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NIE and TIE Application

The Foreign Identity Number (NIE) and the Foreign Identity Card (TIE) have specific purposes, subjects and legal bases within Spanish immigration law:

1. Foreign Identity Number (NIE)

  • Who applies for or grants it: It is granted ex officio by the Directorate General of Police to those for whom a procedure is initiated to obtain a document enabling them to remain in Spain. It may also be applied for personally by the interested party before the Directorate General of Police, through immigration offices or police stations, or through Spanish Consular Offices abroad if the person is not in national territory.
  • Purpose: It is a personal, unique and exclusive sequential identifier whose purpose is the identification of the foreign national. It is required when the foreign national interacts with Spain for economic, professional, social or other reasons. This number must appear on all documents issued or processed for them.
  • Applicable legislation: Its legal regime is specifically regulated in the Immigration Regulations.

Obtaining the Foreign Identity Number (NIE)

When the NIE is not assigned ex officio by the Administration, the interested party may apply for it on their own following these guidelines:

  • Procedure and form: The application must be submitted in person.
  • Place of submission: If the foreign national is in Spain, it may be submitted to the Directorate General of Police, either directly or through Immigration Offices or Police Stations. If they are outside the country, the application is directed to the General Commissariat for Immigration and Borders through Spanish Consular Offices abroad.
  • Requirements: It is essential not to be in Spain in an irregular situation and to clearly state the reasons for the application (economic, professional, social, etc.).

Resolution time limits: The Administration has a maximum period of 5 days to resolve and notify from the date the application is registered with the competent body. If this period elapses without a response, the application is deemed rejected by negative administrative silence.

2. Foreign Identity Card (TIE)

  • Who applies for or grants it: All foreign nationals who have been issued a visa or authorisation to remain in Spain for a period exceeding six months have the right and obligation to apply for it, with the sole exception of holders of a seasonal residence and work visa. It must be applied for in person within one month of entry into Spain or the grant of the authorisation, at the Police Station or immigration office. The organisation of services for its issuance and delivery corresponds to the Directorate General of Police.
  • Purpose: It is the physical, personal and non-transferable document whose fundamental purpose is to identify the foreign national for the purpose of officially accrediting their legal status in Spain. Its period of validity will be identical to that of the authorisation or right justifying its issuance.
  • Applicable legislation: Its main legal framework is set out in the Immigration Act and developed in detail in Article 209 of the Immigration Regulations.

Obtaining the Foreign Identity Card (TIE)

As the physical document accrediting legal residence for more than six months, the TIE involves a more rigorous process focused on biometric identification (fingerprinting):

  • Procedure, time limit and form: The application must be submitted strictly in person. The mandatory deadline is one month from entry into Spain, or from the moment the granted authorisation takes effect (which usually occurs, for example, upon registration with Social Security).
  • Place of submission: It is processed at the Immigration Office or Police Station in the province where the foreign national has their registered address.
  • Documentation or requirements at the appointment: At the time of appearance (fingerprinting), the applicant must provide the duly completed application form, proof of payment of the corresponding fee, proof of registration with Social Security (although the Administration may verify this ex officio), and a recent colour passport-size photograph.

Collection of the card: Delivery of the physical document must also be carried out in person, proving identity as the recipient or authorised person and justifying payment of the fees.

Validity, loss and return: The TIE has the same validity as the administrative authorisation supporting it. In the event of theft, loss, damage, or if the holder's legal or employment conditions change, they must apply for a new card. There is also an obligation to physically return the TIE to the corresponding Police Station when it expires, when the authorisation is renewed, or when the right to remain in Spain is lost.