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TIE and NIE Spain: Your Complete Guide to Foreigner ID

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TIE and NIE Spain: Your Complete Guide to Foreigner ID

If you’re planning to move to Spain, you’ve likely heard about the TIE and NIE — but what are they, and which one do you need?

This guide breaks down everything: the difference between TIE and NIE, how to get them, why they’re essential, and how immigration lawyers make the process smoother.

🔍 TIE vs NIE: What’s the Difference?

Document Full Name What It Does Who Needs It
NIE Número de Identificación de Extranjero Tax ID for foreigners Anyone with financial or legal ties to Spain
TIE Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero Physical ID card for legal residency Non-EU nationals living in Spain for more than 90 days

Think of it like this:

  • The NIE is your number (like a tax ID).

  • The TIE is your card (physical proof of residence).

🧾 What Is the NIE (Foreigner Identification Number)?

The NIE is a unique identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain. It appears on most official documents and is required to:

  • Open a bank account

  • Sign a rental contract or buy property

  • Get a job or pay taxes

  • Register a vehicle or sign utilities

✅ You can apply for the NIE in Spain or at a Spanish consulate abroad.

📝 It does not grant residency or the right to live in Spain long-term — it’s just a number for legal identification.

🪪 What Is the TIE (Foreigner Identity Card)?

The TIE is a plastic ID card issued to non-EU citizens who hold a Spanish residence permit or long-term visa.

It includes:

  • Your photo

  • NIE number

  • Type of residence permit (e.g., work, study, arraigo)

  • Expiration date

You need a TIE if you’re a non-EU national staying in Spain for more than 90 days.

📍 Who Needs the NIE?

You need an NIE if you:

  • Are buying real estate in Spain

  • Have a job offer or want to freelance

  • Want to open a Spanish bank account

  • Need to sign legal contracts (e.g., for school, employment, tax)

It’s required whether you plan to live in Spain or not.

📍 Who Needs the TIE?

You need a TIE if you:

  • Are a non-EU citizen

  • Have a residence permit (e.g., work visa, student visa, arraigo, Golden Visa)

  • Are staying in Spain longer than 90 days

📌 EU citizens don’t get a TIE — they register differently using a green certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE).

📋 How to Get the NIE in Spain

  1. Book an appointment (cita previa) with Policía Nacional

  2. Fill out EX-15 form

  3. Pay the Modelo 790 Código 012 fee

  4. Bring your passport, reason for request, and application documents

  5. Submit at the designated immigration office or police station

Some NIEs can be issued same day, others take a few days to process.

📋 How to Get the TIE in Spain

  1. Enter Spain with a valid long-stay visa (e.g., student, work, non-lucrative)

  2. Apply for your TIE within 30 days of arrival

  3. Book your cita previa for “Toma de Huellas” (fingerprints)

  4. Bring these documents:

    • EX-17 form

    • Passport and visa

    • Resolution granting residency

    • Empadronamiento (registration at town hall)

    • Paid Modelo 790 Código 012 fee

  5. Submit fingerprints and get a resguardo (proof of application)

  6. Return in ~30 days to pick up your physical TIE card

🧑‍⚖️ Why Use a Lawyer for TIE or NIE?

These processes are full of bureaucracy. Mistakes or missing documents can delay or deny your card or number.

An immigration lawyer can:

✅ Book appointments on your behalf
✅ Fill out and submit all paperwork
✅ Review your visa/residence permit for compliance
✅ Guide you through in-person appointments
✅ Accompany you to Extranjería or Policía Nacional

💡 TIE Renewal or Replacement

You must renew your TIE:

  • Before it expires

  • If you change your residence status (e.g., switch from student to work)

  • If it’s lost or stolen

You’ll repeat a similar process with updated documentation. Legal support ensures your renewal is accepted without delays.

🗓 Timeline Overview

Step TIE NIE
Required for residence? ✅ Yes ❌ No
Physical card? ✅ Yes ❌ No
Processing time ~30 days Same day to 1 week
Appointment needed? ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

👨‍⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Can Help

We help clients across Spain and abroad obtain their NIE and TIE quickly and correctly. Our team:

  • Schedules your appointments

  • Handles all forms and payments

  • Translates and prepares all documents

  • Accompanies you to appointments (if needed)

  • Provides ongoing support for renewals, appeals, or changes

📞 Serving clients in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, and more.

💬 Need Your TIE or NIE Fast?

Skip the bureaucracy and avoid costly errors. Our lawyers help you get your NIE or TIE fast — and legally.

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