Getting a Spanish NIE and TIE: a practical walkthrough

Select your province, then the procedure. For a TIE after arriving with a national visa, the procedure is usually called "Policía: toma de huellas (expedición de tarjeta)". For an NIE number alone, choose "Policía: certificados y asignación NIE".

Step 2: pay the fee

Fees are paid in advance using Modelo 790 código 012. Fill in the form online, choose the correct procedure, print it and pay at a bank or online with a Spanish account. The fees are modest, roughly 12 euros for an NIE certificate and between 16 and 22 euros for a TIE depending on its type. Bring the stamped receipt to your appointment.

Step 3: gather your documents

For a TIE after arriving on a national visa, typically:

• Form EX-17, completed and signed
• Passport and a copy of every page with stamps, including the visa and entry stamp
• One recent passport photo with a white background
• Paid fee form (790 código 012)
• Empadronamiento certificate (padrón) from your town hall, showing your address
• Your visa approval or resolution letter

For an NIE number only (for instance, to buy property as a non-resident):

• Form EX-15
• Passport and copy
• Paid fee form
• A document explaining why you need the NIE, such as a purchase agreement or job offer

Step 4: the empadronamiento

Registering your address with the town hall (the padrón) is required for the TIE and is useful for healthcare, schools and voting in local elections as an EU citizen. You need a rental contract or permission from the property owner. Barcelona's town hall has its own appointment system.

Step 5: collect your card

After fingerprints, you receive a receipt (resguardo). The card is usually ready in 30 to 45 days, and you often need a second appointment to collect it. The receipt proves your legal status in the meantime.

Common mistakes

• Booking the wrong procedure in the appointment system
• Forgetting copies of every passport page
• Using an outdated EX form, as forms are updated from time to time
• Missing the deadline: non-EU residents must apply for a TIE within one month of arriving in Spain on a national visa

My experience in Barcelona

It took me 11 days of checking to find a fingerprint appointment in a police station in the Barcelona province. The appointment itself took 15 minutes. My TIE was ready 35 days later. My advice is to start checking for appointments on your first day in Spain, even before you have all your documents, because you can finish the paperwork while you wait.

This guide is general information for planning. Rules and prices change, so always confirm with the official source before you apply or sign anything.