NIE and residence papers: which one you need on the Costa Blanca

Who this is for

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens moving here. Staying longer than three months, you register in person within three months of arrival and get the registration certificate (certificado de registro de ciudadano de la UE), known as the green certificate. It is issued straight away and carries your NIE. You show that you work or are self-employed here, or that you have enough money and health insurance, or that you study.
• UK nationals. Living in Spain before 1 January 2021: you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. Swap the green certificate for the Withdrawal Agreement TIE (€12) at the police - Spain says only that card exempts you from Entry/Exit System checks and ETIAS. Moved here from 2021 on: you follow the same route as other non-EU nationals.
• Americans, Canadians and other non-EU nationals. You come on a national visa from a Spanish consulate - for example the non-lucrative residence visa, which does not allow work and needs private health insurance and proof of funds. The NIE is assigned with the visa or permit. Within one month of arriving you apply in person for the TIE card (form EX-17).
• Not living here: buyers, investors, heirs. If you have economic, professional or social interests in Spain but live elsewhere, ask for the NIE number alone with form EX-15 and say why you need it. You must not be in Spain irregularly. From abroad you can apply through a Spanish consulate.

What you need

• Passport: original and a copy (EU citizens can use their national ID card)
• NIE number only: form EX-15 "Solicitud de NIE y certificados" - signed original and a copy
• EU registration certificate: form EX-18
• TIE card (non-EU residents): form EX-17
• UK residents since before 2021: your green certificate, if you have one, to exchange for the Withdrawal Agreement TIE
• Fee form 790 code 012, paid
• The reason you need the number (section 4.2 of EX-15); ask the office which papers it accepts as proof
• For a TIE: a recent colour photo on a white background, ID size (tamaño carné), and your visa or residence decision (resolución)
• For the EU certificate: proof of a job or self-employment, or of sufficient funds and health insurance, or of enrolment in studies
• Power of attorney (poder), if someone applies for you
• Your appointment confirmation (justificante de cita) from the e-mail

Where to apply - by town

Step by step

1. Work out which document is yours Number only, without living here: EX-15. EU citizen staying more than three months: EX-18. Non-EU national with a visa or permit for more than six months, and UK Withdrawal Agreement residents: a TIE card.
2. Fill in the form Download the forms from the Ministry of Inclusion (inclusion.gob.es). Fill in EX-15 in capital letters and bring the original and a copy. The applicant or their legal representative signs it.
3. Pay fee 790-012 Fill in the form at sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012 and tick your procedure - the NIE, the EU certificate and each TIE have different amounts. Print it and pay at a bank; you do not need an account there.
4. Book an appointment (cita previa) At sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus choose the province of Alicante, then an office or "Cualquier oficina" (any office). Under the National Police procedures: "Asignación de N.I.E." for the number only, "CERTIFICADOS UE" for the green certificate, "TOMA DE HUELLAS (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA)" for TIE fingerprints. Keep the confirmation code from the e-mail.
5. If there are no slots "No hay citas disponibles" means everything is taken: the official advice is to try again later, as availability depends on the office. For non-technical questions call 060 or the office. A representative with a power of attorney can apply for you, and from abroad you can use a Spanish consulate.
6. Go to the appointment Bring originals and copies of everything. The EU certificate and the TIE are applied for in person; minors come with a parent or legal guardian.
7. Get the result The NIE decision is due within five days; with no answer, it counts as refused and you can appeal (recurso de reposición, within one month). The EU certificate is handed over on the day. To collect a TIE, book "POLICIA - RECOGIDA DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO (TIE)" in the same system.

Fees and times

Common mistakes

• An EU citizen who already lives here gets "just an NIE" instead of the registration certificate (EX-18). The certificate proves residence and already carries the number.
• A UK resident from before 2021 keeps only the green certificate. Spain says the Withdrawal Agreement TIE is the only document that exempts you from Entry/Exit System checks and ETIAS.
• Ticking the wrong procedure on fee form 790-012: the NIE, the EU certificate and each TIE cost different amounts.
• Missing the one-month deadline for the TIE after arriving on a visa or after your permit is granted.
• Bringing one copy of EX-15: you need the original and a copy.
• Paying middlemen for "appointments". Booking on the sede website is free; the only payment in the procedure is fee 790-012.