NIE NUMBER/CARD

 

 

What is a NIE?

 

A NIE for students (número de identidad de extranjero) is an identification number for foreigners in Spain. For citizens of the European Union, no residence permit or visa are needed to live in Spain. The only residency requirement is a valid NIE. If your stay in Spain will be longer than 6 months, before getting your NIE you will need to request the empadronament.

 

In Spain a “cita previa” (appointment) is now required just to start the application. There is a completely different process and a new set of requirements if you apply for a NIE card.

 

 

NIE Number vs. NIE Card

 

There are two types of NIE: NIE number and NIE card for students.

 

If you are an European student, you need to request the NIE number.

If you are a non-European student, you need to request the NIE card.

 

A NIE number is just a number written on a white piece of paper.

 

The NIE card, meanwhile, is a little green card also referred to as a residency certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión) or residency card (tarjeta de residencia) which will allow you to complete all the necessary paperwork for your everyday life in Spain. Therefore, you won't need to carry your passport with you all the time. See the application process for both types of NIE below.

 

NIE Number (Número de identidad de extranjero):

 

   ·       a number written on a white piece of paper

   ·       newly with unlimited validity

   ·       consists of 1 letter at the beginning, 7 numbers and 1 letter at the end – e.g.: Y-1234567-E

 

   ·       the entire process and all its requirements are described here  (in Spanish) 

   ·       application by filling out the EX15 form (EX15 in English). To apply for any of these permits you must use the official spanish version form.

 

 

NIE Card:

 

   ·        little green paper card laminated on the back (previously a piece of green paper, A4 size)

   ·       contains NIE number together with your name, date and birthplace, address in Spain and date of application

   ·       Required for stays exceeding 3 months

   ·       NIE application possible only in person and by

                                                                                           appointment.

                                                                                                  ·       The validity of NIE Card is unlimited (or until

                                                                                           they change the law)

                                                                                                  ·       The complete requirements (in Spanish) can be

                                                                                           found here.

                                                                                                  ·       application by filling out the EX17 form. To apply

                                                                                          for any of these permits you must  use the official                                                                                            Spanish version form.

 

  

NIE Application

 

 

The application can differ from area to area and also depends on your nationality.

 

In Barcelona city, you need to go at Rambla Guipuzcoa, 74 , Barcelona. Their hours are, generally, Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 14:00.

If you live outside of Barcelona city, here is a list of the places in Catalunya where you can get your NIE arranged.

 

How to get to the extranjeria office in Barcelona?

From the center of Barcelona, take the purple metro line (L2) to Bac de Roda station. Also bus numbers 33, B24 and H10 stop nearby.

You need “cita previa” (appointment) and make sure that you carry with you all the necessary documents to request your NIE.

 

Non-European students will need:

 

•      Passport (original + photocopy)

•      Student Visa (original + photocopy)

•      Stamp of entry into EU (it is important you keep your boarding pass)

•      Official form, duly filled in + photocopy (EX17)

•      Acceptance letter (original + photocopy)

•      3 pictures of you (passport size)

•      Certificat d’empadronament (Spanish residence certificate)

•      You will be asked to pay an administrative fee (to pay the administrative fee, fill in Modelo 790 online in this link before your appointment and select the option "TIE que documenta la autorización de residencia de larga duración o de residencia de larga duración-UE")     

 

European students will need:

 

•      Passport (original + photocopy)

•      Official form, duly filled in + photocopy) (EX15)

•      Acceptance letter (original + photocopy)

•      You will be asked to pay an administrative fee (to pay the administrative fee, fill in Modelo 790 online in this link before your appointment and select the option "Asignación de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) a instancia del interesado".)

•      Certificat d’empadronament  (Spanish residence certificate)

 

 

 

NIE Cita previa (Appointment) for EU citizens

 

To be able to apply for the NIE  you will first need to schedule the cita previa (appointment).

 

On the website: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/citar, you can schedule your NIE appointment without many problems if you know some Spanish.

 

 

1. Select the province you will be located (Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona or Lleida). In this example, we will select Barcelona. Then, click "Aceptar".

 

2. You should select the second option: "2. Certificados UE"

3. Open the menu and select "POLICIA-CERTIFICADOS UE"

4. We recommend you to copy and paste all the content of this page in a word document, you will find out all the information and documents you will need the appointment day. Then click "Entrar".

5. Select "Pasaporte / Documento de identidad" and write down your passport number and your name and surname down below. Select the field "No soy un robot" and click "Aceptar".

6. Click "Solicitar Cita".

It can appear this screen. This screen means that there are no available appointments at the moment. In this case, you should keep trying as often as possible during the day, until you can get an appointment. Don't despair, because if you keep trying, you will get it.

NIE Cita previa (Appointment) for Non-EU citizens

 

To be able to apply for the NIE  you will first need to schedule the cita previa (appointment).

 

On the website: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/citar, you can schedule your NIE appointment without many problems if you know some Spanish.

 

 

1. Select the province you will be located (Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona or Lleida). In this example, we will select Barcelona. Then, click "Aceptar".

 

2. You should select the second option: "3. Expedición de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero"

3. Open the menu and select "POLICIA-    TOMA DE HUELLAS (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA) Y RENOVACIÓN DE TARJETA DE LARGA DURACIÓN"

4. We recommend you to copy and paste all the content of this page in a word document, you will find out all the information and documents you will need the appointment day. Then click "Entrar".

5. Select "Pasaporte" and write down your passport number, your name and surname, country of nationality, expiration date of your current card. Select the field "No soy un robot" and click "Aceptar"

6. Click "Solicitar Cita".

It can appear this screen. This screen means that there are no available appointments at the moment. In this case, you should keep trying as often as possible during the day, until you can get an appointment. Don't despair, because if you keep trying, you will get it.