NIE NUMBER REQUEST (Foreign Identification Number)

The NIE is the number used to identify foreign citizens in Spain. This number is essential to carry out various activities on the national territory (buying or selling real estate, working or creating a business, contracting various services, or accessing the public health system, among others).

There are different ways of obtaining this identification, depending on whether you are a permanent resident in Spain or not, whether you belong to an EU country or a third country, etc.

N.I.E. NUMBER ASSIGNMENT

Obtaining this number is the first step to be registered in Spain, and it does not require being a permanent resident in the national territory. This process is necessary for any foreigner who will exercise any economic, professional or social action in Spain, but who continues to maintain his tax residence in his country of origin.

EUROPEAN UNION CITIZEN REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE

Citizens of European Union member countries who are going to reside in Spain for a period over three months must obtain the Certificate of Registration of Union Citizen. This certificate accredits them as residents on Spanish territory and serves to

register them in the Register of Foreigners.

As a Spanish resident you have access to a series of social benefits (public health and education), therefore it is necessary to demonstrate one of the following conditions:

• Being self-employed or salaried

• Having sufficient resources to support yourself, on your own or through a pension from your home country, in addition to having public or private health insurance.

• Being a student with a recognized registration in a Spanish education center. In addition, you have public or private insurance and have signed a responsible declaration certifying that you have sufficient means to survive.

• Being a family member (spouse or direct descendant up to 21 years old) of a citizen of the Union who fulfills one of the above conditions.

FOREIGN IDENTITY CARD (T.I.E.)

Foreigners who belong to third countries (outside the EU) and who will stay in Spain for a period over 6 months (or 183 days or more throughout the year) are required to obtain the T.I.E. which accredits them as legal permanent residents in Spain.

To do this, they must provide a residence permit or visa for a period of six months or more that demonstrates compliance with the conditions necessary to become a legal citizen in Spanish territory.

The visa, which must be obtained before the application of the TIE, will be requested at the corresponding consular office, proving the reasons for staying in Spain, whether for economic reasons, non-profit reasons, family reunification, etc...