Spain · Application requirements

Spain TIE / NIE (Residence Card) Requirements 2026

Non-EU nationals legally residing in Spain for more than 6 months on any long-stay authorisation — student, work (cuenta ajena/propia), family reunification, non-lucrative, digital nomad, arraigo, etc. Must apply within 30 days of arriving in Spain. The RD 1155/2024 reform (Reglamento de Extranjería), in force from 20 May 2025, expanded the arraigo categories and modernised application procedures.

Issued by Dirección General de la Policía · Last verified May 28, 2026 · Official source ↗

At a glance

Application fee

TIE card (Tasa 790-012): €16.08
Long-term renewal (5-year): €21.87
Underlying permit fee: €10–€200

as of May 28, 2026 · details

Processing time

Cita previa (smaller provinces): 1–4 weeks
Cita previa (Madrid / Barcelona): 8–14 weeks
Card production after huellas: 30–45 days
Realistic end-to-end: 45–120 days

details

Issuing authority

Dirección General de la Policía

Who needs a Spain TIE / NIE (Residence Card)?

Where to apply

Oficina de Extranjería (immigration office) or Comisaría de Policía Nacional (national police station) in the province where you live. Appointment must be requested in advance (cita previa) via sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es.

Fees

TIE card (Tasa 790-012): €16.08
Long-term renewal (5-year): €21.87
Underlying permit fee: €10–€200

TIE card fee: €16.08 (Tasa modelo 790, código 012), paid at a participating bank before your appointment. Long-term residence renewal (the 5-year card issued after 5 years of legal residence): €21.87. The underlying residence-permit application fees are paid separately, typically via Tasa 790-052 or 790-062, and range from about €10 to €200 depending on permit type.

Fees as of May 28, 2026. Confirm current amounts on the official source before paying.

What to bring

Documents and items you'll need at the appointment or with your application.

Form EX-17 (Solicitud de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
Tasa 790-012 payment receipt (€16.08)
Original passport plus photocopies of all stamped pages
Original residence visa or work/study-permit decision letter
Empadronamiento — town hall registration certificate, issued within the last 3 months
Two recent biometric passport-style photos (26×32 mm, white background)
Original NIE assignment letter

Need the photo specs?

Exact size, head height, background, and what gets rejected.

Open photo requirements →

How long does it take?

Cita previa (smaller provinces): 1–4 weeks
Cita previa (Madrid / Barcelona): 8–14 weeks
Card production after huellas: 30–45 days
Realistic end-to-end: 45–120 days

Fingerprinting appointment (toma de huellas) wait varies wildly by province: 1–4 weeks in smaller provinces, 8–14 weeks in Madrid and Barcelona as of 2026. Card production: 30–45 days after fingerprinting. Realistic end-to-end timeline: 45 days in fast provinces, 75–120 days in Madrid/Barcelona.

Times vary by location, season, and individual case. Always check the official source for the current backlog before you book travel.

Official source

https://extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es/es/InformacionInteres/InformacionProcedimientos/CiudadanoEstadosTerceros/index.html

Last verified May 28, 2026

Verify before applying. We compile this from official government sources and re-verify regularly. Fees, processing times, and rules change without notice — always confirm current information on the official site before you apply or pay any fee.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about applying for a spain tie / nie (residence card).

How much does the Spanish TIE cost? +

The TIE card itself costs €16.08 — the Tasa modelo 790, código 012, paid at a participating bank before your appointment. The 5-year long-term renewal card costs €21.87. The underlying residence-permit fees vary by category (€10 to €200) and are paid separately, typically via Tasa 790-052 or 790-062.

How long does it take to get a TIE in Spain? +

Realistically 45 to 120 days from cita previa request to receiving the physical card. Wait times for the cita previa vary enormously: 1–4 weeks in smaller provinces, 8–14 weeks in Madrid and Barcelona as of 2026. Card production after fingerprinting is consistent at 30–45 days nationwide.

What is the difference between TIE and NIE? +

NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your tax ID number for foreigners — a number, not a physical card. TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical residence card that contains your NIE and proves your legal status in Spain. EU citizens get a green NIE certificate instead of a TIE.

How long is a Spanish TIE valid? +

Validity matches your underlying residence permit. Under RD 1155/2024 (in force from 20 May 2025), initial residence authorisations are issued for 1 year, the first renewal extends 4 years, and after 5 years of legal residence a 5-year long-term residence card (residencia de larga duración) is available. The physical TIE card must be renewed each time the permit is.

Can I work in Spain with a TIE? +

It depends on the underlying authorisation. Work permits (cuenta ajena, cuenta propia, highly-qualified, EU Blue Card) explicitly allow work. Student permits allow up to 30 hours/week of work-related study. Non-lucrative and digital-nomad permits have specific restrictions. The TIE card itself lists the auxiliary clauses — read them.

What changed with RD 1155/2024? +

The new Reglamento de Extranjería (in force from 20 May 2025) expanded arraigo (rootedness) categories, simplified some application flows, and updated some validity periods. Initial residence is now 1 year, the first renewal is 4 years, and long-term residence is available after 5 years. Some pre-2025 applicants may have transitional rules apply.

Do I need to renew my TIE if I become a long-term Spanish resident? +

Yes — even long-term residents (residencia de larga duración) must renew the physical TIE card every 5 years. The underlying permanent residence status does not expire, but the card does. Renewal cost is €21.87 (Tasa 790-012 long-term variant).

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