in Spain and have not yet registered for temporary protection should turn to the state reception centres CREADE (Centros de Recepción, Atención y Derivación) — they operate in Madrid/Pozuelo, Barcelona, Alicante and Malaga, where you can submit an application and obtain a residence and work permit. This is a procedure of the Ministry of Inclusion, Migration and Social Security (and not a rule of the order INT/96/2026 itself). Existing beneficiaries, by contrast, do not need to do anything — their status has been extended automatically.

Practical advice

Keep your valid TIE card and, if you wish, print out the text of the order Orden INT/96/2026 from the BOE — this may come in handy if an employer, bank or institution questions the date on the card. Follow official sources (the BOE and the website of Spain's Ministry of the Interior) for further changes.