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Our immigration lawyers will assist you throughout the entire process of obtaining your Foreigner Identification Number in Spain.
Tell us about your case and our lawyers will assist you throughout the entire process.
The NIE in Spain stands for Número de Identidad de Extranjero, which translates to Foreigner Identification Number. It is a unique identification number assigned to non-Spanish citizens by the Spanish authorities for various administrative and legal purposes. It is an important document for foreigners residing or conducting activities in the country.
Opening a bank account
Filing an income tax return
Buying or selling property
Applying for a residence permit
Resident NIE: For European citizens residing in Spain for more than three months.
Non-Resident NIE: For European citizens residing in Spain for less than three months, and for non-European citizens residing in Spain for more than three months.
Temporary NIE: Only valid for three months to carry out certain procedures in Spain, such as buying property.
Bear in mind that the NIE is a unique number that is used for various procedures. There are no types as such, but you can use it for different things. Actually, we could differentiate between TIE and NIE.
The NIE can be used simply to enter Spain as a tourist, to buy a property in Spain or to obtain your residence or long-term stay.
In Spain: at the Directorate-General of the Police, immigration office or police station in the area where you reside.
Abroad: at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country of origin, where the reasons for the application must be explained.
Our team will take care of submitting your application or renewal online, helping you complete the process without unnecessary complications or trips.
Start your applicationFull support throughout the process We will be by your side from the beginning of the NIE application process until the end.
We prepare your documentation We will organize the required documents and complete the necessary forms for you.
Assistance with the formalities We can accompany you when required and collect your NIE on your behalf with your authorization.
Real experiences from people we have assisted throughout their immigration process in Spain.
We will accompany you from the beginning of the NIE application process until the end.
Start now ↑The TIE is the physical residency card for non-EU citizens. It stands for Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, which translates to Foreigner’s Identity Card. The NIE is the identity number, which will be placed on the TIE.
So, the TIE is the identity card, and the NIE is the identification number.
The NIE number does not change. However, the TIE expires. Every few years, depending on the residence permit, the non-EU citizen will have to apply for residency permit or NIE renewal.
In case of needing a duplicate of NIE, because it got stolen or lost, bear in mind that it is the duplicate of the TIE, your NIE cannot get lost.
If you are a non-EU citizen, the NIE per se is not what allows you to live and work in Spain. Rather, you will have to obtain a TIE, which is the residence authorization.
Any non-European citizen staying in Spain for more than 90 days is required to have a TIE.
It does not take very long to obtain your NIE in Spain. In fact, you can usually get your NIE on the day of your application at the police office.
However, if you apply from your country of origin, it usually takes a week or two to receive your NIE number.
The requirements for a Spanish NIE number are the following:
For the residence permit card or TIE, you will need an appointment for NIE fingerprints.
All NIE numbers follow the same format. They all start with an X, Y, or Z followed by 7 or 8 digits then another letter (example: X12345678A).
Contact our team of immigration lawyers and we will assist you throughout the entire NIE application process.
