Your Step-by-Step Guide to the TIE
Everything you need to know to get your Foreigner Identity Card in Spain.
If you plan to stay in Spain for more than six months, you must apply for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), or Foreigner Identity Card. This document confirms your legal residence status and includes your NIE number. It serves as your official ID in Spain and is also required for entering and leaving the country.
Technically, you should apply for the TIE within 30 days of arriving in Spain. In practice, authorities tend to be flexible with this deadline, as they understand it can take time to gather the necessary documents and book an appointment.
The TIE application is processed by the National Police (Cuerpo Nacional de Policía – CNP).
EX-17 form
You can download the form from the official government website. You only need to fill in sections 1 and 4.
On the second page, write your name at the top, tick “TARJETA INICIAL” in section 4.1, and sign at the bottom.
The date format is: [PLACE], a [DAY] de [MONTH] de [YEAR].
Proof of payment for fee 790-012
This form must be generated online and printed for payment.
Choose the option:
“TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos.”
The current fee is €16.08. Select “en efectivo” (cash) as the payment method.
Once the form is completed, download and print the first three pages, then take them to a bank to pay. Note that some banks only process tax payments at certain times or on specific days, so plan ahead.
The bank will return two stamped copies: one for you and one to hand in at the police station. Keep the payment receipt, as you must present it at your appointment.
Passport-sized photo
It’s best to have your photo taken in Spain, since the local passport size can differ from other countries. Some police stations have photo machines that adjust to the correct size automatically.
Original passport and photocopies of the ID and visa pages
Bring your original passport and copies of the main pages (ID and visa). The copies don’t need to be in color, but they must be clear and legible. Most offices don’t make copies on-site, so bring them prepared.
Certificate of registration (Empadronamiento)
The empadronamiento serves as proof of your address in Spain and is issued by your local Town Hall (Ayuntamiento).
In small towns, you can usually go without an appointment, but in larger cities (such as Madrid, Barcelona, or Alicante), you must book a “cita previa” and waiting times can be several weeks.
To register, you need your passport and a rental contract or other proof of residence. Make sure your landlord allows registration, as some properties are rented informally and landlords may refuse it. Without being on the padrón, you won’t be able to obtain your TIE.
Once submitted, the certificate or volante de empadronamiento may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to be issued. This document is essential for your TIE application.
When you arrive at the police station, an officer will check that you have an appointment and give you a number.
During the appointment, you’ll hand over your documents, have your fingerprints taken, and sign next to your photo.
At the end, you’ll receive a “resguardo de solicitud”, a receipt confirming that your TIE application has been submitted.
Generally, your TIE card will be ready within 30 to 40 days. Your application receipt will include a LOTE number, which identifies your card. Some police stations display the currently available LOTE numbers on their notice boards or at the entrance.
To collect your TIE, you must book another appointment through the “Cita Previa” website, or on our website, selecting the option:
“POLICÍA – RECOGIDA DE TARJETA DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO (TIE)” (or in English: "POLICE – COLLECTION OF FOREIGNER IDENTITY CARD (TIE)").
Important
These collection appointments are usually easy to find. The police will keep your card for a limited time, so make sure to pick it up as soon as it’s ready to avoid it being withdrawn.