NIE IN BARCELONA
OBTAINING A NIE IN BARCELONA
Our guide explains what you need to know and how to get your NIE in Barcelona. The Foreign Identification Number (NIE) is a unique number issued to foreign citizens in Spain. It is issued either by the Office of Foreigners (Oficina de Extranjeros) or by the police and gives you permission to live and work in Spain.
Número de Identidad de Extranjero
NIE is the basic identification with which you will be able to conduct any kind of legal procedure in the country, such as opening a bank account, buying a house or car, starting your company or getting your residence permit.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NIE?
EU citizens can obtain two types of NIE: a NIE number (a number written on an A4 piece of paper) or a NIE card (a physical green card).
NIE NUMBER (NÚMERO DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO)
The NIE number is written on a white piece of A4 paper along with your full name, date of birth and nationality. Once you have received your NIE number in Barcelona, the number itself is valid indefinitely, but should be upgraded to a NIE CARD if you plan to stay in Spain for longer than 6 months.
The application process can be carried out either personally by the applicant or through an authorized person (power of attorney), and requires the prior completion of Form EX15.
NIE CARD (CERTIFICADO DE REGISTRO DE CIUDADANO DE LA UNIÓN)
The NIE card contains your personal NIE number, as well as your name, date and place of birth, address in Spain and the date of application. The card’s validity period is also unlimited.
You can only submit your application in person, having previously made an appointment, for which you need to fill out form EX18.
A permanent NIE card will only be issued if you can provide evidence of one of the following:
- You have a job in Spain
- You have sufficient financial resources to take care of yourself
- You are a student and have private health insurance or an EU health card
- You are joining a family member already living in Spain
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NIE AND A TIE
There is usually confusion between the terms “Identity number for foreign nationals” (NIE) and “Identity card for foreign nationals” (TIE).
NIE
The NIE is a unique and exclusive number that allows the administrative identification of foreign citizens in the institutions of the Spanish State. It is indicated in all identification documents of a foreign citizen.
TIE
The TIE is a physical identification card that has recently been updated to prevent counterfeiting. It is required for non-EU citizens who are allowed to stay in Spain for more than six months, or all foreign citizens with a long-term permit. It contains a chip containing the owner’s biographical data and images, as well as a Foreign National Identification Number (NIE) and the type of foreigner’s stay or residence permit.
Get in touch with our team
Ready to learn more about our services or schedule a consultation? Our team is ready to answer your questions and help you.