NIE vs TIE: what's the difference?

The NIE: your number

• Your student or non-lucrative visa came with a permission to stay, so you were assigned an NIE (your foreigner identity number) automatically. You don’t need to apply for one separately.

  Official source: Real Decreto 1155/2024 — art. 205.1 y 205.3

• An NIE is one letter (X, Y or Z), 7 digits and a final check letter. On the EX-17, write it across the three NIE boxes: letter, number, final letter.

  Official source: Ministerio del Interior — Cálculo del dígito de control del NIF/NIE

• Tip, not official

  Your NIE usually appears on your visa. It looks like a letter, 7 digits and a letter, e.g. Y1234567X.

  Source: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona — Instrucciones para solicitar cita previa para la TIE (PDF, julio 2026)

The TIE: your card

• The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the card that proves a non-EU foreigner's legal situation in Spain.

  Official source: Real Decreto 1155/2024, Reglamento de la Ley Orgánica 4/2000 — art. 209.2

• The TIE proves your status in Spain, not your identity. Keep your valid passport with you as well: you must carry your TIE and show it if the authorities ask.

  Official source: Ministerio del Interior — Tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (Concepto, Obligaciones del titular)

• If your visa or permission lets you stay in Spain for more than six months, you have the right and the duty to get a TIE.

  Official source: Real Decreto 1155/2024 — art. 209.1

• Your TIE is valid for the same period as the visa-based permission behind it, and stops being valid when that permission ends.

  Official source: Real Decreto 1155/2024 — art. 209.7

Until you have the card

• Your valid visa proves your legal situation from the day you enter Spain until you get your TIE.

  Official source: Real Decreto 1155/2024 — art. 208

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

• Citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland (and their family members covered by EU rules) do not use the TIE procedures covered here.

  Official source: Hoja informativa 1 — Estancia de larga duración por estudios (Requisitos)

• The Police provide a separate registration-certificate procedure for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who will live in Spain for more than three months. Check the official page for its requirements.

  Official source: Policía Nacional — Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea

Frequently asked questions