Spain’s NIE and TIE are often mentioned together, but they are different documents. The NIE is your foreigner identification number, while the TIE is a physical residence card proving your authorised stay in Spain. Understanding the difference will help you choose the correct application route and avoid booking the wrong appointment.
What is the NIE?
The Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) is a personal identification number assigned to a foreign national who has an economic, professional or social connection with Spain. You may need it to buy property, open a bank account, sign an employment contract, register as self-employed, pay taxes or complete other official transactions.
An NIE is not a visa, residence permit or proof of legal residence. A person can have an NIE while living outside Spain, and obtaining one does not by itself give you the right to enter or remain in the country. The number normally stays with you permanently, even if you later change address or immigration status.
Where to apply for an NIE
If you are in Spain, NIE applications are generally handled through the Oficina de Extranjería or a designated National Police station, depending on the province and the reason for the application. Some offices accept applications only by appointment, while others direct applicants to a specific police station. Check the instructions for your province before booking.
You can request an NIE from a Spanish consulate in your country of residence if you are abroad. Consulates usually require a genuine reason for the request and may have their own appointment system, forms and payment procedure. A consulate-issued NIE is still only an identification number; it does not replace a residence visa or residence card.
NIE documents and application steps
The usual application is form EX-15. Prepare the original and a copy of your valid passport, together with evidence explaining why you need the number. This might include a property document, an employment or business-related document, a letter from a Spanish authority, or another supporting explanation. Some offices may request proof of your Spanish address or a padrón certificate, although requirements vary.
- Completed and signed EX-15 form, normally identifying the reason for the request.
- Valid passport and a photocopy of the identity and entry pages.
- Evidence of the economic, professional or social reason for requesting the NIE.
- Proof of appointment, where the office uses the cita previa system.
- Proof of payment of form 790, code 012, the relevant administrative fee.
Payment arrangements vary. The 790-012 form is normally generated online, and payment may be made through a participating bank or another method specified by the authorities. Take the stamped or electronically validated payment proof to your appointment. Check the current fee before paying because government charges can change.
What is the TIE?
The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) is the photo identification card issued to many non-EU nationals who have permission to reside in Spain for more than six months. It normally shows your photograph, personal details, NIE, card number, type of authorisation and validity dates. It is evidence of your immigration status, but you should travel with your valid passport as well.
The TIE is normally requested after a residence visa has been used to enter Spain or after a residence or stay authorisation has been granted. Common examples include a non-lucrative residence visa, digital nomad visa, work permit, family reunification authorisation and student stay authorisation. The application is made in Spain, not at a Spanish consulate.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens usually do not obtain a TIE for their own registration. Instead, they register as residents and obtain the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea, commonly called the EU registration certificate. Non-EU family members of EU citizens generally apply for a TIE as an EU-family-member residence card.
How to apply for the TIE
After entering Spain or receiving the relevant authorisation, apply within the applicable legal period stated by the authorities; in many cases this is one month. Book the procedure called “Toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta)” or a similarly named TIE appointment through the official cita previa de extranjería portal. The portal is linked to the Spanish government’s Sede de Administraciones Públicas, and the available procedure names differ by province.
The immigration office, or Extranjería, decides or records the underlying residence authorisation. The police station designated for your province produces the physical TIE, takes your fingerprints and later hands over the card. Do not assume that the Extranjería office and police station are the same location.
TIE documents and biometrics
- Form EX-17, completed and signed.
- Valid passport and copies, including the visa, entry stamp or relevant authorisation when applicable.
- Recent passport-size colour photographs with a plain background, following Spanish document-photo requirements.
- Favourable residence or stay resolution, visa documentation, or other proof of the approved status.
- Empadronamiento or proof of address if requested by the province.
- Proof of payment of form 790, code 012, for the card issue.
- The appointment confirmation and, for a renewal, your current or expired TIE and supporting renewal documents.
At the appointment, an officer checks your documents and records your fingerprints. You will normally receive a collection slip stating when and where to collect the card. Collection is usually a separate appointment and must be made in person, with your passport and the receipt. Processing times vary considerably by province, so follow the date printed on your resguardo rather than relying on general estimates.
Making the process smoother
Use official government websites and the police or consulate instructions for your location. Save copies of every form, payment receipt and appointment confirmation. If the online cita previa site shows no appointments, check again at different times, verify that you selected the correct province and procedure, and contact the relevant office for local guidance. Do not pay an intermediary simply because an appointment is difficult to find.
Once your NIE or TIE is issued, explore local businesses and services in our directory to help settle into your Spanish city or town.