Our guide explains what you need to know and how to obtain your NIE in Barcelona. The Identity Number for Foreign Nationals (NIE) is a unique number granted to foreign nationals in Spain. It is issued by either the Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or by the Police, and will give you permission to both live and work in Spain.
This article is written by Daniela Vorbova, founder of NIE.CAT.
Nie in Barcelona
What are the different types of NIE?
There are two types of NIE that EU citizens can obtain, you can either get a NIE number (a number written on an A4 piece of paper) or a NIE card (a physical green card).
NIE number (número de identidad de extranjero)
The NIE number is written on a white piece of A4 paper along with your full name, date of birth and nationality. Once you obtain your NIE number in Barcelona, the number itself has unlimited validity, but should be updated to NIE CARD if you plan to stay in Spain longer than 6 months.
The application process can either be completed by the applicant in person or through a legally authorised person (power of attorney), and requires you to fill out the EX15 form beforehand.
NIE card (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión)
The NIE card contains your personal NIE number as well as your name, date and birthplace, address in Spain and date of application. The validity of the card is also unlimited.
The application process can only be completed in person by making an appointment, and requires you to fill out the EX18 form beforehand.
The permanent NIE card will only be awarded if you can provide proof of one of the following:
- You have employment in Spain.
- You have sufficient financial resources to look after yourself.
- You are enrolled as a student and have private health insurance or an EU health card.
- You will be joining a family member already living in Spain.
What is the difference between a NIE and a TIE
There is usually a lot of confusion between the terms ‘identity number for foreign nationals’ (NIE), and the ‘identity card for foreign nationals’ (TIE).
NIE
The NIE is a unique and exclusive number that allows the administrative identification of foreign nationals with the institutions of the Spanish state. It appears on all the documents identifying the foreign national.
TIE
The TIE is a physical identification card which has recently been updated to prevent counterfeiting. It must be held by non-EU nationals authorised to stay in Spain for a period of more than six months or by all foreign nationals with a long-term permit. It contains a chip with biographical data and images concerning the holder, as well as the identity number for foreign nationals (NIE) and the type of authorisation for the stay or residence of the foreign person
How to get your NIE in Barcelona?
How to apply (EU residents)
You can make an appointment (cita previa) at the Oficina de Extranjeros.
As there is a limited number of appointments allocated every week, it can be quite challenging to get one. Our advice would be to search for an appointment on this website from 8:30am every day until you are successful. You can also contact an agency to help you get your NIE in Barcelona quickly and efficiently.
Documents required:
- The printed confirmation of your appointment.
- A supporting document showing why you need a NIE (e.g. the offer letter from the company hiring you).
- The EX15 form and an additional copy.
- The EX18 form and an additional copy.
- Your passport/identity card and an additional copy.
- Your European Social Security card or private insurance card and a copy.
- Proof of payment of the state fee.
In addition to bringing these forms and documents, you will also need to pay a state fee (€9.84 for the NIE number or €12 for a permanent NIE card), prior to receiving your official paperwork. The form allows payment to be made either in cash, or by direct debit from a current account. You can download the form from the link below.
How to apply (non EU residents)
For NON-EU residents to apply for a NIE in Barcelona, instead of making an appointment online you must either go to the Directorate-General of Police, or the immigration office on Passeig Sant Joan, 189.
For NON-EU residents to stay in Spain for longer than three months, the application process is generally more complicated and depends on the type of visa (student, work etc.), which must be obtained in the home country beforehand.
Documents required:
- The EX15 form and an additional copy.
- Your passport and an additional copy.
- A supporting document showing why you need a NIE (e.g. the offer letter from the company hiring you).
- Proof of your legal entry into Spain (e.g. a landing card – declaración de entrada).
- Proof of payment of the state fee.
Online procedures
Please note that there are certain procedures that can be done online, these include:
- Renewing your existing residency card.
- Modifying your residency permit.
- Starting the initial application for obtaining a student visa, for your Arraigo Social, for family reunification, for a residence permit as a family member of an EU citizen, for residences for minors and for residence cards for British citizens.
Study in Barcelona! Week
From October 20th to 27th, we hosted our Study in Barcelona Week! Each day featured speakers from a variety of organizations who offered valuable tips and advice for prospective students and parents considering a future in Barcelona.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Daniela Vorbova, CEO of NIE.CAT, and Dorien van Riel. In this session, Daniela guided us through the often-challenging process of applying for and obtaining an NIE and TIE. She also covered visas, insurance, registration, and everything else an international student needs to know before moving to Barcelona.
You can watch the full livestream via this link.
FAQ NIE
My NIE has been stolen, what do I need to do?
If your NIE has been stolen, the first thing you should do is file a police report with the Mossos d’Esquadra Filing a report assures that you will not be held accountable if someone else uses them.
In the event of loss of your NIE in Barcelona, you don’t need to file a report, but you do need to notify the police.
The next step is to request a duplicate of your NIE, you can do this by making an appointment online and completing the ‘Loss or subtraction of document’ form.
After you have submitted all the required documents at your appointment, it can take a maximum of 40 days for the immigration office to send you your duplicate NIE. Bear in mind that you only have 30 days to request the duplicate after the moment in which your NIE is stolen or goes missing.
About NIE.CAT
NIE.CAT is a consulting company that provides a professional advice about the NIE/TIE, relocation and legal services to foreigners who are moving to Spain and need help with administrative tasks. NIE.CAT operates in Barcelona and Madrid and is a team of professionals who moved to Barcelona and got through the whole process of getting a paperwork done.
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