On March 17, 2020, Royal Decree-Law 8/2020, of March 17, was published with regards to extraordinary emergency measures to combat the economic and social impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19). This extended for one year the validity of national identity documents of persons of legal age whose identity documents expire while Royal Decree 463/2020 of March 14, which declared the State of CoronavirusEmergency, is in force.
Is the validity of expired Residence Cards extended during the Coronavirus?
As the Royal Decree makes no special mention of this circumstance, the Ministry of the Interior has published updated information on it.
From the Ministry:
“Although they are not being issued during the State of Emergency, and nor has their validity been extended, you can continue to use this card that includes your Foreigner Identification Number (NIE) during this period since the expiry dates are suspended during said period. When the State of Emergency ends, you can process the renewal of the card.”
This means that the residence card can be used until the State of Coronavirus Emergency ends, but the card is not being automatically extended. To do that, the permit renewal process will need to be started.
Can I start the process of renewing my permit during the Coronavirus?
The answer to this question is valid for the duration of the State of Coronavirus Emergency.
Yes, since the Administration is working internally on applications. GD Global Mobility recommends the electronic submission of renewals during this period since when it ends, there will be many people who wish to renew their permits, meaning a delay in the process of resolving the applications.
Maybe you might be interested in reading "Quick guide for foreigners about Spain".
