The NIE and the TIE are different and this can be confusing, especially if it is the first time you live in Spain or if you don't know the language very well.

 

The NIE is for EU residents and the TIE is for non-EU residents. Both require a different earning process.

 

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) refers to the national identification number issued to all non-Spanish persons seeking temporary residence for various purposes. It is an identification number that will be assigned to you when you obtain authorization to reside in Spain for a period of more than 90 days to carry out or extend your studies, and it will appear on all the documents assigned to you. The validity of the NIE will be one year. If your studies are longer than one year, you must renew it annually.

 

The TIE (Tarjeta Identidad del Extranjero) is the physical card where your data, your habitual residence, the institution where you study, your photo and your identification number will be recorded. The TIE will have the same period of validity as the authorization or recognition of the right that justifies its issuance. That is, it will be issued until the end of your course or until the date on which your internship agreement ends, for example.

 

In short, the NIE refers to the number issued to EU citizens and the TIE is the document issued to non-EU citizens.

 

To get your NIE, click here.

To get your TIE, click here.