Residence in Spain for foreigners: EU, non-EU, NIE and TIE

Machine translation made with AI: it may contain errors. Please check the details in the official sources.

Important notice

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law is complex and has many particular cases. For your specific situation, consult the official sources linked here or a qualified professional (an immigration lawyer).

Three things that are not the same

NIE (número de identidad de extranjero, foreigner's identification number): a tax and administrative identification number. Having one does not mean you have residence.
Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE (EU citizen registration certificate): a document for citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland who stay for more than three months.
TIE (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero, foreigner's identity card): a physical card for non-EU foreigners who hold a residence authorisation.

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

If you are going to live in Spain for more than three months, you must apply in person for the registration certificate at the immigration office or police station of the province where you are staying. The Policía Nacional (National Police) website sets the deadline at three months from entering Spain and says the certificate is issued on the spot.

What is usually required (according to the Policía Nacional):

A valid passport or identity document.
Form EX-18.
Proof of payment of the fee (modelo 790, code 012). The amount can be checked on the Police website; we do not state it because it changes.
Documentation showing that you meet the requirements of Royal Decree 240/2007 (article 7). The routes are: working in Spain as an employee or self-employed; having sufficient resources and health insurance covering all risks; or being enrolled at a recognised educational institution with health insurance and a declaration of sufficient resources. Family members accompanying someone who meets those requirements may also reside. The specific documents you must bring are detailed on the Policía Nacional website.

After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for the permanent residence certificate.

A word of caution on the United Kingdom: after Brexit, British citizens are not covered by this general regime. According to the Ministry of Inclusion, those who benefit from the Withdrawal Agreement need the specific TIE under that agreement (the so-called "TIE art. 50 TUE"). The registration certificate is not enough to be exempt from the Entry/Exit System (EES) checks or from the ETIAS authorisation. Which document applies to you depends on your case: check the Ministry's official page (https://www.inclusion.gob.es/brexit).

Non-EU citizens

They need a residence authorisation (for work, family reunification, non-lucrative residence, digital nomad visa, etc.). Each has its own requirements and many are started at the consulate before travelling. Once granted, fingerprints are taken and the TIE is issued. The conditions for each route change frequently: check the current requirements with the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration and with the Policía Nacional.

The NIE for purchases and paperwork

The NIE is requested to buy a home or a car, open accounts, sign utility contracts or pay taxes. According to the Policía Nacional, it is applied for using form EX-15 and proof of payment of fee 790 code 012, at the immigration office or police station, or at the consulate if you are outside Spain. You must prove the reason (for example, the purchase contract). The Police state a maximum resolution time of five days from receipt of the application, and that, if there is no reply within that time, the application is deemed rejected. This period does not include the time it may take you to get an appointment.

Appointments and where to apply in the area

The appointment is booked on the appointments portal of the Ministry of Territorial Policy (link in the sources), choosing the province of Alicante and the relevant procedure. If there are no appointments available, you have to try again later. The Policía Nacional page on the registration certificate does not say whether an appointment is needed. Check on the appointments portal whether the procedure appears for your province.

Addresses, opening hours and the offices that handle each procedure change. We do not give any specific address: check the office that corresponds to your case on the appointments portal and in the Policía Nacional office locator (links in the sources). To see the immigration offices in the province, also use the website of the Government Sub-delegation in Alicante: https://mpt.gob.es/en/delegaciones_gobierno/extranjeria.html

Before you go: document checklist

Original passport or identity document, and a copy.
The form for the procedure (EX-18, EX-15 or other), completed.
Fee paid (modelo 790 code 012, where it applies).
Appointment confirmation.
Evidence of the reason or requirement (contract, resources, insurance, padrón registration, depending on the case).
Any other document required by the specific procedure: check the official page before you go.

Common mistakes

Confusing the NIE with residence.
Missing the three-month deadline (EU citizens).
Paying the fee with the wrong form or code.
Turning up without an appointment or booking the appointment for a different procedure.
Relying on intermediaries who charge for getting appointments.
Not renewing an expired authorisation in time.

Official links

Policía Nacional, immigration procedures (links in the sources at the top).
Appointments: https://icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html
Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.

Disclaimer: general information, not advice

This guide summarises public information as at 2026-10-05 and does not replace legal advice. Regulations, fees and requirements change. Confirm everything with the official sources before acting.