NIE vs TIE: how to get each one, step by step

The NIE is an identification number for foreigners used for tax and admin purposes; the TIE is the physical card proving residency and carries your NIE number. Both are requested via a cita previa appointment, need the EX-15/EX-17 forms and the tasa 790 fee paid, and health insurance should already be arranged before you apply.

Almost everything you do administratively in Spain, from opening a bank account to signing a rental contract, will at some point ask for your NIE. Many new residents also need a TIE, and the two get confused constantly because they sound similar and are handled by the same police department, but they are not the same thing.

This walkthrough covers what each document is, how the appointment system works, which forms you are likely to need, and where health insurance fits into the process.

What is the difference between the NIE and the TIE?

The NIE, Número de Identidad de Extranjero, is simply an identification number used by foreigners for tax and administrative purposes in Spain. It does not by itself prove your immigration status or your right to reside in the country. You can be assigned an NIE as a non-resident, for example to buy property, without it meaning you live in Spain.

The TIE, Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, is a physical card that proves your residency status, and it will have your NIE number printed on it. If you are moving to Spain on a long-stay visa, you will typically get your NIE first and then apply for the TIE once you are in the country, within the timeframe stated on your visa.

How do I book a cita previa appointment?

Nearly all of this paperwork runs through the cita previa (prior appointment) system on the Ministry of the Interior's website, and slots can be scarce, particularly in larger cities. It is worth checking regularly, including early mornings, since new slots are released periodically and get taken quickly.

You will need to select the correct police station (comisaría) or foreigners' office (oficina de extranjeros) for your province, and the correct procedure code for what you are applying for, since choosing the wrong one will mean redoing the booking.

Which forms do I need for the NIE or TIE?

The relevant form depends on what you are applying for. EX-15 is the standard form for requesting an NIE. EX-17 is used to apply for the TIE card once you hold a residence authorisation. EX-18 is generally used for the TIE renewal process for those already resident. Read the specific instructions for your visa type carefully, as the exact form and required attachments can vary.

• EX-15: application for the NIE number
• EX-17: application for the TIE card
• EX-18: TIE renewal for existing residents

How do I pay the tasa 790 fee?

Both the NIE and TIE processes involve paying an administrative fee known as the tasa 790, using the corresponding numbered form (790 012 for the NIE, 790 026 for the TIE, broadly speaking). You typically fill in the form, pay at a bank, and bring the stamped proof of payment to your appointment. Arriving without it is one of the most common reasons people get turned away and have to rebook.

What happens at the NIE or TIE appointment?

Bring your passport and a photocopy, the completed application form, the paid tasa receipt, your visa if applicable, and any supporting documents relevant to your specific residence category, such as proof of the visa route you entered under. For the TIE, you will usually have your fingerprints taken at the appointment, and you will be given a date or a means of checking online when the card is ready to collect.

Do I need health insurance before applying for the NIE or TIE?

Health insurance usually needs to be sorted before this stage rather than during it, since most long-stay visas (including the non-lucrative visa) require proof of private insurance as part of the original visa application, before you even travel to Spain. By the time you are booking your NIE or TIE appointment, your insurance should already be in place and, where relevant, you may be asked to show the certificate again.

If you have not yet arranged cover, or if your existing policy is coming up for renewal around the same time as your TIE, it is worth sorting both together. You can get an indicative price for a SegurCaixa Adeslas policy through the calculator on this site while you are gathering the rest of your paperwork.

How long does the NIE or TIE process realistically take?

Expect this whole process to take weeks rather than days, mostly because of appointment availability rather than the paperwork itself. Booking your cita previa as early as your visa or arrival date allows, and keeping digital and physical copies of every document you submit, will save you time if anything needs to be resubmitted.

What if my cita previa appointment is cancelled or unavailable?

It is not unusual for a cita previa system to show no available slots for weeks at a time, or for a booked appointment to be cancelled and need rebooking. Some people use a gestor, a local administrative professional who handles this kind of paperwork for a fee, particularly if their Spanish is limited or their schedule does not allow repeated attempts at booking online.

Whether you handle it yourself or use a gestor, keep a copy of every form, receipt and confirmation email you receive, since you may be asked to reproduce them at a later stage, for example when registering with the padrón or opening a bank account.

Check an Adeslas quote before your TIE appointment