Information updated on 20 August 2023
If you are planning to study or work in Spain, you will need a NIE or a TIE. The process of getting one, however, can be confusing and frustrating especially if it’s your first time doing it and you don’t speak any Spanish. In this detailed blog post, we will breakdown what a NIE/TIE is and how to get one.
What is a NIE/TIE?
A NIE (número de identidad de extranjero) refers to the national identification number issued to all non-Spanish persons seeking residency for various purposes such as work or study. This is a unique and non-transferable number assigned to every non-Spanish resident.
If you apply as an EU citizen, you will be given an identity number (NIE) and paper card (see below) with your information printed on it. You will use this card as your ID inside Spain.
The process for EU citizens is rather simple. Keep reading to see what you need to do to get one.
A TIE (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) is a card (see below) that has your picture, NIE number, address and where you work/study on the back of the card. If you are not from the European Union, you need to apply for a TIE.
Remember: the TIE refers to the card which has your NIE on it (see the card below).
This process is much more complicated since you need to register yourself at the city hall (empadronarse) to receive your padrón. Once you have done that, you are required to get an appointment at an immigration office which can be a headache. Keep reading below to find out what you need to do step by step.
Depending on which police station you are willing to go to or which city you are in, the nearest appointment you can get might be up to a month later. We recommend applying for an appointment once you arrive to Spain.
In short, NIE refers to the number issued to all residents and TIE refers to the card that has the NIE number issued for the non-EU citizens.
Think of the NIE as your passport number and the TIE as your passport itself. Your passport has your passport number on it. Your TIE has your NIE on it.
Why do I need a NIE/TIE?
You will need a NIE/TIE to
- Pay taxes and apply for paid internships or employment
- Apply for a NSS (número de seguridad social) or a Social Security Number (see our blog: How to Get a Social Security Number)
- Apply for a business permit and starting a business
- Open a bank account or buy a SIM card
- Prove you are a resident in Spain
- Other legal procedures
What documents do I need to submit to get a NIE/TIE?
In general, it depends on your status and citizenship but these are the common documents needed to be submitted at the police station:
EU citizens:
- Appointment confirmation (sent to your email)
- Passport and a photocopy
- Proof of enrollment in a school or a job offer/contract
- Receipt of paying the tax fee
- Proof of registering yourself at the city hall (Certificado de empadronamiento) – What is Empadronamiento and How to Get a Padron
- A copy of the application form EX-18 (read below for more information)
- Sufficient financial resources: an average of 532 euros per month or 6,400 euros per year
non-EU citizens:
- Appointment confirmation (sent to your email)
- Proof of enrollment in a school
- Passport and a photocopy of it
- A photocopy of your Spanish visa and entrance stamp
- 3 passport-size photos, white background, not older than 3 months
- Proof of registering yourself at the city hall (Certificado de empadronamiento) – What is Empadronamiento and How to Get a Padron
- A copy of the application form EX-17 (read below for more information)
- A copy of the tax form 790 Code 012 (read below for more information)
- Receipt of paying the tax fee (read below for more information)
- A Spanish private health insurance (only if you are renewing your NIE) (Check out our super affordable and complete Sanitas health insurance ideal for getting the Spanish student visa or applying for a NIE renewal)
- Sufficient financial resources: an average of 532 euros per month or 6,400 euros per year (only if you are renewing your NIE)
Where to begin?
1. It all begins on the official website of the Spanish Ministry of Immigration. Go to this link: https://icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html
2. Select the province where you live from the drop down menu (Barcelona, Madrid, …). Then click on Aceptar.
3. Now you need to select your case which is the type of appointment you need to make. Then click on Aceptar.
You will most probably need to pick one of these:
- Recogida de tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (TIE): you have already submitted all your papers and fingerprints and you need to pick up the physical card
- Autorizacioń de regreso: your application is in process but need to get a regreso to leave Spain and come back (read about it here)
- Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la U.E.: you are an EU citizen and you want to register yourself to get a NIE
- Certificados y asignacion NIE: you are already in Spain and want to get a NIE by changing your status (for example from touristic visa to student visa)
- TOMA DE HUELLA (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA), RENOVACIÓN DE TARJETA DE LARGA DURACIÓN Y DUPLICADO: you need to pick this if you are not an EU citizen. This is to submit your documents and digital fingerprints and receive your TIE after 30-60 days
6. The next page has a list of some of the documents you will have to present. You can download the application form EX-17 and Tax form 790 Code 012 on this page as well. Click on the button Entrar to go to the next page.
Remember that depending on which appointment type you have picked, the following pages may look different.
7. On this page, you need to enter your personal information. Select NIE if you have a NIE number on your Spanish visa. If not, select Pasaporte and enter your passport number. When you are done, click on Aceptar.
8. On the next page (screenshot below), you will see your full name and ID number. Click on Solicitar Cita if you want to make an appointment, Consultar Citas Confirmadas if you want to check the status of your confirmed appointment, Anular Cita if you want to cancel an appointment or Salir if you want to exit without any further action.
9. When you click on Solicitar Cita to make an appointment, you will be taken another page (screenshot below) where you can pick the police station where you can submit your documents. IMPORTANT: Check all the addresses on Google Maps before you pick as some of the police stations are really far away (We recommend an office near Badalona if you live in Barcelona). When you are ready, click on Siguiente to move to the next page.
11. On the next page, enter your telephone number and your email address. The confirmation letter will be sent to this email address.
12. If there are any free time slots available, you will see the page below. Select the date and time available. Click on Siguiente to move forward.
13. The next page (below) is going to show you the summary of the information. If everything looks correct, tick both “Estoy conforme con la información mostrada en pantalla” (I confirm that the information shown on the screeen is correct) and “Deseo recibir un correo electrónico con los datos de mi cita en la dirección que he proporcionado.” (I would like to receive an email with the details of my appointment at the address I have provided.). click on CONFIRMAR to confirm your appointment.
If everything goes well, you will receive a confirmation letter with all the information you have provided. Now you will need to go to the police station that you selected and present your documents. We recommend showing up at least 30 minutes earlier than your appointment since you will have to stand in a line.
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Application Form EX-17 (non-EU citizens) or Application Form EX-18 (EU citizens)
This is a short 2-page application form which you need to fill out with your information. Here we have provided the translation of the fields you have to fill out.
Section 1 (2 and 3 if you are guardian responsible for a minor)
- 1er Appellido = first last name
- 2º Appllido = second last name
- Nombre = first name
- Sexo = H: male / M: female
- Fecha de nacimiento = birthdate (in the dd/mm/yyyy format, example: 18/09/1983)
- Lugar = City/town
- País = Country
- Nacionalidad = nationality
- Estado civil = Marital status: S: single / C: married / V: widow / D: divorced / S: separated
- Nombre del padre/madre = father’s / mother’s name
- Domicilio en España = home address in Spain (this should match your empadronamiento)
- Nº = house/building number
- Piso = Apartment number
- Localidad = city / town
- C.P. = postal code
- Provencia = province
- Representante legal = ignore this field and Sections 2 and 3 if you are +18, fill out if you are a guarding responsible for a minor
Section 4
- Tarjeta inicial = if this is the first time you are getting your card
- Renovacion de tarjeta = renewing your card
- Modificación de situación legal, laboral o personal = changing your legal, work or personal status
- Duplicado por robo, extravío, destrucción o inutilización = getting a duplicate in case of losing it
- Section 4.2 Situation in Spain: Here you will have to pick why you are in Spain. The most common one is the first one Estancia por estudios, investigación-formación, intercambio, prácticas o voluntariado (studies, doing research, exchange student, internship or voluntary work).
Right above the signature box at the bottom of the page, write the name of the city (e.g. Barcelona) followed by the date: dd – mmmm – yyyy. For example: Barcelona, a 10 de septiembre de 2018.
Print the document and sign it. Make sure you take a copy to your appointment.
Tax Form 790 Code 012
This is an online tax form that you have to fill out, print, take it to any bank and pay the fee (depending on your application).
Fill out the first section IDENTIFICACIÓN with your personal information.
Scroll down to the section AUTOLIQUIDACIÓN. First, Make sure Principal is selected. Then, select the radio button that matches your status/application in Spain. In most cases, you will need to select one of these two buttons
- Non-EU citizens: TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos. (16.08 euros)
- EU citizens: Certificado de registro de residente comunitario o Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de un ciudadano de la Unión. (12.00 euros)
Now go to the bottom of the page. Write your location under Localidad and pick the date under Fecha. The amount you will have to pay as tax will be shown under Importe euros. At the bottom of the page, write the security code and click on Descargar impreso rellenado to download the PDF file.
Download the PDF version of the form 790 code 012 and print one copy. The first page should look like the following image but with your information on it.
Paying the Tax Form 790 Code 012
You can pay the fee at any bank or a CaixaBank ATM. If you go to a bank, pay the fee and ask them to stamp the form and give you a stamped receipt.
We recommend going to a CaixaBank ATM because they usually have a barcode reader and it would take less than a minute to pay and get a receipt. You will receive a receipt like the image below.
IMPORTANT: make sure you don’t lose the receipt. You must present it at the police station.
Submitting your documents and fingerprints
Now take all your documents to the police station, wait in line and wait for your name to be called (after the COVID-19 situation, you will need to confirm your appointment code there). Keep in mind that in most cases, not a single person speaks English at the police stations. If you do not speak any Spanish, we recommend taking someone who can understand and speak Spanish.
If you wish to avoid all this work and let a professional immigration lawyer do all this for you, fill out our Legal Help form and our professional lawyers will get back to you as soon as possible.
Let us know in the comment section below about your experience going through the NIE process. What worked well and what didn’t?
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.
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Thank you. After the police appointment, how long does it typically take before the card is issued?
Hi. It usually takes between 3 weeks and 4 weeks. They will tell you when to come back. If you submitted your documents back in December, it might take 4 to 5 weeks because of the holidays). You can always go to the police station and ask if your card is ready based on its serial number.
Hi, I am currently not able to get over to span due to border restrictions so was going to start my internship virtually however I need my NIE number to do this, can I apply for one from the U.K.?
Thanks
Hi. If you are a British citizen, I recommend consulting with the Spanish embassy/consulate in the UK since there have been new laws that we are not totally aware of. I’m not quite sure if a NIE is needed if you aren’t living in Spain.
Hi, great article thanks loads! Just collected my TIE and did my children’s separately so need to return to collect their TIEs later. Do you know if the children actually need to go to collect the cards or can I just take all our passports and their old green NIEs?
Thanks again!
by the way, both kids are under 6 (2 & 5) so they didn’t need to do fingerprints but only provide their photos and turn up for the initial application.
Hi, thank you so much for this post, I finally got my appointment. I’m a little confused about the fingerprints part because it’s not listed as part of the required documents, so is it necessary or not?
Am I getting my fingerprints done at the appointment? Do I get my fingerprints done and bring them to the appointment or is it something that is done after the appointment on my own?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Ren. No worries. When you go to your appointment, you will have to give them your documents and they will take your fingerprints on the spot. You dont need to do anything else before that (other than making sure you have all the required documents and have paid the tax) Thanks
I am making my appointment for two months and till I don’t get it. Could you please share me how to get the appointment?
Hi Ashkan,
Thanks so much this page was so helpful . I have a question though, I went for the appointment to get the TIE card and at the end of it, the person serving me said I needed to make a Cita Previa and then wrote down the place I need to go to pick up the card when its ready in a few weeks. However the website on the paper she gave is just the standard gov website (https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/) Do you know what I need to do to make an appointment to pick up the card when it’s ready? And is it possible to select the specific place to collect it from that she wrote on the paper ?
Thanks in advance!! Much appreciated,
Sam
Hi Sam. I’m glad you found the information helpful. Yes, you will need to make an appointment to pick up your TIE. For that, go to this link (same link for making a fingerprint appointment), then next to TRÁMITES CUERPO NACIONAL DE POLICÍA, pick the option RECOGIDA DE TARJETA IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO (TIE). You might not find any appointment at the moment. If you still can’t make an appointment 3 to 4 weeks from the date you submitted your fingerprint, you could go back there to see if they would let you pick it up without an appointment. Hope that would work.
Hi. Does this need to be at a specific office? For example my appointment was at Rambla Guipuzcoa, so does the pickup have to be at Mallorca 123?
Hi Joe. Apparently recently they send some of the cards to Mallorca 123. You have to go to both stations to ask to be sure. They seem to be changing their procedures a lot so it’s best to double check with them. Thanks
Hi Ashkan!
Thank you so much, the questions you answered helped a lot. I do have one as well pertaining to the fingerprint appointment- do we need any documents outside of what the original appointment provided us? Or is their a site with a list so we can check that we have everything in order? Thanks again!
Hi Morgan. As far as we know, it’s pretty much impossible to have a list of documents needed for every case since some nationalities need to provide some additional documents. 99% of times what the official website where you make the appointment says is enough unless you think submitting an additional document would help your case