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Does your document count as an official 'residence permit' for travel in Europe? The updated official list

Reviewed against the official source: 12.07.2026

In short: on 10.07.2026 the EU Official Journal published (DOUE-Z-2026-70040, OJ C/2026/3745) the updated list of which Spanish documents officially count as a "residence permit" under article 2, point 16 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (Schengen Borders Code) — i.e. which cards, together with a passport, let you move around the rest of the Schengen area. It replaces the previous list (OJ C/2025/1859, of 25.3.2025).

In person or by representative? Not applicable — it's a regulatory publication, not a personal procedure.

Spanish documents on the list (group 1 — residence permits):

  • Residence permit issued to third-country nationals (standard-format TIE).
  • Cards issued since 19 May 2020 under Regulation (EU) 2017/1954 (new uniform security format of the TIE).
  • Residence permit issued to third-country nationals under Directive 2001/55/EC — temporary protection (people displaced from Ukraine). All of these permits were extended as a block until 4 March 2027 by Order INT/96/2026, with no need for a new physical card (see [[orden-int-96-2026-tie-proteccion-temporal]]).

Recognised equivalent documents (group 2):

  • Foreigner card "régimen comunitario" (EU citizen's family member).
  • Foreigner card "estudiante" (student).
  • Lists of pupils taking part in a school trip within the EU.
  • Accreditation cards issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation.

Gibraltar-specific documents (group 3): red card (red identity card), blue card (civil registry), "magenta/purple" card, and green card (civil registry).

What this list actually means: it is a catalogue — it confirms which Spanish documents count as a "residence permit" for border checks. It is not, by itself, the right to travel: that right comes from art. 6(1)(b) of the Code + art. 21 of the Schengen Convention, together with the other entry conditions (valid passport, not flagged in the SIS, etc.). For the practical travel rules (90/180 days, what to carry) see [[viajar-schengen-con-residencia]].

Official source: DOUE-Z-2026-70040 (OJ C/2026/3745). Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.

Official source: boe.es

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