In Spain, there is often confusion between the identification documents DNI, NIF, NIE, TIE, and CIF. While all of them serve to identify individuals or legal entities, each has its own specific purpose. Below is an explanation of the key differences:
DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad)
The DNI is the personal identity document for Spanish citizens. It contains basic information such as the holder’s name, photograph, date of birth, and signature. It is issued by the National Police and is required for identification purposes in situations ranging from banking to domestic travel.
NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal)
This is the tax identification number assigned to both individuals and legal entities in Spain. For individuals, it usually matches their DNI, much like how a sole proprietor in other countries may share the same tax number as the individual. For companies and other legal entities, the NIF is unique and used in business transactions, contracts, and tax filings. It may start with different letters that indicate the type of legal entity.
CIF (Código de Identificación Fiscal)
The CIF was equivalent to the NIF until 2008 and was used specifically for companies and legal entities. This designation was eliminated with Royal Decree 1065/2007 and replaced by the NIF. All business transactions and official documents now use the NIF instead.
NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
The NIE is assigned to non-citizens residing in Spain for reasons such as work, study, or property ownership. While its format is similar to the NIF, the NIE is intended to identify non-Spanish nationals.
TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
The TIE is the foreigner’s identity card for non-EU citizens. It confirms that the foreigner is legally residing in Spain and contains personal data, a photograph, and the holder’s NIE, as well as the type of residence permit. It can also be used to register dependent children under 18 or disabled children if necessary.
The TIE is comparable to a temporary residence permit in other countries, and it should always be carried to prove legal status.
In short: the DNI identifies Spanish citizens, the NIF is the tax ID for individuals and legal entities (CIF was retired in 2008 and replaced by NIF), and the NIE is the ID number for foreigners, printed on the TIE card for non-EU citizens.
What is an NIE number?
The NIE is an official identification number assigned to foreigners who intend to stay in Spain longer than a short-term visa allows. Anyone wishing to live in Spain for more than 3 months must register with the Spanish authorities and apply for an NIE, including EU citizens.
The NIE is a nine-character code consisting of a letter, seven digits, and another letter (e.g., X1337677Z). Whether or not you become a resident, you will need this number for earning income, paying taxes, renting or owning property, and paying bills.
Your NIE number remains the same even if you lose the physical document.
To live and/or work legally in Spain, EU citizens apply for a NIE certificate, while non-EU citizens (e.g., Russians) apply for the TIE card. Obtaining the NIE number is the first step toward applying for either of these permits.
What is an NIE card?
When people talk about the NIE, they may confuse the NIE number with the NIE card. The card is the green paper known as the EU Residence Certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE), which displays your NIE number.
EU citizens who want to stay in Spain for more than 3 months obtain their NIE number and then apply for the green NIE card. To do so, they must provide:
- Valid health insurance for the entire intended stay
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Proof of university enrollment
OR an employment contract with a Spanish employer
OR self-employed (autónomo) status
OR proof of cohabitation with a resident family member
The NIE card contains your full name, date of birth, nationality, address in Spain, and date of application. It does not include a photograph, so you must carry a photo ID along with it.
Family members of green card holders, even if they are non-EU citizens, can apply to join them as spouses, children, or other relatives. Successful applicants receive the pink NIE card.
How to apply for an NIE
An EU citizen who needs an NIE must complete form EX-15. If the NIE is needed for the green NIE card, the relevant form is EX-18.
You must request an appointment online (cita previa), allowing enough time to prepare the required supporting documents.
You can also fill out and submit form EX-18 online as part of the application for the EU Residence Certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE), but remember to print a copy and bring it along with the other documents on the day of your appointment.
You will need the appointment confirmation code and proof of your residential address in the jurisdiction of the police station or consulate—such as a certificado de empadronamiento individual from your local town hall.
Additional documents for the NIE card include:
- Original passport (plus a copy of all pages)
- Documents proving the reason for your stay (employment contract, university acceptance letter, etc.)
- Proof of sufficient income to support yourself during your stay (pay slips, bank statements, pension records, etc.)
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or private health insurance certificate
- Completed Modelo 790-012 form, stamped by the bank as proof of paying the application fee (around €12)
Important: Police stations or consulates will only accept documents that are officially translated into Spanish and apostilled or notarized if issued abroad.
What is the TIE card?
The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical identity card for non-EU foreigners legally residing in Spain. It allows you to remain in Spain for the duration of the visa in your passport.
EU citizens do not need a TIE (they get the green NIE card instead). The TIE is usually for non-EU citizens who intend to stay for more than 6 months.
The TIE plastic card includes your photograph and fingerprints. The front side shows your immigration status, date of birth, nationality, and NIE; the back side lists your place of birth, Spanish address, date of issue, and expiry date.
Eligibility criteria for a TIE are similar to those for the NIE card and require:
- Valid health insurance for the entire stay
- Sufficient funds for the stay
- Acceptance into a Spanish university or higher education institution
OR a valid employment contract with a Spanish employer
OR self-employed (autónomo) status
How to Apply for a TIE in Spain
The process of obtaining a TIE card is similar to that of getting an NIE card. If you only need an NIE, you complete form EX-15. For non-EU citizens planning to stay in Spain for more than 6 months, you use form EX-17 to apply for a TIE.
You must book an appointment in advance at the nearest police station, and this must be done within 30 days of arriving in Spain.
Naturally, to remain in Spain for 6 months or longer, you will need a visa and must apply for it before entering the country. This could be a student visa, a work visa, a digital nomad visa, or another type.
After completing form EX-17, print and sign it, and bring it to your appointment along with the appointment confirmation code, visa authorization, and the following supporting documents for your TIE application:
- Original passport plus a photocopy of all pages
- A document proving the reason for staying in Spain for more than 6 months (e.g., employment contract, university letter, marriage certificate, etc.)
- Proof of income
- Certificado de empadronamiento individual (municipal registration certificate) matching the address stated on your EX-17 form
- Health insurance certificate (or registration in the social security system)
- Modelo 790-012 form, stamped by the bank as proof of payment of the application fee (around €15)
As with the NIE application, any foreign documents must be professionally translated into Spanish and legalized with an apostille in order to be accepted by the Spanish police or immigration authorities.
During the appointment, if your documents are in order, your fingerprints will be taken digitally. The office will then issue you a white slip with your personal data, known as a Resguardo.
It typically takes about 30 days to print the TIE card, after which you can return to the same office to collect it. You must bring the Resguardo from your first appointment and your passport to verify your identity before receiving your TIE.
NIE or TIE?
Although the names are similar, the NIE and TIE are not the same document. Any foreigner, including a Russian national, can have an NIE as an administrative identification number without necessarily having a TIE. However, third-country nationals applying for a TIE as a resident card must already have an NIE.
An NIE number is not a physical document and has no expiration date, whereas the TIE is a physical card whose validity matches the expiry date of the visa in your passport. If your visa expires, your TIE will expire as well; extending or changing your visa requires you to also renew your TIE.
Who Needs an NIF in Spain?
Whether or not you participate in any economic or financial activity in Spain, you must obtain a tax identification number (NIF).
The NIF is your specific identifier for the Spanish Tax Agency, allowing it to monitor and track all operations, whether or not they are directly related to tax payments.
It is required for legal actions such as starting a company in Spain, registering as self-employed, issuing invoices, or purchasing property. It is also used for other legal procedures, such as obtaining a driver’s license.
For a foreign resident in Spain, the NIE usually functions as their personal tax identification number (though the NIE is also a general identifier for all administrative procedures).
Spanish citizens have their main identifier, the DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad), which also serves as their NIF (tax ID for individuals). If they start a company, they must request an additional identification number called a CIF.
What is a CIF in Spain?
The CIF (Código de Identificación Fiscal) is a tax number that identifies a company or legal entity in Spain. If you decide to open a company in Spain, you will need to request this additional number, as your personal tax ID is not sufficient.
The CIF consists of one letter and eight digits (nine alphanumeric characters in total):
- The first letter indicates the type of organization or business structure (e.g., A for public limited companies, B for limited liability companies).
- The next two digits correspond to the geographic region of the company’s registered address.
- This is followed by a unique five-digit number.
- Finally, there is a control character, which may be a number or a letter, calculated from the preceding characters.
Note: The CIF also functions as a VAT number. Officially, the CIF designation has not existed since 2008, as it was merged into the NIF system.
Requirements for obtaining a CIF:
- A written request for an NIF (signed by the company’s legal representative)
- Identification of the representative
- A certificate containing all company information (legal name, registered address, nationality, date of registration, legal structure, representatives, etc.)
What is an NIF in Spain?
In most cases, you will not need to request a CIF. For personal involvement in financial or legal procedures, you only need an NIF.
The NIF is your Spanish identification number and can take two forms:
- For a Spanish citizen, it is their DNI, consisting of eight numbers and one letter.
- For a foreigner, the NIF matches their NIE, consisting of eight digits and one letter (X, Y, or Z).
Both numbers are issued by Spain’s Ministry of the Interior.
Requirements for obtaining an NIF:
- Passport or another form of ID equivalent to a Spanish DNI
- Power of attorney if applying through a representative
- Proof of residence to confirm the relevant consular district
Difference Between NIF and DNI
While the DNI is the document identifying Spanish citizens for all types of activities, the NIF is specifically used for operations with tax implications.
Thus, if authorities simply need to identify you (e.g., signing a document or traveling abroad), Spanish citizens present their DNI and foreigners present their NIE. For any procedure involving financial matters (e.g., personal taxes), the NIF is used.
Where Can I Get My NIF in Spain?
Spanish citizens automatically have their NIF via their DNI.
For residents, the NIE functions as the NIF. To obtain an NIE, there are two options:
- Apply directly in Spain through the immigration office.
- Apply at a Spanish consulate in your country of citizenship (often for non-residents who own property in Spain or are applying for a resident card—NIE is issued along with the visa).
Because obtaining an NIE has become increasingly difficult, the government has created exceptions for those who urgently need an NIF.
You may apply for an NIF directly from the Spanish Tax Agency (without first requesting an NIE from the Ministry of the Interior) in specific situations, though this NIF will be temporary:
- Spanish citizens under 14 years old
- Spanish citizens living abroad without a valid DNI
- Foreigners who are not eligible to apply for an NIE
- Spanish companies
