Hola, my friends! Today I’m tackling one of Spain’s often confused—but critical—topics for expats, property buyers, and post-Brexit Brits: the NIE number and the TIE card.

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If you’ve ever wondered…

• What’s the difference between the NIE and the TIE?
• Do I need both?
• What is NOT the NIE?
• Why does my TIE card not say ‘TIE’ on it?
• And what’s this green card that a lot of pre-Brexit Brits talk about?

…then you’re in the right place. By the end of this blog, you’ll know everything you need to know about the NIE and TIE, how to navigate Spain’s bureaucracy, avoid costly mistakes, and stay ahead of the new EES digital border system coming in 2025 (well, finger’s crossed!) Let’s get started!

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS THE NIE NUMBER?

First up: the NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero). This literally means your Foreigner Identification Number, and it’s essential for bureaucratic processes in Spain—like buying property, opening a bank account, paying taxes, buying a car, or even signing up for WiFi.

But let’s be clear about this. The NIE is a number and nothing more. It’s not a card or a piece of paper, although there is something called an NIE certificate, which is a piece of A4 paper with your NIE number on it, and that is a document which could possibly be requested by some officials. We’ll come back to that later. And yes, I’m aware that calling it the NIE number means I’m saying ‘ID number number’, but I’m going to keep on doing it anyway because it hammers home the point that it’s a number and nothing else. 

You might also hear the NIE number called your tax number or NIF, because it’s used for that as well, which is actually very handy. 

Who needs an NIE?

Well, anyone who’s a foreigner to Spain if they’re buying something substantial they will need one, or if you’re an EU or a non-EU citizen planning to stay in Spain for more than 3 months, then you’ll need one too. 

This is what the certificate looks like. Keep it safe—you might need it everywhere, tomorrow! Or you might not. This is Spain after all! 

So how do you get one?

Well, it depends on your circumstances. If you’re not moving to Spain but you’re buying a property for example, you could get your NIE number in advance from your nearest Spanish consulate. If you have a good property lawyer in Spain though, which is advisable, they can do all that for you with a power of attorney during the buying process. Getting the appointment is often the tricky part, whether you’re applying from outside or inside of Spain. So here’s a Pro tip: Book your appointment months in advance.

If you’re applying for a Spanish visa from your local consulate or BLS office, you will automatically be allocated your NIE number. Once you’ve got your visa confirmation and your passport back, you’l find the number on your visa stamp in your passport.

If you’re applying for your NIE separately though, you’ll need the EX-15 form, proof of why you need the NIE, and about €12 in fees.

Does the NIE number last forever?

Once you’ve been allocated your NIE number, it’s for life. Even if you leave Spain for decades then return, it will still be your number, so keep a record of it whatever you think the future holds. 

The NIE certificate on the other hand, will sometimes need to be less than 3 months old. It depends what you’re using it for and who’s asking for it. But you can always request an up to date certificate, and just like lots of other bureaucratic processes that are being put online these days, if you have what’s called a Digital Certificate, you can use that to request an NIE certificate. Search for Digital Certificate on this YouTube channel and you’ll find a video all about it.  

CHAPTER 2: THE TIE CARD – SPAIN’S RESIDENCY DOCUMENT 

Now, the TIE card (which stands for Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). This is your physical residency permit card. If you’re a non-EU citizen staying in Spain long-term—whether you’re a retiree, worker, student or whatever—you’ll need this.

Why doesn’t it say ‘TIE’ on the card?!”

Great question! What it actually says is Permiso de Residencia, which means residency permit, but because it has your NIE number on the front of the card and contains lots of identity details and your biometric information, it gets called the TIE, or tee-ay in Spanish, by officials and residents alike. So yes, it’s a misnomer, but it’s such a well used term it’s become part of the culture.

Now, there are different types of TIE card, depending on your circumstances, and you’ll see across the middle of the card, tipo de permiso, or type of permit. That will tell you to begin with whether you’re a temporary or a permanent resident, followed by various details of whether you’re allowed to work, whether you’re a resident because of the Brexit withdrawal agreement’s article 50, or whatever else your circumstances are. 

The card will also have the date of your residency and/or the expiry date of the card, which are very much related to each other. 

Now, if you’re a British citizen who moved to Spain before Brexit, you might still have the old green EU residency certificate or even the older A4 piece of paper. But here’s why you really need to upgrade to a TIE now…

CHAPTER 3: BREXIT, THE GREEN CARD, AND THE EES SYSTEM

Post-Brexit, British expats in Spain got a grace period. Many still have the green EU card or that trusty piece of A4 paper. Now there’s nothing illegal about still having these documents, pre-Brexit Brits in Spain still have more or less the same rights as EU citizens because of the Withdrawal Agreement. 

However, there are some bureaucratic processes that go more smoothly if you have the TIE card, and in 2025, the EU is rolling out the EES (or Entry/Exit System)—which is a digital border system that uses biometric data.

If you’re still using pre-Brexit documents, you’ll hit snags at airports. You see, the TIE card has a biometric chip that’ll work seamlessly with EES. If you want to use that system and stop having to get your passport stamped, then upgrading is not optional—it’s essential for smooth travel and proving your residency rights.

How do I switch from the green card to TIE?

You’ll need to book a TIE appointment, submit form EX-23, and prove you were resident before 2021. It may seem like a hassle, but trust me—you don’t want to be stuck in a passport control nightmare.

CHAPTER 4: HOW TO APPLY FOR YOUR NIE/TIE

Let’s break down the application process. For the NIE:

1. Fill out the EX-15 form
2. Book an appointment at the consulate or extranjeria, depending on where you’re applying from
3. Bring your passport, two passport sized photos, and the application fee
4. Bring copies of your passport pages

For the TIE:

1. First, get your visa or residency approval
2. Go to Spain!
3. Book an appointment for fingerprinting (toma de huellas)
4. Pay the application fee using the appropriate 790 form
5. Return 30-40 days later to collect your card

Yes, it can be a slow process, and it’s frustratingly difficult to get appointments sometimes in some regions, the websites can crash, and sometimes the officials can be stubborn and immovable. My advice? Hire a residency specialist like my regular Saturday guest Chris from Upsticks if you’re overwhelmed. His website is HERE.

So, to recap:

• NIE = your foreigner’s identity and tax number
• TIE = your residency permit card, containing your NIE number
• Brexit Brits – upgrade to the TIE NOW to be ready for the EES!

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This free advice was brought to you as usual by me and the many experts I’ve interviewed on the live shows every Saturday morning. You can thank me and help me to help you by checking out the GoFundMe link and showing your appreciation.

Hasta luego, and remember: Spain’s bureaucracy is a marathon, not a sprint. But with the right info, you’ll cross that finish line. 

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Whatever you need to know about moving to Spain or living here, you’ll find very helpful, accurate videos on YouTooSpain, some of them are quite a lot of fun too, and if you can’t find what you need, just ask. 
Peas & Fluff!

Article by Skatz