Paperwork
NIE vs TIE: What’s the Difference?
NIE and TIE are two of the first terms you’ll hear in Spain, and they’re easy to mix up. This guide explains what each one is and which you need.
By
How to Live in Spain
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2 min read
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NIE and TIE get mixed up all the time, partly because one contains the other. The short version: the NIE is a number and the TIE is a card. Most non-EU residents end up with both, but they’re issued at different moments for different reasons.
The NIE is your number
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the identity and tax number every foreigner needs to buy property, sign contracts or work in Spain. It never changes. If you only need the number, for example to buy a flat without moving here, you apply with form EX-15 and the modelo 790 código 012 fee at a police station in Spain or at a Spanish consulate, and you receive a paper certificate.
The TIE is your residence card
The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical card non-EU residents carry to show they live in Spain legally. It shows your NIE, your photo and the type of residence you hold. You apply within a month of arriving on a residence visa, at a police fingerprint appointment, with form EX-17 and the 790-012 fee.
Which one do you need?
If you’re moving here from outside the EU on a visa, you need a TIE, and your NIE comes with it. If you’re buying property or doing business here without living here, the NIE certificate is enough. EU citizens don’t get a TIE: they register as EU residents and receive a registration certificate that also shows their NIE.
Ready to apply? Follow our free checklists for getting an NIE number and getting your TIE card.
Your NIE is a number, your TIE is a card
Your TIE card shows your NIE number
Non-EU residents usually need a TIE
EU citizens get a registration certificate instead
Keep copies of both somewhere safe
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