NIE and TIE: what's the difference between a residence in Spain and a residence in Spain?

NIE and TIE: difference in one table

The difference is easier to see next to the table.

The amounts are taken from the duty table on the October 2026 website of Policía, paid by modelo 790 code 012 [4]The size changes, so check the form before paying.

What's NIE and who gets it?

NIE, número de identidad de extrandjero, is the identifier under which you appear in all documents and procedures. Article 205 of the regulations describes it as a personal, unique and consistent number that must be on every document issued to an alien. [1]He added no rights: neither residence nor work.

If you are in favour of a procedure for a document that allows you to stay in Spain, the NIE is assigned a post (de officio) without a separate application. This only works for visas for those who are allowed to stay for more than 90 days. [1]The second way is for those with economic, professional or social ties with Spain, but no permission: for example, buying a property or opening an account. They ask for the number themselves: the EX-15 form, the receipt for the modelo 790 code 012, the deadline for the decision is 5 days, and the silence of the department means refusal, not consent. [1][2]The person should not be in Spain illegally and must give reasons.

The detailed order for Barcelona is discussed in the article NIE in Barcelona: step-by-step receiptprice in the article How much is getting a NIE?A separate question about how NIE is different from the tax number is described in the material what the NIF is and how it is different from NIE.

What a residence permit is: a decision, not a number or a card

When you say "residence permit", you mean autorización de residencia: a decision that determines the grounds and extent of your right to be in Spain, article 206 of the regulations lists the reasons for the alien's confirmation of his situation: passport, visa, permit permit, TIE card or certificado de residente and de no residente. [1]. Visa under article 208 confirms the situation for which issued, from the moment of entry to the receipt of the TIE [1].

Therefore, the resolution itself should be read: the name of the procedure, the date, the date of notification, the conditions of entry into force. In certain cases, for example, in employment, the authorization begins after the alta in the Segurid Social, and the card will not be issued before then: Article 209 expressly states that, in such a connection, the conditions shall be verified before the card is issued. [1]If the decision comes by e-mail or by sede, save his source file, not the screen shot.

We wrote about the general picture of the basis in the article. residence in Spain: where to start and how to choose the basis. The decisions of the Tribunal Supremo of 8 and 29 July 2026 articles 205, 206 and 209 are without prejudice: the court declared invalid other provisions, in particular article 197.2 on compulsory electronic presentation. [8][9].

What is TIE and when it's processed

TIE, Tarjeta de identidad de extranjero, under article 209, is a document that identifies the alien and confirms his or her legal position in Spain. The right and obligation to obtain a card arises for anyone who has been granted a visa or permit for more than six months. [1]For DNV, this repeats article 76 Ley 14/2013: if the permit is valid for more than six months, TIE requests it after receiving it. [5].

Personal and non-transferable cards, operate as much as a permit, and are no longer in force with them. [1]. Issues it to Policía at the commissariat where the case was conducted or the decision was handed over; upon receipt, it is necessary to confirm the identity and payment of the fee. [1][3]Breach of card obligations is sanctioned under Ley Orgánica 4/2000 [1].

The extension does not leave you an old card: Article 209 provides for the issuance of a new one and the former is handed over to the police station [1]Losses only change plastic: a new card is not considered an extension and is issued for the remainder of the term [1]How to go through the recording and fingerprinting, see article TIE and Huellas in BarcelonaPrices by type of card in the material How much TIE is, and the order for loss in article lost or stolen TIE.

EU citizens: certificado de Registro instead of TIE

The EU and European Economic Area citizens do not have a residence permit in the sense of a permit, but they register if they remain in Spain for more than three months and receive certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE. The application is submitted in person to the OFICina de Extrajería or the Commissariat within three months of entry, the document is issued immediately, the form EX-18 is issued. [6][7]. The certificate contains the name, citizenship, address, NIE and date of registration [7]His name is sometimes "green NIE", but the number and document remain different. [7]III. Details under CUE: Registration of an EU citizen in Spain.

In what order the documents are issued to the different claimants

The order depends on the route. Three typical versions look like this.

1. Visa's in the consulate. You get a visa, you enter, NIE is assigned to a post if the visa is more than 90 days. [1].
2. A statement from Spain, for example DNV via UGE. The NIE is often requested for electronic application on its own and in advance, why is this explained in the article on NIE in Barcelona. [1][5].
3. Buying a place or a bill without a permit. You ask for a NIE application, you won't have permissions or cards.

Each of the options has the same number, changes the permit and card. If NIE is needed for a DNV visa, check your consulate's page, demand the number at the time of delivery, or only recommend.

Typical errors in the confusion between NIE, TIE and residence permits

• Consider the NIE certificate as a proof of the right to live. She confirms the number, the buyer of the apartment without a NIE visa gives the opportunity to sign the deal, but not to move.
• It's not the right procedure to sign up for. In the Cita previa NIE system, fingerprinting and receipt of a finished card are followed by different items. Cita previa in extranjería.
• Pay the wrong duty. The fee for the permit and card fee is two payments with different recipients. tasas 790.
• Thinking that plastic was out of the way means the permit's expired. The card is valid for the period of authorization, but if the permit is renewed, it is valid until the decision is reached (general rule of article 200.1 Reglamento, for no lucrativa article 64, for DNV article 76 Ley 14/2013) [1][5]I. What to do with travel during this period is addressed in the article autorización de regreso.
• To rule the scan of the card or the decision on your own. The data error is the department, not you.

When Individual Review Is Needed

You need to deal with a few documents with different dates and you don't know which one confirms what; if the permit is coming to an end; if the decision has a condition like alta in Seguridd Social; if people have different grounds and different cards in the family. Then it matters what document you have in your hands and what it says. The legal part is better to check with a lawyer, tax and administrative. Hestor.

What can we help you with?

The NEXO team in Barcelona can take your documents apart, say that they are the number, that the permit, and that card, help with the EX-15 form and the duty, select the right entry and check the data in the completed TIE. form of consultationRead more about the service on the page Documents and records of the agencies.

Frequent issues

Related materials

The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.