NIE, TIE and the EU certificate: which one do you actually need?
These three get confused constantly, including by people who already have one of them. They are not interchangeable and asking for the wrong one wastes an appointment.
Last reviewed 1 August 2026 · MJ Barba Consulting, Madrid
THE SHORT ANSWER
The NIE is a number — your tax and legal identifier in Spain, and it never changes. The TIE is a physical card proving you are a legal resident, and it expires. The EU registration certificate is a green paper for EU citizens, which is not a TIE and never becomes one.
The NIE: a number, not a document
The Número de Identidad de Extranjero is what identifies you to the Spanish tax office, the social security system, banks and notaries. You need it to buy property, sign a contract, open a business account or pay tax — even if you do not live in Spain.
You can get one without being a resident. That is the point people miss: having an NIE says nothing about your immigration status. It is issued on form EX-15 and delivered as a paper certificate.
The TIE: proof that you are a legal resident
The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero is the card issued to non-EU nationals who hold a residence authorisation. It shows your NIE, your photo, your fingerprints and the type and expiry of your permit.
You apply on form EX-17 after your residence permit has been granted, and you must attend a fingerprint appointment in person. The card arrives around four to six weeks later.
It expires with your permit. Renewing it is a separate step from renewing the underlying authorisation, and confusing the two is how people end up with a valid permit and an expired card.
EU citizens: the green certificate
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen staying more than three months, you register in the Central Register of Foreigners and receive a small green certificate or card showing your NIE.
It is not a TIE, it has no photo, and it does not expire in the same way. Non-EU family members of EU citizens get a different card again — the tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión.
The two fees people mix up
Form 790, code 052 is handled by the Immigration Office and is paid when you submit an application for an authorisation.
Form 790, code 012 is handled by the National Police and is paid at the end, just before the fingerprint appointment, for issuing the physical card.
In a complete process you pay both — but never at the same time. Paying the wrong one costs you another appointment, and appointments are the scarce resource in this system.
Not sure whether your situation fits? Send us the details and we will tell you whether it works before you spend anything on documents. We answer in English, usually within 24 hours. An initial consultation costs €50.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Questions we get every week
No. The NIE is assigned once and stays with you for life, even if you leave Spain and come back years later.
Yes, through the Spanish consulate in your country, or through a representative in Spain with a power of attorney.
Availability varies enormously between offices within the same province. Restricting yourself to the nearest one is the most common reason people conclude there are none.
Your legal status depends on the authorisation, not the card — but without a valid card you will struggle to prove it. Renew the card.