NIE or TIE? What they are for and how to get them

If you have talked to friends or relatives living in Spain about bureaucratic matters, they have probably told you about the procedures they had to go through to apply for the NIE. However, this leads to confusion as the NIE is not a residence permit. Below we would like to answer some recurring questions we receive from people with an economic interest in Spain and people interested in residing in our country.

 

Should I apply for the NIE or should I apply for the TIE?

If you have talked to friends or relatives living in Spain about bureaucratic issues, they have probably told you about the procedures they had to go through to apply for the NIE. However, this leads to confusion as the NIE is not a residence permit. In the following, we would like to answer some recurring questions that clients with an economic interest in Spain and clients interested in staying in our country, ask us.

 

What is the purpose of the NIE?

The NIE is the identification number of the foreigner. It is the Spanish authorities' number to any foreigner who has a personal, economic or professional interest in Spain. For example, foreigners who want to buy a property in Spain, open a bank account, accept an inheritance, etc. must apply for it. It is important to note, and this is the difference with the TIE, that an NIE's possession does not imply a residence permit.

 

What is the purpose of the TIE?

The TIE is the identity card for foreigners. It is issued in case the Spanish authorities grant a residence permit to a foreigner.

 

How can I obtain an EU residence permit?

It is colloquially called an EU residence permit. Still, it is valid for citizens of the member states of the European Union and citizens of other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and citizens of Switzerland.

This card is only required if the stay in Spain is longer than three months. If the duration is less than three months, the possession of a valid passport or identity card is sufficient. Persons who are in one of the following situations have the right of residence:

- They are employed or self-employed in Spain.

- They have sufficient resources for themselves and their family members to avoid becoming a burden on social welfare in Spain and public or private health insurance that covers all risks in Spain.

- They are a student enrolled in a public or private institution and have public or private health insurance that provides full protection in Spain and ensures that they have sufficient resources for themself and their family members.

- They are a family member accompanying a citizen of an EU country (or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) who meets the conditions in one of the above cases.

 

How can I obtain a non-EU residence permit?

Those who have obtained a visa or residence permit in Spain because they are in one of the following situations, apply for a foreigner's card:

- Residence for foreign investors: this is the so-called Golden Visa. It can be obtained by people who have purchased a property worth more than €500,000 or if they have already purchased it after 2014. The main applicant (investor) can apply for the residence permit for his spouse and children and simultaneously for his residence permit. They must not have a criminal record, must have medical coverage in Spain and must prove the possession of sufficient financial means to support the main investor and his family.

- Residency for work: it is necessary to present an offer for a full-time job for one year, have no criminal record and documentation from the company proving the need for hiring.

- Non-profit residence: this is a first temporary residence permit for people who do not have a work activity. It is necessary to have no criminal record, health insurance with a recognized body in Spain and sufficient financial means to cover the costs of their stay and their return and those of their family for the period for which they wish to stay in Spain.

- Residence for family reunification: family members of a resident of Spain can apply for this permit. It is necessary to have no criminal record, have health care and have adequate housing.

- Residence except for work permit: among others, researchers and scientists invited by a state administrative body, professors of institutions with recognized prestige and media correspondents can apply for this residence.

- Residence for exceptional circumstances: It can be granted for reasons of international protection, humanitarian reasons, cooperation with authorities, national security or the public interest, cooperation against organized networks and as a victim of human trafficking.

 

 

At ILLESLEX ABOGADOS, we offer our services. We are at your disposal both for obtaining the identification number of the foreigner and for obtaining the EU foreigner's card and non-EU foreigner's card.

 

Leyre Steegmann Urcelay
ILLESLEX

 

 

 For additional information on the content of this document,
you can contact ILLESLEX at  info@illeslex.com

 

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