1. 🤔 What’s the Difference Between NIE, TIE, and EU Certificate?
These three documents are often confused, but each has a different purpose. If you’re moving to or doing business in Spain, you may need one or more of them.
🔍 Quick Definitions
| Document | What It Is | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|
| NIE | Foreigner Identification Number | All foreigners (EU & non-EU) |
| TIE | Foreigners’ Identity Card (residency ID) | Non-EU citizens residing in Spain |
| EU Certificate | Green paper proving EU residency | EU citizens residing in Spain |
Let’s break it down further.
2. 🛂 What Is the NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)?
The NIE is simply a tax ID number assigned to non-Spaniards.
It’s required for:
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Buying or renting property
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Opening a bank account
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Signing contracts
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Paying taxes or receiving income
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Applying for residency
📌 The NIE is not a residency card. It’s just an identification number — like a Spanish NIF (for citizens).
3. 🪪 What Is the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)?
The TIE is a residency card issued to non-EU citizens who legally live in Spain.
It includes:
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Your NIE number
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A photo and fingerprint
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Your residence permit type
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The card’s expiration date
✅ You’ll need a TIE if you apply for:
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Digital Nomad Visa
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Student or Work Visa
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Non-Lucrative Visa
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Family Reunification
🕒 You must apply for your TIE within 30 days of arriving in Spain with a visa.
4. 🟩 What Is the EU Certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión)?
If you’re from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and staying in Spain for more than 90 days, you must register for an EU Certificate (aka green certificate or “residencia verde”).
This paper confirms:
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You are an EU citizen residing in Spain
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Your NIE number
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Your registered Spanish address
It does not include a photo or fingerprint.
📌 While it’s often called a residency document, it’s technically a registration certificate, not a national ID.
5. 📄 Summary Comparison Table
| Feature | NIE | TIE | EU Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | ID number only | Physical ID card | Green residency certificate |
| Who gets it | All foreigners | Non-EU residents | EU citizens staying >90 days |
| Includes photo? | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Requires fingerprinting? | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Proof of legal residency? | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Used for tax/legal ID | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
6. ⚖️ Which One Do You Need?
| Situation | You Need… |
|---|---|
| Buying property in Spain | NIE |
| Applying for visa (non-EU) | NIE → TIE |
| Moving to Spain (EU citizen) | NIE → EU Certificate |
| Signing long-term rental contract | NIE |
| Starting a job (non-EU) | NIE → TIE |
| Freelancing in Spain | NIE → TIE or EU Cert. |
7. 🧩 Can You Have All Three?
Yes. Example:
A non-EU citizen may:
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Apply for a NIE
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Receive a visa
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Arrive in Spain
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Apply for a TIE — which includes the NIE number
💡 The NIE is a constant — once assigned, it never changes. Your TIE or certificate will reference the same NIE number.
8. 👩⚖️ Borderless Lawyers Can Help
Confused about which document you need — and how to apply?
We handle the full legal process:
✔ NIE applications
✔ TIE appointment and fingerprinting
✔ EU Certificate registrations
✔ POA-based remote services
✔ Residency, visa, and tax guidance