NIE and TIE in Spain: your foreigner number and identity card

Before you start

• A valid passport (or, for EU citizens, a national ID card)
• For the TIE, a visa or residence authorisation, and usually your padrón registration

Documents you need

• Valid passport

  required

• Proof of payment of the fee (Modelo 790

  required

• National visa or residence authorisation decision

  For the TIE.

  optional

• Padrón registration document

  Usually required for the TIE; not for Law 14/2013 permits.

  optional

• Recent colour photo with a white background

  For the TIE.

  optional

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Work out which document you need

   • EU, EEA or Swiss citizen staying more than three months: apply for the EU registration certificate (see EU registration certificate in Spain). You receive your NIE on it.
   • Non-EU citizen with a visa or authorisation of more than six months: apply for the TIE after arrival. Your NIE is usually already on your visa or authorisation decision.
   • Anyone who needs a number but is not (yet) residing, for example to buy a home, inherit or start a business from abroad: apply for a stand-alone NIE.
2. 2

   Step 2: Stand-alone NIE: apply in Spain or at a consulate

   Complete form EX-15 (Solicitud de NIE y certificados) and state the economic, professional or social reason you need the number, with a document that proves it (for example a reservation contract for a property).

   • In Spain, if you are here lawfully, book an appointment through the government's cita previa system for NIE assignment at a police station or foreigners' office in your province.
   • Abroad, apply at the Spanish consulate for your place of residence, usually by appointment. Consulates set their own document lists; the London consulate, for example, says it normally issues the NIE within three weeks and sends it by email.

   The Policía Nacional says a decision must be issued within five days of the application reaching the competent office. The fee is €9.84 (2026).

3. 3

   Step 3: TIE: book a police appointment as soon as you arrive

   The TIE is applied for in person at a National Police station in the province where you live, because fingerprints are taken. Book through the cita previa system: choose your province and the procedure for fingerprinting and card issue (toma de huellas, expedición de tarjeta). Permits handled by the Large Companies Unit under Law 14/2013 (highly qualified professionals, researchers, intra-company transfers, international teleworkers and their families) have a separate procedure in the list.

   Demand for appointments is high, especially in Barcelona province, so start looking on your first day. If there is nothing at your nearest station, check other stations in the same province.

4. 4

   Step 4: Prepare the TIE documents and pay the fee

   Bring originals and copies of:

   • the application form EX-17 (or MI-TIE for Law 14/2013 permits), completed and signed;
   • your passport with the entry stamp;
   • a recent colour photo with a white background;
   • the decision granting your authorisation (if it is not inside your visa);
   • proof of your padrón registration (not required for Law 14/2013 permits);
   • proof of payment of the fee on Modelo 790, código 012: €16.08 for a first temporary residence card, €19.30 for a renewal, €21.87 for long-term residence (2026 amounts).

   Foreign public documents generally need an apostille or legalisation and a sworn translation into Spanish.

5. 5

   Step 5: Give your fingerprints and collect the card

   At the appointment your fingerprints are taken and you receive a receipt (resguardo). Barcelona International Welcome says the card is usually ready in about 40 days; the receipt states where to collect it. You may need to book a separate collection appointment. Bring your passport and the receipt.

6. 6

   Step 6: Keep your details up to date

   The TIE is valid for as long as your authorisation. When you renew your permit or your situation changes, you apply for a new card. Report lost or stolen cards to the police and request a duplicate.

Watch out

Common mistakes

• Thinking the stand-alone NIE allows you to live or work in Spain.
• Choosing the wrong procedure on the 790 form, so the amount does not match and the appointment cannot go ahead.
• Waiting until after the one-month TIE deadline to start looking for an appointment.
• Bringing photocopies only; police offices usually ask for originals and copies.

Tips

• Save every appointment confirmation and the fee receipt in one folder; you will need them again for renewals.
• If you will start a job, request your social security number early; work-based TIE deadlines can run from your registration with Social Security.
• Family members who arrive with you each need their own card or certificate.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Official links

In your plan

• Book your police appointment for the TIE or EU certificateAdd to plan
• Apply for your TIE card at the policeAdd to plan
• Find the residence route that fits your moveAdd to plan
• Get your EU registration certificateAdd to plan
• Renew your residence authorisation and TIE on timeAdd to plan

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 5 Feb 2027.