When a foreigner arrives in Spain and intends to stay less than three months, he or she only needs a valid passport or ID card of his or her country.

However, if his stay in the country is to be extended beyond three months for social, professional or economic reasons, he must register with the Foreigners' Bureau, where he will be assigned a Foreigner Identification Number (N.I.E.).

Foreigners' offices are not located in every police station in Spain. They are usually located in larger cities or in areas with a high concentration of foreigners. They are special branches of the National Police (Policía Nacional) or Guardia Civil that deal with foreigner-related issues, such as:

1. Issuance of identification numbers for foreigners (NIE - Número de Identificación de Extranjero).
2. Visa Extensions.
3. Issuance of residence permits.
4. Registration of residence of EU citizens.

To find the nearest office for foreigners, it is best to visit the website of Spain's Policía Nacional or contact your local police station, which should be able to provide information on the nearest office serving foreigners.

Número de Identificación de Extranjero (N.I.E.) in Spain, as well described on the Interior Ministry's website, is a unique number assigned to foreigners who have any connection to Spain (economic, professional or social). This number must appear on documents that the foreigner issues or arranges (including signing an employment contract or opening a bank account).

The body responsible for issuing N.I.E. in Spain is the Directorate General of Police. Therefore, to apply, you must go to the Police Station that has the Foreigners Office.

What documents should be provided? The following documents are required to obtain an N.I.E. in Spain:

• A completed application form (EX-15).
• The original and a copy of the passport (or, if there is no passport, proof of identity).
• Explanation of the reasons justifying the N.I.E. request.
• Tasa Modelo 790 Código 012 (charge)

If the application is submitted by an attorney, he or she must demonstrate that he or she has sufficient power of attorney to carry out the procedure. Each N.I.E. number follows the same simple format. It consists of a letter followed by 7 digits and another letter at the end.

Having an N.I.E. number is necessary for many administrative procedures in Spain, such as:

• Signing an employment contract.
• Access to the social security system and public health care.
• Purchase or sale of real estate.
• Concluding a contract for the supply of electricity, water or gas to the apartment.
• Paying taxes.
• Opening a bank account.

What are the differences between N.I.E. white, C.U.E. commonly referred to as N.I.E. green, and T.I.E., or residence card?

N.I.E. white is a Certificate of Assignment of Foreigner Identification Number registered in the Central Register of Foreigners at the National Police. It is simply a document issued on white paper that contains this number.

This document confirms that the foreigner is registered in the General Register of Foreigners at the Directorate General of Police with this N.I.E.

It can be obtained by any foreigner (from both the EU and non-EU) who needs to identify himself for economic or professional matters in Spain. Reasons that can be indicated are, for example: planned business activities, but also simply planning to buy property or move to Spain.

What is N.I.E. white used for?

It makes it possible to deal with the administration, open a bank account, take out a health insurance contract, complete tax transactions, purchase real estate, obtain a driver's license, etc. For this reason, white N.I.E. is sometimes called “N.I.E. for economic reasons.”

Polish citizens can also obtain a Número de Identificación de Extranjero at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in Poland. This procedure allows you to obtain an N.I.E. number before you arrive in Spain, which can be convenient if you are planning to buy property, open a bank account or take a job in Spain.

Certificado de residencia permanente de ciudadano de la Unión Europea (C.U.E.) commonly called Green N.I.E. is so called because the document is in the form of a small green card. The official name is the Certificate of Registration of a Citizen of the European Union (C.U.E.).

It is required for EU citizens who wish to stay in Spain for more than three months. The C.U.E. must be applied for within three months of arrival in Spain.

What is “Green N.I.E.” used for?

Allows official identification of a foreigner, acting as an identity document. Confirms residence in Spain and allows certain economic activities to be carried out. Allows the exercise of certain rights, such as: work, study, voting, etc.

Obtaining a C.U.E. in Spain requires the preparation of the appropriate documents, which may vary depending on the status of the applicant (employed under an employment contract, self-employed, not working, with financial resources). Documents that are required for all applicants are: a completed application form (EX-18), original and copy of passport or ID card, proof of health insurance, Tasa Modelo 790 Código 012 (fee). Requirements for other documents should be determined according to your status. A photo in the specified format will also be necessary, and it is a good idea to bring several copies of each document with you. The process is relatively simple if all of the following are met requirements and the document itself is usually issued on the spot during the visit.

The Residence Card is used generically to refer to various categories of residence permits. These permits culminate in obtaining a T.I.E.

T.I.E. (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero): now has a new format, similar to the ID card (DNI).

It is obtained upon approval of a temporary or permanent residence permit in Spain.

The T.I.E. is a mandatory document for non-EU citizens who have obtained a residence permit in Spain, whether for professional reasons, education, family reunification, settlement, etc. The T.I.E. card is issued for a specific period of time, which depends on the type of residence permit. It is not a mandatory document for EU citizens.

What is T.I.E. used for?

It is a physical card containing the N.I.E. and personal information. It is necessary for legal residence and work in Spain, as well as to enter and leave the country.