The Most Common Source of Confusion

If you are moving to Spain, you will hear two acronyms constantly: NIE and TIE. They sound similar, they are related, and nearly everyone confuses them at first. Understanding the difference is critical because mixing them up can send you to the wrong office, fill out the wrong form, or miss an important deadline.

Here is the simple version: the NIE is a number, and the TIE is a card.

What Is the NIE?

The NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) is a unique identification number assigned to every foreigner who has financial, professional, or legal dealings in Spain. Think of it as Spain’s equivalent of a Social Security number — except it is assigned to non-Spanish nationals.

Your NIE follows the format: a letter, seven digits, and another letter (e.g., X-1234567-A). Once assigned, it stays with you for life, even if you leave Spain and come back years later.

When Do You Get a NIE?

There are several paths to receiving a NIE:

• During the visa process. If you apply for a residency visa at a Spanish consulate, a NIE is usually assigned as part of the approval. It will appear on your visa sticker or resolution letter.
• By direct request in Spain. If you are in Spain without a residency visa (as a tourist or EU citizen), you can request a NIE directly at an Oficina de Extranjeria or designated national police station.
• By direct request from abroad. You can also request a NIE through a Spanish consulate in your home country before arriving.

How to Request a NIE (Form EX-15)

If you need to request a NIE independently, here is the process:

1. Book a cita previa (appointment) at the Oficina de Extranjeria or police station in the province where you reside or intend to reside. Use the Sede Electronica website to book online.
2. Complete Form EX-15 (Solicitud de Numero de Identidad de Extranjero). This is available for download on the government immigration portal.
3. Pay the fee using tax form Tasa 790 Codigo 012. Pay this at a bank before your appointment.
4. Attend your appointment with your completed form, passport (original and photocopy), proof of why you need a NIE (rental contract, job offer, property purchase), the paid Tasa 790 receipt, and a passport-sized photo.

Processing is usually immediate — you walk out with a paper certificate showing your NIE number on the same day.

What Is the TIE?

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is a physical identity card issued to non-EU foreigners who have been granted residency in Spain. It is a credit card-sized document that contains your photo, your NIE number, the type of residency permit you hold, and its validity dates.

Think of the TIE as your Spanish ID card. Spanish citizens carry a DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad); as a non-EU resident, you carry a TIE.

When Do You Need a TIE?

You must apply for a TIE if you are a non-EU citizen who has been granted any type of residency authorization that lasts longer than six months. This includes holders of:

• Non-Lucrative Visas (NLV)
• Digital Nomad Visas
• Work visas (por cuenta ajena or por cuenta propia)
• Student visas (extended stays)
• Entrepreneur visas
• Family reunification visas

EU citizens do not receive a TIE. Instead, they register in the Central Registry of Foreigners and receive a green certificate with their NIE.

How to Get Your TIE

You must apply for the TIE within 30 days of entering Spain on your residency visa. Here is the process:

1. Book a cita previa specifically for “Toma de Huellas” (fingerprinting) at your local Oficina de Extranjeria. These appointments can be extremely difficult to get in Madrid and Barcelona — start trying from day one.
2. Pay the fee using tax form Tasa 790 Codigo 012. The amount varies by permit type.
3. Attend the fingerprinting appointment with the following documents:
   • Completed Form EX-17
   • Passport (original and photocopy of all relevant pages)
   • Visa page (original and photocopy)
   • Empadronamiento certificate
   • Paid Tasa 790 receipt
   • Three passport-sized photos (white background)
   • Proof of health insurance (if required by your visa type)
4. Collect your TIE approximately 30 to 45 days after your fingerprinting appointment. You will return to the same office with the receipt they gave you.

NIE vs. TIE Comparison

	NIE	TIE
What it is	A number (identification code)	A physical card (identity document)
Format	Letter + 7 digits + letter (e.g., X-1234567-A)	Credit card-sized ID with photo
Who gets it	Any foreigner with dealings in Spain	Non-EU residents with permits longer than 6 months
Purpose	Identification for taxes, banking, contracts	Proof of legal residency and identity
Duration	Permanent — lasts for life	Tied to your residency permit dates; must be renewed
Application form	EX-15	EX-17
Fee	Tasa 790 Codigo 012	Tasa 790 Codigo 012
Processing time	Usually same-day	30-45 days after fingerprinting

Common Confusion Points

“I already have a NIE, why do I need a TIE?” The NIE is just a number. It does not prove that you are a legal resident. The TIE is the physical document that proves your residency status, and you are legally required to carry it (or a copy) once issued.

“Can I use my NIE certificate as an ID?” Technically, your passport is your official ID until you receive your TIE. The NIE certificate is a supplementary document, not a primary identity document.

“My TIE expired — did I lose my NIE?” No. Your NIE number never expires. When you renew your residency permit, you get a new TIE card with the same NIE number.

“I am an EU citizen — do I need a TIE?” No. EU citizens register differently and receive a Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Union with their NIE number printed on it.

Tips for a Smooth Process

Book your TIE fingerprinting appointment as early as possible. In cities like Madrid and Barcelona, wait times for appointments can stretch weeks. Use appointment-checking services or refresh the Sede Electronica page regularly early in the morning.

Always bring originals and photocopies of every document. Government offices will not make copies for you, and missing a single photocopy can mean rebooking your appointment.

Keep a digital scan of your TIE on your phone once you receive it. If your card is lost or stolen, having a scan speeds up the replacement process considerably.