Applying for the NIE/TIE in Madrid
In this post Smart Insiders is going to be covering all the important information you need to know about becoming legal! What does this mean exactly? When you arrive in Spain you need to register with Spanish authorities if you are staying in Spain longer than three months. It seems daunting at the beginning but after reading we hope you find the process a bit easier.
NIE vs. TIE. What’s the difference?
First of all, A NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your Foreign Identity Number that is assigned to you by the Spanish Consulate in your home country. You will receive this when you get your Visa; the NIE is yours throughout your stay in Spain. The format of the number looks something like this: X1234567-Y
The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is your Foreigner’s Identity Card which allows you to stay after your Visa is expired. Likewise, if you decide you want to stay in Spain longer you will be able to renew the TIE instead of going through the grueling visa process again. Hence, the information, like your address, the school where you are working, and the period of validity changes every year. Above all, the time at which your card is valid is usually going to last from when your contract starts until the end of the contract. After that, you have ninety days to renew the card without having to get a new visa.
I am an EU Citizen and need a NIE.
Step 1: Request an appointment.
First of all, you need to request an appointment online by clicking here!
- Under “Provincia Seleccionada“, select “Madrid“
- In the next drop-down, select “Policia-Certificados UE“
- Click “Aceptar”
- On the new page, download and fill out the EX-18 form
- Scroll down the page and click on “Entrar”
- Fill out the required information and click on “Aceptar“
- Make your appointment (“Solicitar Cita“) and follow the instructions
Step 2: Gather the documents for you appointment.
Next, you will need to start collecting all the paperwork.
- Proof of appointment & application form
- Passport (original and copy)
- Receipt of tax payment (Modelo 790-012) made at the bank.
- European health insurance card or your private health insurance (original and copy)
- Document that certifies the reason of your stay in Spain
Step 3: Download and fill out the Modelo 790-012 form.
Next, before going to your appointment you will need to pay the 012 tax fee (model 790-012) in the amount of 12,00 Euros.
- Step 1: Open the Modelo 790-012 here.
- Step 2: Fill out the form with your personal information.
- Step 3: Click the section “Certificado de registro de residente comunitario o Tarjeta de residencia de familiar de un ciudadano de la Unión“.
- Step 4: Select to pay in cash (en efectivo) and leave the IBAN data blank.
- Step 5: Press “submit” and a PDF will be automatically generated that you will need to print.
- Step 6: Go to the nearest bank with the printed pages and pay the fee in cash.
Step 4: Go to your appointment.
Finally, on the day of your appointment present yourself at the designated location with your documents listed above! Another recommendation we have is making a copy of all your documents and keeping them in a safe place. As a result, if all goes well the appointment you will receive your NIE immediately!
I am a Non-EU Citizen and need a TIE.
When should I apply for the TIE?
You have 30 days to apply for the TIE once you arrive in Spain to apply for the TIE.
Legally, you must have the TIE to stay in Spain once your visa has expired. Consequently, if you plan on traveling around Europe once your visa expires, they will not allow you to re-enter Spain unless you have a a valid residency card.
You have 60 days prior to the expiration of your TIE and 90 days after it expires to start the renewal process.
You do not have to have a brand new card before those ninety days are up, you just have to show that you have been approved to continue living in Spain and that you have applied for a new card.
When will I get my card?
It takes 30 days for the card to be processed and made for you to pick up. When you go to your first appointment and turn in your paperwork they will give you a paper that you must bring back with you to pick up the card. On the paper it will have the earliest date you can pick up your TIE. Above all, if you’re renewing you will need to bring your old card, your passport, and the letter that says your card is being processed.
Step 1: Know your legal responsibilities. Request an appointment.
First of all, you need to request an appointment online by clicking here!
The current Spanish law states that is it obligatory for Non-EU citizens to register with Spanish authorities if you are staying in Spain longer than three months. Hence, the first step to doing that is to make an appointment within your first 30 days to have your fingerprints taken.
- Under “Provincia Seleccionada“, select “Madrid“
- In the next drop-down, select “Policia–Toma de Huellas (Expedición de Tarjeta)…“
- Click “Aceptar”
- On the new page, download and fill out the EX-17 form
- Scroll down the page and click on “Entrar”
- Fill out the required information and click “Aceptar“
- Make your appointment (“Solicitar Cita“) and follow the instructions.
Step 2: Gathering documents for your fingerprint appointment.
Next, you will need to start collecting all the paperwork you’re going to need to bring to your fingerprint appointment.
- EX17: Solicitud de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE): Original completed and signed, plus a copy. Download a copy here.
- Physical Passport: Copy of picture page, visa page, and stamped date of entry to Spain page.
- Carta de Nombramiento (Auxiliar) or University Acceptance Letter (Student)
- 1 Recent Passport Picture
- Modelo 790 – Código 012 (Tax Form) Download a copy here.
- Fingerprint Appointment Confirmation Document
Things they MAY ask you for:
Proof of Insurance: Original and a copy.
Volante de Empadronamiento: Original and a copy. This document confirms your local address. If you’re asked to present this at your appointment you will first have to become Empadronado and then provide document to officials when you have it. We recommend that if you know you’re not going to have an Empadronado before, you should make an appointment and print off the Appointment Confirmation Document to take with you to your fingerprint appointment to show that you are in the process of becoming Empadronado. It’s not guaranteed, but sometimes they will accept this and you wont have to return a second time.
Step 3: Pay the fee. (Modelo 790-012)
Next, you will need to complete the tax form. It is important to not copy these forms from a friend. Each document has a specialized barcode that is assigned to you and is unique to your payment.
Modelo 790 – Código 012 (Tax Form) Download a copy here.
- Step 1: Identificación: Put your personal information.
- Step 2: Autoliquidación: Principal should be checked.
- Step 3: Go to this section: Tarjetas de identidad de extranjeros (TIE) y certificados de registro de residentes comunitarios and mark the first box (TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos).
- Step 4: Declarante: (Localidad: Madrid / Date: Day of Payment in the Bank)
- Step 5: Forma de Pago: En Efectivo should be checked. This will automatically input the amount due in the payment box.
- Step 6: Enter the security code and then click Descargar impreso rellendo
- Step 7: Finally, print out the form (3 copies) that you will take to the bank with the amount due in cash.
- IMPORTANT: Above all, when going to get this form authorized by the bank you need to go between the hours of 8:00 and 10:00 am. Banks will not process this after these times.
- Most Noteworthy: 1 copy is for the Administration, 1 copy is for the bank, and 1 copy is for you to keep in a safe place.
Step 4: Go to your fingerprint appointment.
Finally, on the day of your appointment present yourself at the designated location with your documents listed above! Another recomendation is to make copies of all your documents and keeping them in a safe place. Once you’re there you will turn in all your documentation and have digital fingerprints taken. After this, you will be given the Resguardo which you will need to pick up your card. DO NOT LOSE IT! If you’re missing work or school and need a paper stating you were at your appointment, when you receive the Resguardo ask for a Justificante as well.
Step 5: Go pick up your TIE.
As a result, after the 30 days is up you will be able to go and pick up your TIE. You will return to the same location that you took your fingerprints. Remember to bring the Resuguardo and your passport so the Administration can identify you.
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Is there any other place in Madrid where you can get the toma de huellas besides Aluche? I have been approved for my tie renewal, but the wait time just to get an appointment is almost 3 months. In the meantime, I would love to travel without the hassle of making appointments for autorizaciones de regreso (about a month wait) and continually paying the taxes for it. Thoughts?
Hi Julia,
Thank you for contacting Smart Insiders.
In regards to your question about where to get fingerprinted, Aluche is the main office that is indicated by the Spanish Department of Immigration. The office where you get fingerprinted must be within the province where you will reside throughout your time here in Spain.
If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us again.
Hi! While my TIE is being processed, am I allowed to leave the country and get back?
Hi Sneha,
Thank you for contacting Smart Insiders.
In regards to your question, it is possible to travel outside the country while your TIE is in the process of renewal. For this you must apply for an Autorización de regreso (authorization of return).
You can find more information about the procedures at the official website: http://extranjeros.mitramiss.gob.es/es/InformacionInteres/InformacionProcedimientos/Ciudadanosnocomunitarios/hoja001/index.html
Best regards,
Smart Insiders
My NIE renovation is still under process. My NIE will expire in 4 days. Do i need to go back to my country and exit spain and wait for my papers? Another, if i wait in spain and my NIE expires but my papers is still under renovation is it illegal? Thank you!
Hello Flerica,
Thank you for contacting Smart Insiders.
In regards to your question, you have until 90 days after the expiration of your NIE to begin the renewal process. Therefore, you can still legally stay in Spain after your NIE expires, as long as you begin the renewal process within the time frame given. If you need to leave Spain during the renovation process, you must apply for an Autorización de regreso (authorization of return) to show to the authorities upon re-entering Spain.
Best regards,
Smart Insiders
I can’t get an appointment and my 30 days are almost up! What can I do? Is there a contact or an address for the office in which the appointments are held in Madrid?
Hi Olivia,
it is common for the police station to have limited availability, and it is recommended to book the soonest available appointment and then continue checking the site in case there are any cancelations that would allow you to have an appointment earlier.
In this case maybe the best would be to ask a lawyer for assistance because they have blocked different dates and can help people to get appointments.
Best regards,
Smart Insiders
Hi what if inmigración took my white paper (resguardo) when I was making my sons 1st Tie and now I dont have it. Can I still collect my Tie from the police station
Hi Julian,
you can try to collect the TIE without the receipt but you may not be given it and you may have to make another fingerprint appointment by asking for a duplicate card.
Kind regards,
Smart Insiders
Hi, I have not got my NIE physical card, though i have the number with me. This is my first time travel to spain and due to covid the entire situation is a mess. Now i want to go to my country and come back after 3 months, is that possible by any way. I cant get regresso because i dont have NIE card
Hi Mithra,
if you have a valid authorisation, and have not yet been able to obtain an appointment for fingerprints, you can apply for a return authorisation for a maximum of 90 days.
Kind regards,
Smart Insiders
Hi,
Do you know what to select to make an appointment for TIE renewal? Is it the same as for getting a TIE for the first time (Policia–Toma de Huellas (Expedición de Tarjeta)..)?
This is for a non EU citizen.
Also, are there addition documents needed for the renewal that weren’t required for the initial TIE appointment?
Thanks!
Hi Tyler,
to request the renewal of the authorization, it is not necessary to obtain an appointment and can be done by any public registry addressed to the office of foreigners by presenting the required documentation. Subsequently, when a favourable response is obtained, a fingerprint appointment is requested.
Depending on the extension or renewal requested, the documents to be presented may vary.
If you need help with the renewal process, don’t hesitate to contact us by e-mail.
Kind regards,
Smart Insiders
Hello! To register as EU, is it necessary to have the tarjeta sanitaria or is a work contract and social security number enough?
Hello Beatrice,
the best way to register as an EU citizen is to have an employment contract. That way, you are entitled to the Spanish health card, and to register as a resident here.
Kind regards,
Smart Insiders