01What it is and who it is for
The foreigner identification number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero, NIE) is a personal number that identifies a foreign national in dealings with any Spanish authority. It is not a residence permit and it does not allow you to live or work in Spain. You need it to buy property, accept an inheritance, open a bank account, sign before a notary, pay Spanish taxes or have any other financial, professional or social link with Spain, even if you live abroad.
The foreigner identity card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, TIE) is the physical card, with photo and fingerprint, that proves you live in Spain lawfully. It is issued to non-EU nationals holding a visa or permit for more than six months, and it carries the same NIE number. Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland do not receive a TIE: they register on the Central Register of Foreign Nationals and receive a registration certificate, often called the green certificate.
In most immigration cases the NIE is allocated automatically when a visa or permit is processed. You need to apply for it separately when there is no residence application under way: a buyer of a holiday home who lives in the UK or Ireland, an heir to a Spanish estate, an investor or a freelancer invoicing Spanish clients.
02Requirements
Tick what you already have. Your ticks stay on this device only; nothing is sent to us.
03Documents
Tick what you already have. Your ticks stay on this device only; nothing is sent to us.
04How we handle it online
- Assessment
We confirm which document you actually need: an NIE to complete a purchase, a TIE after a permit has been granted, or the EU registration certificate.
- Power of attorney and paperwork
If a representative is to act for you, we tell you exactly what power to grant and where, including at a notary in your own country. We review your passport, evidence and translations.
- Forms and fee
We complete form EX-15, EX-17 or EX-18 and prepare the 790 code 012 fee form with the right box ticked, a common source of rejected payments.
- Appointment
We book the appointment (cita previa) at the police station or immigration office in your province, or tell you which consulate to use if you are abroad.
- Submission
For the NIE, we file as your representatives where the office accepts it. For the TIE, you arrive at the fingerprint appointment with everything ready, so it is short.
- Collection and checks
We tell you when the card is ready and check that the details are correct. If there is an error, we request the correction.
05Timescales and validity
By law, an NIE application must be decided within five days of being registered. If there is no answer, it is treated as refused, which opens the way to an appeal. In practice, at a police station the certificate is often handed over at the appointment or shortly after; through a consulate it takes longer because the request goes to Madrid.
The TIE must be requested within one month of arriving in Spain on a visa, or of the permit being granted or taking effect. It is valid for as long as the underlying permit. A new card is issued on renewal or when your status changes. A replacement for a lost or stolen card is valid only for the time the old one had left.
EU citizens must apply for the registration certificate within three months of arrival; it is issued on the spot if the paperwork is in order.
06Do I need to attend anything in person?
The TIE always requires you to attend in person: fingerprints are taken at a police station and cannot be given by a representative, and you collect the card yourself. The EU registration certificate must also be requested in person under Royal Decree 240/2007. The NIE can be requested by a representative holding a sufficient power of attorney, or at a Spanish consulate if you are abroad, although some police stations still insist on seeing the applicant. We prepare everything so that, where a visit is needed, you only go once.
07Common mistakes and reasons for refusal
- Booking an NIE appointment when what you need is a TIE, or the other way round.
- Missing the one month deadline for the TIE, which can lead to a fine under Organic Law 4/2000.
- Paying the 790 code 012 fee under the wrong heading: the payment is then not valid for your application.
- Using a general power of attorney, or one without apostille and sworn translation when signed outside Spain.
- Not explaining the specific reason for the NIE: the application must state your financial, professional or social interest.
- Turning up with an expired passport and no proof of renewal.
08Frequently asked questions
Does an NIE allow me to live or work in Spain?
No. It is only an identification number. To live or work in Spain you need a visa or permit and then a TIE. Many people hold an NIE for years while living abroad, for example to own a property.
I am buying a house in Spain but live in the UK. Do I need to travel for the NIE?
Not necessarily. You can apply at the Spanish consulate that covers your area or, in Spain, through a representative with a power of attorney. Consulates and police stations work at very different speeds, so we advise you which route is faster for your timetable.
Do I need an NIE to inherit in Spain?
Yes. The notary and the tax office require an NIE from foreign heirs for the deed accepting the inheritance and for inheritance tax. You apply on the basis of that financial interest, supported by the inheritance documents.
What is the difference between the green certificate and the TIE?
The green certificate is the EU citizen registration certificate. The TIE is the card issued to non-EU nationals. British nationals resident before 2021 can exchange the green certificate for a special Withdrawal Agreement TIE, which we explain on a separate page.
Can someone else attend the fingerprint appointment for me?
No. Fingerprinting for the TIE is always personal. We can book the appointment, prepare the form and fee and check your documents with you so you do not need a second visit.
My TIE has been stolen. What should I do?
Report the theft to the police and apply for a replacement using form EX-17. The new card keeps the expiry date of the old one. If this happens during the renewal window of your permit, both applications are processed together.
Does the NIE expire?
The number stays with you for life, even if your documents change. What can become outdated is the paper certificate: some banks and notaries ask for a recent one. We tell you whether it is worth requesting an updated certificate.
How long does it take to get an NIE?
By law, an NIE application must be decided within five days of being registered; if there is no answer in that time, it is treated as refused and can be appealed. At a police station the certificate is often handed over at the appointment or within a few days. Through a consulate it takes longer, because the request is forwarded to the National Police in Madrid. If you have a completion date at the notary, we recommend booking the appointment well ahead, as availability varies from province to province.
What do I bring to the TIE appointment?
Form EX-17, signed, with a copy; your full valid passport and a copy; a recent colour passport-style photo; and proof of payment of the fee on form 790 code 012. You also need the decision granting your permit, or the visa you entered on, and, if your permit allows you to work, proof of Social Security registration. Bring your appointment confirmation as well. We check your documents with you beforehand so that you do not need a second visit.
Can I apply for an NIE online?
Not as a general rule. The regulations provide for the NIE to be requested at a police station or immigration office in Spain, or through the Spanish consulate if you live abroad, and they do not set up an online application. A representative with a sufficient power of attorney can apply on your behalf, although some police stations still insist on seeing the applicant. What you can do online is book the appointment and fill in the 790 code 012 fee form, which is then paid at a bank.
09Legal basis
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, article 205 (foreigner identification number)
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, articles 206 to 209 (status documents and the TIE card)
- Organic Law 4/2000, article 4 (right and duty to hold identity documents)
- Royal Decree 240/2007, article 7 (registration of EU citizens)
Information reviewed on 03.10.2026 against the law in force. This page is for general information and is not a substitute for advice on your own case.