TIE HoyTIE — the card that proves your residence
TIE is the physical card. NIE is the number printed on it. Both are yours for life, but only the card expires.
What is TIE and how is it different from NIE?
TIE is the physical card. NIE is the number.
NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your permanent identity number in Spain — format X/Y/Z-0000000-A. It never changes.
TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the credit-card-sized document that displays your NIE, photo, residence type and validity dates.
You can have a NIE without a TIE (while waiting for the card). You cannot have a TIE without a NIE.
Who needs a TIE?
Non-EU nationals with a residence authorization or long-stay visa in Spain.
This includes work permits, student stays, family reunification, and all standard authorization types.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens get a registration certificate instead, not a TIE.
What to do
Check every field on your card at the police station before leaving.
Bring
- Full name matches passport exactly
- NIE number format correct (X/Y/Z-0000000-A)
- Residence type matches your approval
- Valid from / valid until dates correct
- Top-right support number (E + digits) — needed for Cl@ve registration
Basis
Art. 210 RD 557/2011 establishes TIE as the document that materializes the foreigner's authorization. The NIE is assigned under Art. 206 as a unique personal identifier.
More questions
What is the support number on the card?
The number starting with E in the top-right corner. It identifies the physical card, not you.
You need it to register with Cl@ve. It changes every time you get a new card.
What if my card has an error?
Report it at the same police station before leaving. Correcting later means starting a replacement process.