TIE Renewal: (Prórroga de Estancia por Estudios) — Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re heading into your second year in Spain, congratulations! Seriously. Making it this far is a big deal, and you should give yourself a moment for that.

At this stage, you’ll almost certainly need to renew your TIE card, and yes, the process can feel confusing if you don’t know what to expect. This guide walks you through everything step by step, so you know exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to avoid unnecessary stress, delays, or last-minute panic. I will talk about renewing your TIE online through Mercurio, paying your Tasa 052, and uploading any missing documents later. (As of 2025)

‼️ Pre-Prórroga ‼️

Documents you’ll need:

      • Tasa 790-052
      • Old Carta de Nombramieto
      • New Carta de Nombramiento
      • Certificado de Aprovechamiento
      • TIE (front and back)
      • Full passport (all pages)

Be mentally prepared to fill out the Ex00 Prórroga form more than once. Sometimes the website times out, or your certificate doesn’t load properly. If that happens, simply start a new application.

Step 1: Get Your Digital Certificate

    • Install it on both your mobile device and your computer.

Step 2: Download Firefox (Desktop Only)

    • Yes, Firefox! Trust me, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and frustration.

Step 3: Download AutoFirma (Desktop Only)

    • After installing, open the app and click: Herramientas → Restaurar Instalación
       (This ensures everything’s properly configured.)

Step 4: Use a Windows Computer

    • The digital certificate and the process to obtain one work best with Microsoft Edge. While you can try using Google Chrome or another browser, it’s known to cause issues during installation and when signing documents. If you’re using a Mac, be prepared for a few extra hurdles. The digital certificate and Autofirma (the app required for electronic signatures) don’t always play nicely with macOS. Compatibility errors, missing permissions, or outdated Java settings are common obstacles.

1. Submitting Your Renewal Application Online (Mercurio)

a. Access Mercurio

    1. Go to the Mercurio platform. 
    2. Click: Continuar > Continuar Individual > Continuar presentación > Presentar nueva solicitud
    3. Select your province (Valencia if that’s where your TIE was issued, or your original province).
    4. Continue and log in using Autofirma (digital certificate).
    5. Choose: EX00 – Solicitud de autorización de estancia de larga duración.

Yes, even though it says “larga duración,” this is currently the only way to access the EX-00 renewal form inside Mercurio.

b. Fill Out the Online EX-00 Form

(The online version of the EX-00 is built into Mercurio and has 5 data tabs.)

Tab 1

    • Question: “¿El solicitante extranjero es titular de una autorización de residencia en España?”
      → Most auxiliares select “No” (technically, you have estancia, not residencia), though some have chosen “Sí.” Either is accepted, but “No” is more accurate.

    • Type of request:
       → Select PRÓRROGA > Autorización de estancias PRORROGADA para la realización de actividades formativas (Art. 52.1.e) > Auxiliares de Conversación

Tab 2

    • Enter your personal information (as on your passport and TIE).

Tabs 3 + 4

    • Enter your school information (use the address and contact info from your Carta de Nombramiento).

Tab 5

    1. Fill in the address where you want notifications sent. (Even though it’s all digital.)

              2. Tick this box (X): “CONSIENTO que las comunicaciones y notificaciones se realicen mediante puesta a disposición en la Dirección Electrónica Habilitada Única (Dehú)…” → This means you agree to receive official notifications online.

  1.  3. Attach your supporting documents (see below).

c. Upload Your Documents

When attaching files:

    • Click Examinar to select a document.

    • For each upload, choose A instancia del interesado (from the applicant).

Document What it’s used for Upload label in Mercurio
Old Carta de Nombramiento Proof of financial means Acreditación de los medios económicos
New Carta de Nombramiento Proof of health insurance Documentación acreditativa de disponer de seguro médico
Certificado de Aprovechamiento Proof of continuation in the program Acreditación de haber superado los estudios
Passport (complete scan) Identification Copia completa del pasaporte
TIE (front and back) Proof of current stay Otros documentos que desee aportar
Tasa payment receipt Proof of fee payment Copia resguardo abono de tasa

    • You can submit without attaching all files immediately, but you must hit “Submit,” or your information won’t save. You can always add documents later (see Step 3).

d. After Submitting

    • Within ~24 hours, you’ll receive an email confirming submission.

    • That email includes your número de expediente (file number) — this is different from your Mercurio ID number.

    • You need that expediente number to pay your Tasa 052 and to attach more documents later.

2. Paying the Tasa 052 Online

a. Go to the Tasa 052 portal

    • Choose: Acceder a Pagar y enviar la liquidación de la tasa 052 a través de Internet > [Your Province]

b. Fill Out the Online Tasa Form

    1. Enter your email address.
    2. Under “Tipo de tasa,” select:
      Prórroga de la autorización de estancia de larga duración por estudios, movilidad de alumnos, prácticas no laborales o servicios de voluntariado (titular principal y sus familiares) — €17,49.
    3. Enter your número de expediente (from the confirmation email).

        • The system will reject the number if it’s formatted incorrectly (for example, if you use your Mercurio ID by mistake). If your card isn’t accepted, you can pay the tasa at an ATM or bank and upload the receipt later.
        • Pay with your Spanish bank or card.
        • Not all banks are accepted — for example, N26 usually isn’t.

3. Uploading Additional Documents (After Submission)

If you didn’t upload everything the first time, or you need to add your Tasa receipt:

a. Go back to Mercurio

    1. Click: Continuar > Continuar Individual > Continuar presentación > Aportar documentos a expedientes > Continuar
    2. Enter your NIE or your número de expediente.
    3. Select your application and click Adjuntar documentos.
    4. Upload any remaining files (follow the same document labeling from Step 1-c).

Extra Tips

    • Always double-check the province! Make sure it’s the province where your original TIE was processed.

    • Save PDFs of everything: submission receipt, tasa payment, and confirmation email.

    • If you need to travel while waiting for your renewal, you may need to request an autorización de regreso first.

Personal Experience

Speaking from personal experience, I highly recommend downloading your digital certificate on your school’s computer, unless you already have a Windows laptop or a very trusted friend who does. Here’s why: I was able to install my digital certificate at school, then transfer it over to my Mac. That part worked fine. But when it came time to actually submit my prórroga (renewal application)… disaster. After about 20+ failed attempts, I finally gave up and asked for help in the big auxiliar group chat. I showed them the error message that kept popping up, and everyone confirmed that AutoFirma doesn’t play well with Mac computers.

Long story short? I went back to my school, logged into a Windows computer on which I downloaded my digital certificate, and submitted my entire application in one try. Smooth. Simple. Done. So please, save yourself the frustration, the hours of troubleshooting, the Firefox settings, the endless “checking certificate” pop-ups, and just use a Windows computer from the start. Whether it’s at your school, a library, or a friend’s house, it’ll make your life so much easier.

Read this blog if you want an idea of my process and updates along the way. → Navigating The Prórroga in Spain: What You Need to Know

Love always + good luck,

American Girl Meets World

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