NIE number, TIE card and empadronamiento in Spain

Three pieces of Spanish paperwork confuse almost every newcomer, because people use the names loosely. The NIE is a number. The TIE is a card. The empadronamiento is your registration at the town hall. Residents need all three, and a non-resident buying property needs only the first.

The three at a glance

	NIE	TIE	Empadronamiento
What it is	A foreigner’s identity number	The resident card	Registration of your address at the town hall
Who needs it	Anyone with business in Spain, resident or not	Non-EU residents staying more than six months	Everyone living in Spain
Where you get it	With your visa, at a consulate, or at the National Police	National Police, in the province where you live	Your town hall (ayuntamiento)
Does it expire	No	Yes, with your residence permission	Non-EU residents without long-term status confirm it every two years

The NIE number

The Número de Identidad de Extranjero identifies you to the tax office, the police, banks and utility companies. It doesn’t by itself give you any right to live in Spain.

How Americans get one

• With a residence visa. If you are approved for a non-lucrative, digital nomad or other residence visa, the NIE is assigned as part of that process and normally appears on the visa. You don’t apply separately.
• As a non-resident at a consulate. You apply to the Spanish consulate for your area with the application form, your passport, the fee, and a reason for needing the number.
• As a non-resident in Spain. You apply at a National Police office that handles foreigners, by appointment, with the same form and a fee paid at a bank beforehand.
• Through a representative. A lawyer or gestor in Spain can apply for you with a power of attorney. Property buyers often do this.

The fee is small, in the region of €10 to €15. A non-resident gets a paper certificate showing the number. The number itself doesn’t change if you later become resident.

The TIE card

The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero is the proof that you are a legal resident. It shows your photo, NIE, the type of residence you hold and the expiry date.

How to get it

1. Book an appointment (cita previa) for fingerprinting at the National Police office for your province. You are expected to apply within one month of arriving in Spain.
2. Bring the documents. Typically the application form, your passport with the visa and entry stamp, a passport photo, proof the card fee was paid, and often your town hall registration certificate. Offices differ, so check the list for yours.
3. Give fingerprints. You are given a receipt.
4. Collect the card in person, usually about a month later, with a second appointment in many offices.

Appointments are the hard part. In Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Málaga they are released in small batches and go quickly. Start trying as soon as you arrive, and keep proof of your attempts. This is one of the main reasons people pay a lawyer or gestor.

Living with a TIE

• Carry it, or a copy, as your ID in Spain. Take the original with your passport when you leave and re-enter the Schengen area.
• File the renewal of your residence permission from 60 days before it expires. Filing late is possible for a short period but risks a fine.
• Report a lost or stolen card to the police and apply for a duplicate.
• If your card is being renewed and you need to travel, ask about a return authorisation before you leave Spain.

Empadronamiento

Registering on the padrón tells your municipality that you live there. It is a legal duty for everyone living in Spain, it is free, and it is usually the first thing to do after you move in.

How to register

Go to your town hall, or its website in larger cities, with:

• Your passport, and your TIE if you already have it.
• Proof of address: a rental contract in your name, a property deed, or a signed authorisation from the person you live with.
• The registration form.

You receive a certificate, usually on the spot or within days. Many offices want a certificate issued in the last three months, so ask for a fresh one when you need it.

What it is used for

• Applying for the TIE in many provinces.
• Registering with a public health centre if you are entitled to public care.
• School places.
• Importing household goods without duty.
• Counting your residence toward the public health buy-in and other things that depend on time lived in Spain.

The order to do things in

1. Arrive with your visa, which shows your NIE.
2. Sign a rental contract and register at the town hall.
3. Book and attend the TIE appointment within a month of arrival.
4. Open a resident bank account and set up utilities with your NIE.
5. Get a digital certificate or sign up for the government’s Cl@ve system, so you can deal with offices online.

For where these fit in the whole move, see the steps for moving to Spain. For the visas themselves, see the residency overview.

Common questions

What is an NIE number in Spain?

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the identification number Spain gives to foreigners. It is a letter, seven digits and a final letter, and it stays the same for life. You need it to buy property, pay tax, open most bank accounts and sign many contracts.

What is the difference between an NIE and a TIE?

The NIE is a number. The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical resident card, with your photo and fingerprint, that proves you have permission to live in Spain. Your NIE is printed on your TIE.

Can I get an NIE without living in Spain?

Yes. Non-residents can apply for an NIE for a specific reason, such as buying property, either at a Spanish consulate in the US or at a National Police office in Spain. A representative with a power of attorney can also apply for you.

What is empadronamiento?

It is registration on the municipal register (padrón) at the town hall where you live. The certificate proves your address and is asked for when you apply for a TIE, a health card, a school place and many other things.