The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the photo identity card issued to foreign nationals entitled to stay in Spain for more than six months. Your visa or permit gives you the right to stay; the TIE is the document that shows it. To get the card you must apply to the police in person and give your fingerprints, and this is done by appointment (cita previa).
Who must apply, and when
Under the new Regulation on Foreign Nationals (Real Decreto 1155/2024), in force since 20 May 2025, holders of a visa or permit of more than six months must obtain a TIE. The application is made in person within one month of entering Spain. If the permit was granted from within Spain, the period runs from the date the permit is granted or takes effect; for work permits, that date may depend on registration with social security.
There are exceptions. Some residence visas under Law 14/2013, including the digital nomad visa, allow you to live in Spain for the life of the visa without a TIE. If your stay does not exceed six months, no card is needed either. Check which group you fall into from the details on your visa or permit decision.
Each family member needs their own appointment, and everyone, including children, gets their own card. One parent accompanies young children to their appointment.
Not finding an appointment within the one-month period is a common problem. It is useful to keep screenshots and emails showing that you tried to book within the deadline.
How to book the appointment
Appointments are made through the government's official system, the Cita Previa Extranjería page at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es. Booking is free.
- Select the province where you will live.
- From the list of procedures, choose the fingerprint procedure. Its name usually begins "POLICÍA-TOMA DE HUELLA (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA)", though the wording can differ slightly between provinces.
- Choose NIE as the document type and enter your NIE number, name and nationality.
- Pick one of the police offices and dates offered. A phone number and email address may be requested for confirmation.
- Print or save the appointment confirmation.
If you do not know your NIE number, check your visa or permit decision; on national visas, the NIE is usually printed on the visa sticker. On the day, be at the stated address with your documents a few minutes early; late arrivals can lose their appointment.
If no slots are available, the system asks you to try again. Since appointments may be released at different times, it can help to try at different times of day. Paying intermediaries who sell appointments is unnecessary and means sharing your personal data with third parties.
Documents to bring
The list can vary by province and permit type. The core documents are:
- Form EX-17, completed and signed
- Your original passport and a copy, including the visa page
- A recent colour passport photo with a white background
- Proof of payment of fee form 790, code 012
- Your visa or permit decision (resolución)
- At some offices, a padrón certificate (certificado de empadronamiento)
- For employees, proof of registration with social security
The fee form is completed on the Policía Nacional website, sede.policia.gob.es, and paid at a bank; some banks also accept payment at cash machines. As of 2025, the TIE fee for a first temporary residence or long-term stay is €16.08. The amount depends on the type of permit, so make sure you tick the right option on the form. The TIE requires the code 012 fee; the code 052 fee used for permit applications does not replace it.
Since the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational in April 2026, the passports of non-EU nationals are no longer stamped at Schengen borders. Keep documents such as your boarding pass and ticket so you can show your date of entry.
The appointment and collecting your card
At the police office your documents are checked, your fingerprints are taken and you are given a receipt (resguardo). While the card is being made, this receipt, together with your passport, shows that you have applied.
How long the card takes depends on the province and how busy the office is; a few weeks is normal. In some provinces you need a separate appointment to collect it (recogida de tarjeta); in others, the collection date is written on the receipt. Take your passport and the receipt when you collect the card, and check the details on the card there and then.
The card's validity depends on the duration of your permit. When you renew the permit, you book a new appointment for a new card. Changes to details such as your address, marital status or nationality must be reported, and in some cases a new card is issued. If you need to travel abroad while the card is being made, check in advance how long your visa remains valid and whether you need a return authorisation (autorización de regreso).
When advice is worth getting
If the one-month period has passed, the appointment system does not recognise your NIE, or the details on your card do not match your permit decision, the issue needs to be clarified in writing with the relevant immigration office (oficina de extranjería) or police office. In such cases, reviewing your documents with a specialist helps identify the cause of the problem and the next step.
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This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Legislation and case law may have changed since it was written.